Cable 8 TV “Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are” launching soon

Cable 8 in Bellingham/Mendon has agreed to partner with me to create an TV show visiting local trails. We will be talking about various ways viewers can take the ideas we talk about to safely get out on local trails and help them find Easy Walks in their own communities. Along the way we will be noting items of interest, local plants, foliage, mushrooms, and other fun items of interest along the trail

My friend Christine and her home schooled children joined us for this first walk. Christine has spent years studying ornithology (birds) and was such fun to have along with us as she spotted flocks of robins, grackles, and we heard woodpeckers pounding the trunks of trees in the woods at High Street Trail in Bellingham. We heard “teacher, teacher” and she reminded us we were listening to an oven bird. I may get that call ingrained in my mind some day….

Tyler from Cable 8 in Bellingham met us at the trailhead, and followed along, capturing views of us walking, but also got on tape various things we pointed out along the trail.

We showed him the difference between Virginia creeper (benign)

and poison ivy (noxious) and found an impressive hairy poison ivy root climbing a tree along the way.

We also talked about the improvements Sean Boddy made for his Eagle Scout project that has made the trail much more useable. The bridge over the intermittent stream, the trail markings, and the trail kiosk all have made the trail an easier place to visit.

This trail is relatively short (just a half mile out and back) to the banks of the Charles River. Along the way we saw much evidence of heavy dirt bike usage, which has torn up the trail to some extent. It has also seemed to make the roots more prominent, which forced me to pay closer attention to my footing.

We saw glimpses of color, but it is a long way from peak color.

After we finished taping I stopped on the High Street bridge the crosses the Charles River to get a few pictures of the stunning foliage right alongside the road. This area where the bridge crosses the river offers views of an extensive floodplain for the river.

In spring it is filled to the brim with water. Right now the river fills only an narrow channel. The trees in the distance are changing color. One maple offered a bright red display of color next to the river. But there is still time to get outside to take in the views.

Thanks to the staff at Cable 8 in Bellingham for their support, as well as Christine and her kids, for taking photos, and joining me on this first outing. Happy trails!

Marjorie

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors, and is the author of Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, More Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, Easy Walks and Paddles in the Ten Mile River Watershed, and Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are. Her memoir, the backstory of Easy Walks, is My Liturgy of Easy Walks: Reclaiming hope in a world turned upside down.