Thursday Hikers

Is it possible to have too much fun? Today was a test for that. FIrst there was the ride to the trail head: 3 dogs and 4 humans in a compact car. Remember the old days of the circus cars? There were a lot of laughs along the way, but yes, everyone was very happy to finally reach trailhead:) We were thrilled to come to the historic charcoal kiln in Hawley; a stone structure 25’wide, 25’high, holding 25 cords of wood that produced 250 bushels of charcoal at a controlled burning around 1830 when coal and oil made it non profitable. It remains the largest of its kind in New England and is a great wonder to see from a distance, and certainly to go inside of it.. The 5 1/2 mile hike back to the cars was surprisingly icy and with last night’s covering of snow. We’ll all have to get out our snow shoes pretty soon. We paused and examined a beaver pond where we had stopped to pick and eat blackberries this summer. Nice memories for all of us! And was it a beaver or an otter that made tracks across the ice? And then! With the hat I borrowed from Lissa (because I forgot mine:) I had my photo taken with “weeds” the group was helping to collect for the table decorations in Bay Head. Also, see the specimen of Hawley Horneblend, a desirable rock specimen that I found and was the envy of many:) Last photo, the beauty of the day was everywhere. In the distance you can see red winterberry, almost aglow. Because we had dawdled with all the wonderful distractions along the way, we missed lunch at Elmer’s Store but happily settled for a piece of pizza at Country Pie Pizza in Ashfield. Sure do wish you could share these journeys with me. Guests are welcome on our hikes, so come on up to Massachusetts. Stay warm, Penny