Hiking the Basidiomycota Trail

You probably said "hike what?".  For those non-biology majors:

Basidiomycota:   is one of two large phyla that, together with the Ascomycota, comprise the subkingdom Dikarya (often referred to as the "higher fungi") within the Kingdom Fungi. More specifically the Basidiomycota include mushrooms, puffballs, stinkhorns, bracket fungi, other polypores, jelly fungi, boletes, chanterelles, earth stars, smuts, bunts, rusts, mirror yeasts, and the human pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus.

Hike: "Basidiomycota Trail" (Better known as the Red Trail @ Swayback Bridge), Sat. 07/16/2011, 08:05-11:28
Distance: 7 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy  Conditions: Trails wet and muddy in spots from recent rains.  Swampy area near trail head actually has standing water again.  Cloudy with light wind.  Infrequent drizzle, though none of the drops made it through the dense forest canopy during my hike.
Thoughts/Observations:
Okay, so why did I dub this the Basidiomycota Trail?  Mushrooms were everywhere.  GOD showed off HIS fungi today.  All along the entire trail, mushrooms and bracket fungi of all sizes, types, colors, and shapes were showing off.  Colors ranged from the "normal" white and ivory to brilliant oranges, yellows, and reds.  There were even a few large 'shrooms that were ivory colored with small blue lines -- they appeared made of porcelain.  I have seen different types of mushrooms before, but never this many and this varied.  The forest was full of these creatures. 

I must confess that I have not held the lowly mushroom in much esteem.  I considered the fungi as "less than" members of the plant kingdom and just a little above disgusting in some instances.  Upon reflection though, it is clear that GOD created these creatures for a purpose and that they ascribe glory and honor to their CREATOR in their design, beauty, and function.   

GOD told Peter in Acts 10 not to call unclean what HE has cleansed (speaking of the Gentiles).  Thank GOD that HE did not look on our outside and consider us "less than desirable".

Next time you are walking along and see the lowly mushroom -- remember these small "insignificant" organisms have a plan and purpose in GOD's Creation.  Much more so, HE has a plan for you and I.

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jer 29:11-13 (NKJV)