Thursday Hikers

We’ve been going to this beautiful “top of the world” place for at least 13 years of low bush blueberry picking. Thoughts of Tony, Kit, and Gwen stayed with us as we spread out with our rakes in the peacefulness of the blueberry fields. Once again the yield was good and it seemed as if Continue reading

Energetic 3.6 mile hike on some challenging trails in a beautiful forest in Ashfield MA. Like so many trails these days, upkeep is diminishing and we came across 5 places with sizable trees down over the trail. It added some fun to our day and we all agreed it turned out to be a totally Continue reading

We’ve hiked in all seasons at Wendell Forest. In June, the Northern Water Snakes never disappoint with their presence on the sun drenched rocks at the dam. They are sluggish in the warmth of the sun and we can get close to many of them – even a curled up baby today. (sorry, I didn’t Continue reading

Early on in this very wonderful challenging long hike we found a perfect place for a group photo. Some climbed up, and some stood their ground. We saw what we believe to be Marsh Violet with its very long stems. So pretty! Trails were mostly narrow with a lot of climbs, tree roots, and small Continue reading

The predicted rain held off and we had a fine day of hiking together. First 4 photos: Rattlesnake Plantain, many many many small Red Efts that we carefully avoided stepping on, a few Lady Slippers in bloom, and a dead tree that didn’t fall on any of us!! 2.4 very great miles of discoveries and Continue reading

The rain stopped this morning and we were happy to be able to get out together. Given the Spring Season, we went in search of wildflowers again. In order of the photos they are: Swamp Saxifrage (Tony loved these), Star Flower, Polygala (“Gay WIngs”), Dwarf Ginseng, Indian Cucumber, Ten Good Friends, and one of many Continue reading

Happy May Day, a good day to hike, to dance the MayPole, or even to protest. Our annual hike at Bear Swamp is one of our favorites as we go in search of Spring Ephemerals. Marsh Marigolds greeted us all along the road where we parked.Northern White Violets (or are they Canada White?) were plentiful. Continue reading

Briefly: 4 towns were intentionally flooded in 1939 in order to create a water supply (a reservoir) for the city of Boston. Today we hiked on good trails where once houses stood. Other whole towns are below the water in the reservoir. Stone walls designate old property lines and an abundance of Barberry (once popular Continue reading

Fantastic day today ! Great hiking weather in a beautiful forested area with fast running brook, beautiful trails, and nice climbs. The hikers were so happy to have Paul and Claudia and Paulie with us! They’d been looking forward to it. And the kids were wonderful!!! Full of energy….. they have great curiosity and really Continue reading

No woodland photos today! I wasn’t able to hike because of having some precancerous things removed from my face so I had to stay out of the sun. I met the hikers at Country Pie Pizza after their long hike at DAR in Goshen. I had a pizza slice with chess and broccoli, others had Continue reading