Cub Scout Pack Hike

Today I led several cub scouts from our pack and their families into the Rockville Hills Park. Our destination was the lake at the top as well as learning the names of at least 10 different plants. We had back packs with water and lunches and headed west from the parking lot. We trudged
north through the ash quarry and several muddy areas, and got up-front and personal with the beautiful Poison Oak plants. Hopefully no one will get the dreaded rash from brushing against it. From the trail near Rockville Road, we could see the Green Valley Fault which cuts across the hills.
We followed the exact route that the missionaries did on Monday. The plants and flowers and trees we learned were: TREES: Mancinita, California Buckeye, California Laurel Bay, and Oak; lichens and moss; poison oak; FLOWERS: California Buttercup, Bluedick, Goldfields, Purple Vetch, Miners’ lettuce, popcorn flower, California Poppy, Fiddle neck, Stork Bill, Lupine, Sticky Monkey, Johnny Jump up Viola, Sun cup, Butter n Eggs, and Horehound mint.
We observed in the lake a Doubled Crested Cormorant, Mallard ducks, Canada Geese,
a Great Blue Heron, a Great Egret, and Turkey Vultures. While we lunched at one of the nice picnic tables, about 6 of the kids literally went into the lake and found frogs and tadpoles. Then they tried to dry themselves off on the nearby rocks. More clothes for the wash! Many lizards were found on the walk down to the parking lot.
This should accomplish quite a few areas for the cub scouts in their books. I love helping others learn about the world around them.