This is a new hike that Donna and Deb scouted for us on a new trail just blazed by the Ashfield Trail Committee. It’s wonderful, and we look forward to having snowshoe hikes on it pretty soon. Beautiful forest, old growth trees, the Bear River just beginning to ice over, both steep and winding trails. As Tony is still unable to go hiking, I drove his car with Sukee in the back so Sukee could have a good outing. Her best dog pal Annie was also with us, so lots of dog nonsense along the way. (Chipmunks beware!) Beautiful bits of nature too, rocks, British Soldier lichens, a natural stone “bus stop” seat (but no bus showed up), and a stone that seemed to be hatching!! We didn’t wait to see what might have emerged from it though. We posed for a group photo by an astoundingly huge, and very old maple tree. Would that it could have talked about the history it’s experienced. This is an area of Massachusetts that was settled in the 1750s and earlier. We’ll all be looking up and reading what happened there during King Williams’ War. Nothing remains of Ellis and Phillips Fort, but just standing there thinking about life back then, and then hopefully learning anything about it will be highly interesting. After the hike we all drove back to Tony’s house with big appetites and our bag lunches so we could all be with Tony. It was a highly pleasant slow afternoon with the fireplace blazing. The great warmth of our friendship also helped us thaw out. It had been a cold day on the trail. and brownies, potato chips, cheese and crackers, olives, apple slices, grapes, apple cider all magically got added to the bag lunches. Tony is missed by everyone, but is making slow gains with his medical conditions. He’ll be OK , but it will take time. He continues to have twice weekly blood tests, his numbers are improving, he also might now have myesthenia gravis (sp) and he will begin PT in 3 weeks. In the meantime, he’s very tired, but no longer in any pain. He sends his good thoughts and love to ALL of you. Stay well and keep warm Penny 
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