Thistle is a wildflower that grows with spikes all along the stem,causing pain to anyone who tries to bother it in any way.

When I was growing up, I went to summer camp. I remember all the scrapes I had along my legs from running through the thistle in the woods at night, trying to raid the boy's cabins before the counselors caught us.

It was amazing how those moments came back so clearly when I came upon this thistle.

This time I was prepared, wearing my boots and garden gloves while I tackled the stems.

We were interested when, on this late date in summer, we found fresh new thistle growing alongside the obviously dried up ones. Each were equally beautiful.