Marcia capturing cattails on the edge of Hopedale Pond
I’ve visited Hopedale parklands countless times since I first learned about this special place, probably fifteen years ago. Each season offers different surprises, and regardless of the season, there’s always something new to see.
But this morning’s walk was different in another way. I met Marcia at the main, Hopedale Street entrance, and we set off in the cool of the morning, before the day got too warm for me. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Gentle rapids on the Quineboag river
While I adore getting out on our tandem on any kind of usable railtrail, I have a real soft spot for trails that offer water views. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Out with our tandem in the summer, cooling vest on, cooling scarf as well, ready to have fun regardless of the heat
We love to get our tandem bike out on local, and not so local railtrails, but as we search the internet for information about trail conditions of various trails we discover, we find some consistent challenges. Websites are not updated. Parking areas often lack signage pointing to where they are located. And perhaps the most important issue–it is nearly impossible to ascertain trail conditions from the available information out there. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
When you have a bunch of kids, sometimes you need to whistle to get their attention!
Working as a personal historian, I never know what it will take to get someone talking. Some folks easily call up memories, while others need the stories drawn out of them. And then sometimes, all it takes is a whistle. MTH
It was just a whistle—I looked around but saw no one whistling, and the woman behind the desk was fussing with her phone. I finally asked her—“Were you whistling?” Continue reading
Filed under Blog Posts-Personal Histories
I met Nicole Vachon recently and we quickly “got” each other. She wanted to get out the word about the StoryWalk®s she had created locally. I wanted her to share “lessons learned”. So here we have a Guest Post from Nicole, with lots of links to more information. Here’s hoping this will encourage you to go out to create your own StoryWalk®! (Marjorie)
By Nicole Vachon
“Endangered Species: Fish, Birds, and Reading”
When I saw a StoryWalk® at the Burrell Elementary School in Foxborough, MA, where my children attended school, I loved the innovative and delightful way children—and adults!—could enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Igo and Taylor elementary schools in Foxborough also have Story Walk®s, newly installed this summer! Laminated pages from a children’s book are attached to wooden stakes, which are installed along an outdoor path. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Nicole points out one of the stops on the new story walk, newly installed at the N. Attleboro Fish Hatchery
I met Nicole at the Fish Hatchery to see the Story Walk she put together with her husband Shane, the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s N. Attleboro Fish Hatchery, just off Rt 152. What a joy to not only learn about what Nicole had done, but to hear the “back story” behind how she and her husband planned the walk, and even about how they chose the book to use. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Lake Street Entrance to the SNETT-older, town-made sign on the right, and newer, DR sign at trailhead on the left
The SNETT is within walking distance of where I live in Bellingham, and thus I’ve been able to keep a pretty close eye on any progress, or lack thereof, in making this section of trail more useable. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Along the Mass Central Railtrail in Rutland, wearing cooling scarf, cooling vest, with water mister on hand nearby
In summer, sweat is an important body function, part of keeping us safe from overheating. Inconvenient, for sure; unattractive, perhaps, but there you have it–our body’s way of helping us cool off on these hot, July days mid-summer. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Saying goodbye for now…
After nearly a year in the planning, the ten days of the Massachusetts Walking Tour’s visit to the Blackstone Valley and the Upper Charles River watershed is done. Now I’m hearing from those who missed the concerts in their towns, who had hoped to participate but were prevented for various reasons. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
The Walking Tour hanging out at High Street Fields in the shade
I’ve been hoping the Massachusetts Walking Tour would come to Bellingham for over three years now. The past year has been an intense time of planning, working together with Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards. And the reality has been as fun as I could have hoped. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Marjorie Turner Hollman 