Upper Neponset, next to Walpole town forest
This past week was a time of visiting rivers. I was taking my own advice for finding fantastic nearby foliage and hunting along waterways first to find some great spots to enjoy the colorful foliage season as it begins to show its colors. After visiting the Charles River along various trails, then capturing views along the Blackstone River, I was ready to head in a different direction. Continue reading
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Blackstone Gorge
We’re into the midst of foliage season here in southern New England. Although the day was overcast yesterday, it wasn’t raining, and I decided to follow the advice I’ve been giving folks who are interested in finding fantastic foliage near where we live: seek out your local rivers, streams and ponds first. Continue reading
Comments Off on Magical Places–Along the Banks of the Blackstone River
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Sculpture Park, Franklin, MA
When the woods begin filling with color, it’s as though I’ve forgotten this ever happened before. Some view fall as the harbinger of winter, but for me, it is the long-promised relief from the heat of summer. Continue reading
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My friend Sue suggested we do some exploring along the Charles River, so we set out early thing morning, with only a vague plan in mind. By the time we finished, we had visited trails in three surrounding towns, all of which access portions of the Charles River and/or tributaries of the Charles.
First stop was the High Street Trail in Bellingham.
Charles River, High Street Trail, Bellingham, MA
It is much easier to find the trailhead now that Sean Boddy, Eagle Scout, has completed his project(s) and made the trail much more visible, accessible, and easier to follow. Continue reading
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Triad Bridge, Millville, MA, still under construction
Our family regularly searches out railtrails in the New England area and we bring our tandem bike along so we can enjoy the sights for miles along these paths. Two bike trails are within 15 minutes of where we live, but we often make day trips to ride railtrails in neighboring states. I feel sure we are not the only people who are finding these trails to be a source of enjoyment and a great way to enjoy the outdoors and exercise at the same time.
There is so much happening on the SNETT, the proposed bikeway which runs from Franklin through Bellingham, on into Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge and Douglas. The Blackstone River Bikeway intersects with the SNETT through the Blackstone and Millville/Uxbridge sections, and thus the developing of one trail is actually developing both. Two for one–even better!
This past weekend we headed up Rt. 122 to Millville, MA, Continue reading
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Stone marker near parking area at Lane Conservation area, Foxboro, MA
Neponset reservoir, viewed along the trails of Lane Conservation area
When I first set out on my quest to document very local trails in the towns near where I live, I kept wondering what this had to do with my work as a personal historian. Surely these were two separate parts of me. Perhaps my life was headed in a different direction that I had thought. But slowly, in my travels I’ve come to realize that walking the trails and properties of south central Massachusetts is often a lesson in history, a tracing of family life, of walking the same track as many who have gone before me.
While visiting a new (to me) property in Foxboro, MA yesterday, I encountered not one, but two markers, memorials along the way. Continue reading
Acton Arboretum
The outdoors is for everyone! Here are some local arboretums I wrote about that have made extra efforts to be welcoming to all visitors. First published in the blog “Everyone Outdoors.”
Marjorie Turner Hollman
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.
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When you love the outdoors, you never know what might happen. My love of the outdoors, combined with my passion for my little compost pile, resulted in my being quoted in an article in the Boston Globe. Here’s the link to the Globe article:
But here’s the real scoop on my very exciting compost pile (essay below). Perhaps you have some stories about what’s happened with your compost. It is nice to know I’m not the only person who’s passionate about composting!
Peach tree growing from my rather unassuming compost pile
Dangerous Compost
“Do you have a compost pile?” the man on the phone asked me. I thought this was odd—a survey about composting? Buying time, I responded, “Excuse me?” The disembodied voice repeated the question, then, for clarification explained, “It’s your neighbor.” Continue reading
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Along the Blackstone Bikeway
Yesterday was overcast, threatening rain, but we ventured out with raincoats at the ready in case we encountered downpours. Because of the weather, we stayed close to home rather than drive a long ways, only to find ourselves rained out.
The Blackstone River Bikeway is only a few miles away, just over the border into Rhode Island. I particularly enjoy seeing the river as we ride. Oftentimes the Blackstone Canal is directly next to the trail, the river on the other side of the bike path. I have fun trying to figure out where the original tow path was. As we ride I wonder what parts of the tow path are preserved underneath the tarmac of the present-day bike path, and where the trail planners moved the pavement to better accommodate bike traffic.
When we come to scenic spots we stop to look around and enjoy the view. We always look for wildlife along the way, birds being the most common form of wildlife we encounter. Continue reading
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Fall foliage is all about… the leaves, of course. But it’s not just maple trees. Plants such as poison ivy also contribute to the show.
Poison Ivy
And even when leaves are changing colors, they are all on their own schedule. Continue reading
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Marjorie Turner Hollman 