Surrounded by 43,000 acres of state forest land, Black Moshannon State Park’s 3,400 acres of protected land with no cell service or wi-fi is about as private as public land can be. It took only a few steps onto Bog Trail for us to fall in love with the bog, the park's otherworldly freshwater wetland. The wooden path wandered through what biologists consider a diverse ecosystem. We considered it a glimpse of paradise.
We leaned in close to admire many new-to-us plants, like this delightful Star Flower. Three carnivorous plants call the bog home, and the pitcher plant Mike found kept our attention for quite a while. We didn't see any insects fall into its gaping pitchers; but our imaginations had no trouble conjuring up the demise of unwary flies and bees stuck in the waiting, sticky liquid. We knelt along the edge of the boards and reached into the cool, clean water to feel the spectacular masses of sphagnum moss while an impossible number of water lilies vied for space a bit further beyond.
Some places have a special magic about them — a magic that casts a spell on our hearts and leaves us longing for more. Strange, mysterious — in a good way. We'll be back.
