Marjorie Turner Hollman supports nonfiction authors to self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Let’s get in touch.
Have you ever been some place and thought, “I might have been here before, but something isn’t quite right”? That’s how I felt when we stopped at a rail trail in an area we were exploring. I felt sure I’d seen the dam across the way. The sign said Dudley, (MA) Quinebaug Rail Trail. The pond looked kind of familiar. But the trail … looked was different.
When I returned home, I found the blog post I had written, and indeed, we had been there before. Yay! Memory still intact. But one of the strongest memories I had was when we encountered a portion of trail that had railroad ties and ballast (rocks!) still in place.
We had been on our bike, and the ballast made the path unrideable. We went only a few yards before turning around. Thanks to my documenting our earlier visit, I was able to confirm that we had been there near the beginning of the pandemic.
Because of concern about being infected by others, we had been searching for places to get outdoors that were uncrowded. Most developed rail trails at the time were jammed with confused and frightened people unsure where to go to get outdoors. Nearly every kind of indoor venue had been closed in hopes of halting the spread of Covid.
That day in 2020 when we arrived, the Dudley Quinebaug Rail Trail had no other visitors. We soon realized why. The path had lots of poison ivy on the edges and the track was narrow. The grade crossing at the street we encountered was steep and difficult to use. We pushed our adaptive tandem up the slope and onto the road. The other side of the waterway offered views of the dam that had created the pond, and a boat launch.
On our recent visit, this is where my memory was stirred. We’d been to this boat launch before. The dam was still in the same place. Picnic tables and benches now made for a much more inviting environment.
Several bicyclists passed us by. A kayaker slid into the water and paddled off. After having a picnic lunch next to the water, we set off by foot in the direction we had attempted to travel in 2020.
We continued walking about three quarters of a mile before turning back. I have been undergoing strenuous rehab on my mostly paralyzed right leg, associated with my participation in a clinical trial for Walkasins. This was probably the longest walk I had been able to take in six months. My legs are much stronger, and walking is much easier, and it was still a huge help to have a smooth surface to walk on. I suspect the improved surface was made possible by an infusion of federal funds designated for recreational trails during the pandemic. Thus the explanation of why the area felt so familiar. We had been here before, but I still felt confused.
The memory of the impassable trail was strong, but the farther we walked, the more disoriented I felt. Hmmm, some ballast rock was visible at the edge of the packed crushed stone dust path. Ah, yes, a remnant of an old wooden railroad tie peeked through the otherwise smooth trail surface.
It felt wonderful to get out on a cool (still summer) afternoon. Sun and shade alternated, along with delightfully dry air that eased my efforts to walk a distance. Water views and the fun of popping jewel weed seed pods provided entertainment along the way.
Some features of the location remained unchanged. But the most distressingly memorable aspect of our previous visit has been greatly improved. What had been inaccessible in the past had been made accessible, for which I feel very grateful. If you choose to plan a visit, I hope you will enjoy yourself as much as I did. Happy trails!
Marjorie
