On and off showers were predicted so we took our chances and hiked the “rest” of the Ridge Trail in Buckland/Ashfield. We’d hiked a good part of it in winter when we came across the footprints of many many coyotes in the snow – it looked like a sort of coyote summit meeting but no doubt had a lot to do with coyote thoughts of mating. We spotted half the cars at the Buckland trail end, and I rode in the car with good dogs Annie and Sukee. It was quite amusing in the back of the car , sorry my photo of the dogs is out of focus but I’m sure you can sense their anticipation of the hike – and also imagine the steaminess of the entire car because of it.
We passed by the remains of a road begun in 1794 that gives pause and awe. See the photo of the remains of a stone bridge that was a part of it.
Well, the forecast of occasional showers was a bit off . We hiked through downpours with thunder overhead. We have one professional musician hiker in the group, and from up the trail the sound of singing started up. Here’s a photo of the group after a lusty rendition of “Singing in the Rain”. Gene Kelley stand back!
The forest was gorgeous with all the wetness and emergent spring growth. Here’s a photo of a huge stand of Maidenhair Fern just so new and fresh.
The cars were a welcome sight once we reached them. The hike had had a long long steep part which made reaching the ridge itself quite a relief. We sure were ready to dash into Elmer’s Store for some hot soup – “orange leek” today. Divine. No oranges, rather carrots and tomatoes for the color. It was Lissa’s birthday. Tony and I had baked her a bluberry pie which Elmers welcomed us to serve, even offered candles and forks and napkins and hearty birthday congratulations.
There’s much fun to be had on Thursdays. Join us someday. Love, Penny 

We passed by the remains of a road begun in 1794 that gives pause and awe. See the photo of the remains of a stone bridge that was a part of it.
Well, the forecast of occasional showers was a bit off . We hiked through downpours with thunder overhead. We have one professional musician hiker in the group, and from up the trail the sound of singing started up. Here’s a photo of the group after a lusty rendition of “Singing in the Rain”. Gene Kelley stand back!
The forest was gorgeous with all the wetness and emergent spring growth. Here’s a photo of a huge stand of Maidenhair Fern just so new and fresh.
The cars were a welcome sight once we reached them. The hike had had a long long steep part which made reaching the ridge itself quite a relief. We sure were ready to dash into Elmer’s Store for some hot soup – “orange leek” today. Divine. No oranges, rather carrots and tomatoes for the color. It was Lissa’s birthday. Tony and I had baked her a bluberry pie which Elmers welcomed us to serve, even offered candles and forks and napkins and hearty birthday congratulations.
There’s much fun to be had on Thursdays. Join us someday. Love, Penny 



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