It's such a stark contrast to leave the greening valley full of trilliums and drive the rest of the way up to Laurel Bed Lake. As the road climbs, things become more like Winter again.  The high-elevation man-made lake seems to live in a world all its own.  This is something that never changes, but it also never grows old.  There aren't many signs of life up there this time of year, excepting the downy serviceberry, some partridge berries (our favorite easy-to-find woodland snack) and the first of the squawroot. 

This downy serviceberry was growing in the most unlikely circumstances.  It was in full bloom with a trunk that didn't look very optimistic at all.  By the look of the wood, it's been like for some time.

I suppose that's a lesson in truly blooming where you are planted.