Hike 1: Mt Warner. 10-2 o’clock Trail and parking conditions at Lithia Springs were so bad that we made a quick decision to hike at Mt. Watrner instead. Mt. Warner has an easy 2 mile loop that we love (and where we ALWAYS hoist a “flag” at the ceremonial summit). For a while we walked along a path that a leisurely porcupine had recently used. The remains of a magnificent giant of a tree (was it a chestnut?) stopped us for a while just so we could spend time there, thinking about it. There are 3 beautiful vernal pools at Mt Warner and we can hardly wait to return when they come to life this spring. The big event of the day was to raise a “No Pipelline” flag (I had made it actually) on the summit. After Tony tied it to a sapling we all just enjoyed being together again on the “summit” of Mt. Warner. Then a side track to see the long views of the Connecticut River, church spires, and distant hills . Capped off with blueberry pancakes and warm maple syrup at the Hadley Sugar Shack.
Hike 2: 4 – 8 o clock here in Conway Franklin Land Trust Pot Luck at the wonderful home and vasty acreage of Jack and Dana Lockhead. A very long steep climb took us to a stand of American Chestnut. One had at least an 8” diameter. Jack and Dana were honored with the title of Best Forest Managment Plan in MA two years ago. The company on the trail, the discussion of forest management, the chestnut trees and towering oaks were all inspiring, the pot luck feast filled with hearty food and conversation.
No hike today. But tomorrow morning I’m off to a tracking workshop in Heath and a gathering of the Swallow Project people in the evening. (Think “mud puddle”.) Signs of spring are creeping in; maple syrup season has begun. Stay well, Penny
Hike 2: 4 – 8 o clock here in Conway Franklin Land Trust Pot Luck at the wonderful home and vasty acreage of Jack and Dana Lockhead. A very long steep climb took us to a stand of American Chestnut. One had at least an 8” diameter. Jack and Dana were honored with the title of Best Forest Managment Plan in MA two years ago. The company on the trail, the discussion of forest management, the chestnut trees and towering oaks were all inspiring, the pot luck feast filled with hearty food and conversation.
No hike today. But tomorrow morning I’m off to a tracking workshop in Heath and a gathering of the Swallow Project people in the evening. (Think “mud puddle”.) Signs of spring are creeping in; maple syrup season has begun. Stay well, Penny
Leave a Reply