Heading out on the tow path on our Make Your Own Story Book hike
Working collaboratively is such an exciting experience. I’ve found that ideas bubble up when I open myself to others’ ideas, listen to what another person has in mind, and together we come up with something I’d never have thought of on my own. That may have been what happened when I met up with Kathryn, who works with programming at Riverbend Farm in Uxbridge. Continue reading
Willett Pond, E. Providence
I have been blessed with helpful collaborators in this latest book project of documenting the trails and places to paddle within the towns that host the Ten Mile River watershed. For those of you not immersed in this project, as I have been these last number of months, those towns include Plainville, N. Attleboro, Attleboro, Seekonk, E. Providence, and Pawtucket. Continue reading
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Sea smoke just off shore
The trails are icy hereabouts in the greater Boston-Worcester area. New Year’s First Day hikes have been cancelled, parking lots are slick, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, we heard about groomed ski trails north of here, at Acadia National Park in Maine. Yes, the weather has been below zero. And yes, some of us think curling up with a good book and a warm drink is the best way to get through the arctic chill. But some of us need to get outdoors. But going where the trails have snow cover is the best way to do that. And so we did! Continue reading
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Large beech tree at Thayer House Medway still holds on to a very few leaves as winter sets in
We’ve had some snow recently, then deep, deep cold that has turned the soft fluffy white stuff into the kind of surface that prompts one to think of ice skates. Turns out this has been a week I’ve been out on the trails quite a bit, so I’ve had the chance to sample many types of ice on the trails in the area. I hear we’re in for more snow, and possible rain, which will alter the landscape yet again so it’s anybody’s guess what next week will bring! Continue reading
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Views of the Charles River, from the slope above the river.
The blue sky this morning was so inviting, but between a husband with a sore throat, and family and friends with lots of holiday plans, it was after lunch before I tracked down a friend who could join me on the trail today. Yes, it was clouding over, and yes, the trail was icy, with just a light covering of snow disguising the ice along the trail. But the company was good, the wind of the past several days had died down, and where we needed to turn around we got our reward, which was some nice views of the Upper Charles River as it flows quite near the downtown of Bellingham. Continue reading
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Winter’s first snow in the woods behind Silver Lake, Bellingham
I often get the feeling I’m crossing into another place and time when I stride through the woods right behind my house in Bellingham. We live within sight of Silver Lake, which at one time was the local “hot spot” for entertainment of all kinds–a carousel carried wooden horse in endless circles in the beach area, and a dance hall offered Big Band tunes in the 1940’s. I hear there were even performing horses that dove into the lake from great heights! Continue reading
Views of the Charles River
Medfield State Hospital operated from 1892-2003 as a state mental hospital, sometimes referred to as an insane asylum. Now owned by the town of Medfield, the grounds are open to the public during daytime hours, and offer some stunning views of the Charles River. Accessed from Old Hospital Road, just off Rt. 27, north of Medfield Center, the property is surrounded by Charles River floodplain. Continue reading
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Almost directly behind the Attleboro Public Library the Ten Mile River flows through downtown Attleboro.
In years past rivers were viewed as convenient dumping grounds, a quick way to flush away unwanted…everything. The past 30 years has brought a sea change in how cities and towns value their watersheds. But a challenge remains. A lot of the infrastructure of local downtowns for the most part blocks, or turns its back on their rivers. The rivers were a big part of why the cities grew up where they did. Attleboro, MA is no exception.
The Ten Mile River and Bungay Brook, which feeds into the Ten Mile River, flows right through the heart of downtown Attleboro, Continue reading
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Along the lakeshore at Hopkinton State Park in winter
When I learned that my grandgirl might have sustained a concussion, I wanted to help. Turns out, getting her outside for an Easy Walk was what was helpful. Hopkinton State Park was near where I picked her up, and I figured a walk alongside the lake at this state park would offer some variety and mostly level footpaths, off pavement. Continue reading
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A favorite picture spot along the Blackstone Canal
Life has been moving rather slowly around here as one of us recovers from a back injury, the other from pinched nerves in the shoulder. What this has meant in practice is that we’ve stayed very close to home, rejoicing in the presence of local wildlife in the pond our home overlooks, but not straying far from home. Continue reading
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Marjorie Turner Hollman 