Thursday Hikers

Because of the rainstorm damages, it was hard to find a passable trail for today. I had “scouted” MA Audubon Conway Hills” for the group but a dilapidated bridge, soggy trail, and unusual swarms of blood thirsty mosquitoes ruled it out. So we decided to just “stroll” the dry cement sidewalks of Old Deerfield… and… Continue reading

We had a really happy day today exploring trails that were new to us, in the great company of our two good dogs, Livvey and Cash. Lots of single file trails through hemlock and oak and mountain laurel and plenty of big rocks for fun climbing. Only one other hiker on those trails today and… Continue reading

Six of the original Thursday Hikers had a beautify day together in Wendell State Forest. The Mountain Laurel is so “showy” this year and these trails were a great place to hike densely packed stands of them. As well, he rock formations along the trails were wonderfully interesting too. The trail we took, about 3… Continue reading

Six of the original Thursday Hikers had a beautify day together in Wendell State Forest. The Mountain Laurel is so “showy” this year and these trails were a great place to hike densely packed stands of them. As well, he rock formations along the trails were wonderfully interesting too. The trail we took, about 3… Continue reading

This 2 mile hike was mostly a climb up and then back down through beautiful scenery and interesting finds on good, but challenging, trails. We just kept on finding interesting things, including what might be “Candle Snuff Fungus”. When those slender stalks were tapped they exuded small clouds of white spores! They were about 3”tall.… Continue reading

I won’t be hiking for a least another 5 weeks, but I join the hikers for lunch on Thursdays after their hike. Look what they saw today! An Otter!! They think it was a young one. It was “screaming” at them, seemed frightened but just stood its ground then headed into the wter – rather… Continue reading

First photo is as far as Donna an I got on this hike!! At first the sides of the trail was leaf covered and negotiable, but soon it was totally iced over with a a watery melt on top. Shiny and as smooth as a skating rink! There was no ice in the river, the… Continue reading

It was a great day out 0n 3.2 miles of some rather challenging steepish trails with icy conditions. We had to wear spikes! FIrst two photos: picturesque snow mounds created by Tussock Sedge growing beneath them. Joe Zadroga’s Wolf Tree and perhaps dead Wolf Tree (note the branch construction on it). Icy foot worn trail.… Continue reading

The parking lot at DAR was snow and ice free so I felt a bit foolish wearing spikes but, because of my hip, I didn’t want to take a chance if there might be ice on any of the woodland trails. And oh my there sure was ice!!! We shared hiking poles and Conrad helped… Continue reading

The weather man forgot that today was to be our annual New Year’s hike, potluck lunch, and bonfire at the DAR. So not to be smitten, we drove through the freezing rain and snow and gathered at Donna and Tom’s house with our gourmet potluck offerings, plenty of tea and desserts, and a hilarious quiz… Continue reading