Thursday Hikers

Another great adventure with the hiking buddies.The Hume trail hasn’t been groomed since last winter, so we went through nearly primeval overgrown trails with three derelict wooden bridges to cross, and lots of beautiful mossy places. It was wonderful. After we hiked that trail, we wandered over to a trail that had been constructed as a part of a woodland festival this summer. Oh, my, it was pure delight. It had been designed with children in mind and I sorely wished that Claudia and Paul Gerard were with me. Carved dragons and dinosaurs, a tree stump filled with flat stones, roots wrapped in pink gauze inviting one to throw in a pine cone for good luck, and so so much more. (All reminiscent of, and perhaps inspired by, the work of Andy Goldsworthy).
Lt. H.G. Budd gave this 3000 acre estate to the Trustees of Reservations. We romped thankfully and thoughtfully on it today. The estate home itself was deliberately destroyed by fire as it could no longer be kept up by the Trustees of Reservations. Thursday hiker Conrad, who has been a member of the Cummington Fire Department since age 16, was the last men in it. He was to make sure that no one was in there before the fire was set! All that now remains of this gracious home are four sets of cement stairs that once led to terraced gardens. The thought of what must have been such a privileged life is poignant. (Once again, photos thanks to Tony) Enjoy September!! Love, Penny