Today’s hiking adventure began at Purgatory Creek Park.

We started our adventure at the park’s pavilion. Next to the pavilion there is a beautiful garden to stroll through and an honorable Veterans’ Memorial.

A wide paved trail looped around the Purgatory Creek Wildlife Area.

After crossing over our first bridge, we found an unpaved trail and decided to see where it led.

We found an amazing gnome house! We rang the bell for good luck.

While crossing the wooden planks, a family of ducks swam past us.

We jumped back on the paved trail.

Several white herons were perched high up in the trees grooming themselves.

We continued our hike on the Creek Valley Trail towards Staring Lake. Once again we found several unpaved trails that called to us to be explored.

Giant mushrooms!

The paved trail around Staring Lake offered several docks to view the lake. Giant water lilies were blooming near the shoreline.

Today’s hiking adventure was 7.9 miles.