Thursday Hikers

Beautiful Chesterfield Gorge was carved into metamorphic bedrock by glacial waters. We try to get there in every season, and today was a perfect late Autumn day for it after so many rainy days this week. The Westfield River runs freely and fast beside the trail. The trail is wide and flat so it’s an Continue reading

This was our first hike at Black Rock where “bouldering and rock climbing” is featured. After 4 1/2 miles of it we admitted to having had a wonderful and challenging day together. Remains of a granite rock quarry were exciting to see and esplore and the way to the “summit” was a wondertul and challenging Continue reading

This 4 mile hike is one of our favorites. We were excited to be there together again with such good weather and good leaf color. Off trail exploring is always irresistible as there’s there’s always so much to see. But we did need to py attention to the steady climb up and the steep way Continue reading

This historic and wonderful trail used to go all the way from Shelburn to Conway skirting the Deerfield River. (Now there’s a pleasant memory for me, Linda!) Now for a few sad reasons it no longer does go all the way to Conway. BUT what a wonderful day we had. Girls day out …and just Continue reading

With two photos from yesterday’s hike up Tony’s waterfall trail to the beaver pond. We found Fringed Gentian in bloom and also stopped and picked some of Tony’s wonderful raspberries. Today’s hike in Hawley was rainy yet very wonderful. Trails were soggy, but also wonderful. We searched for pieces of Hawley Crowsfoot schist, “one of Continue reading

Rain held off while we hiked today. I found a Caesar Mushroom (Amanita caesera), the second one I’ve ever seen. Very exciting!I This scarlet fungus looks as if it’s emerging from a white egg shell and believe it or not, it’s edible!! (History tells us that Julius Caesar dined on them.) This trail is so Continue reading

Won’t write much. Tired and nostalgic.We had a day of great friendship that was filled with everyone’s love for Tony. Thursday Hikers brought the wood that Tony and I had cut and split and stacked for my kitchen wood stove for this winter In the back of Elain’s truck and a few cars and several Continue reading

You might know that Tony has brain cancer and. by knowing him, you won’t be surprised that he’s dealing with it with the same love of life and grace.that he has always owned Today we celebrated the return of the Bob O Links to his lower fields, the blooming of the Polygalas (Gay WIngs) to Continue reading

Beckett granite quarry was in operation from 1860 until 1960. It supplied granite for monuments and structures all over the USA. It was Deb’s choice for her “birthday hike”and we all loved being back there again. When work at the quarry came to an end, trucks, all kinds of specialized equipment, structures of all sorts, Continue reading

Beautiful hiking today in the “hold your breath” season that’s happening between Winter and Spring. Donna and I had scouted the hike on Tuesday and found parts that were icily impassable, so rerouted today’s hike. Still lots of mud and icy patches, but perfect weather, and so much to celebrate* today. The newly appointed “Wire Continue reading