A new design, but the same footprint as the former boardwalk, and same wonderful views!
Stony Brook Nature Center, a Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk, MA has been without its beloved boardwalk for the past sixteen months, but the wait is now over and the boardwalk is open. Lots of info here on pages 6-7 of the Local Town Pages providing background on why the boardwalk has been closed for so long. Continue reading
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
View of Ipswich river from along the bike path
It was a perfect day to get out and our tandem bike was ready. We heard about a railtrail in Topsfield but had a hard time determining what condition the trail was in, or even if the trail was continuous, or broken up by highways and other barriers. And so we set out to discover for ourselves. Wonderful surprises awaited! Continue reading
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Along the Quinebaug River, Southbridge, MA
During the week I tend to explore trails that are pretty local, getting out quite early in the morning to beat the summer heat. But we often get out on our tandem bike on the weekends, and for that, my husband and I venture to new places farther from home. Last weekend we visited the U.S. Army Corps’ Westville Dam area in Sturbridge. But this past weekend we had an errand to take care of in Sunderland, MA.
On our way out that direction, we stopped for a short walk just downstream from the Westville dam. The weather was overcast, cool even, a surprising reminder of cooler, fall days to come. Rather than bring our bike, we opted to keep things simple and stick to walking. Continue reading
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Amazing view found at the WWI memorial park in North Attleboro
In the coming months, expect to start seeing more reports from the towns of Plainville, North Attleboro, Attleboro, Seekonk, and Pawtucket and E. Providence in Rhode Island. The TenMile River WAtershed Council is collaborating with me to create the third in the Easy Walks trail guide series, and they have been hard at work getting me reports, photos, and fieldwork information about trails and canoe and kayak put-ins in the towns that host the Ten Mile River. Much of what I’ve received so far has been in Seekonk and E. Providence. Plainville and North Attleboro, Attleboro are pretty close to where I live so I’ve started making plans to explore trails up closer to my home to contribute to the needed fieldwork for this project. Plus, I just haven’t been able to wait to see some of these special places for myself. Continue reading
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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
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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
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
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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
Marjorie Turner Hollman 