This year’s tiny tree
I’ve seen attempts at creating traditions. These are often well-meant efforts, often by parents, to do something memorable with their children that will carry on to others in years to come. In my own experience, these efforts often fall flat. It is the simplest things, often not intentional, that seem to take on a life of their own. Continue reading
Ten-Mile River at Hunt’s Mills
Ice on the fish ladder at Hunt’s Mills
The crown jewel of Hunt’s Mills, in Rumford, RI (a neighborhood of E. Providence) is the dam and natural waterfall, a very easy walk from the parking area at the end of the access road to the property. It’s hard to believe we were in E. Providence–the area has a wild feel to it, rocks and rapids, and some interesting ice formations. Continue reading
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Hopedale Pond, frozen
Until quite recently we have enjoyed relatively mild temperatures for December. Overnight the temps dropped into the teens and the pond at Hopedale Parklands quaked from the shock of the change. Continue reading
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Heading off to the fields at Oak Grove Farm
On perhaps one of our last remaining warm fall days, I set out from Oak Grove Farm in Millis. The walk was part of the “Easy Walks” presentation I’d provided for the Millis Public Library. We’d combined the slide presentation with a walk afterwards in hopes people would be tempted to come learn about the area and join us in the outdoors as well.
The audience was small at the library, and three people joined us at Oak Grove Farm, but two quickly set off by themselves, leaving only one person to walk with me. But another friend I’d invited showed up at the parking area and suddenly the tone of our walk changed substantially. Continue reading
View from Rollstone Hill, Fitchburg
My preference is to take easy walks, walks where I can relax, look around, spot birds, notice cool fungi or other interesting things along the trail. But I also enjoy seeing new places. We never know before we go whether we’re going to have an “Easy Walk” or whether we’ll encounter a place with more challenging footing. Continue reading
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Bright yellow leaves wreathe the entrance to the trail at Choate Park
The oaks are particularly stunning this fall as the foliage season stretches past what we normally expect. But there are also maple trees that did not seem to get the message that they were supposed to change color in October. Continue reading
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Walking in the parklands
All the stars aligned and several friends were all willing to meet at Hopedale Parklands on what turned into a glorious day to be outside . Two friends had never been there before, the third discovered the parklands after learning of it at one of my presentations. We had a lot of fun and a lot of silliness along the way. Continue reading
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Colors are popping right now
After traveling, I always have a hard time getting going–there seems to be so many things to get back where they belong, so many concerns to tend to. We’ve just returned from visiting grandboys in Tennessee. But right now the foliage in our area has simply “popped” and I can’t bear to miss it. Continue reading
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Maples are changing first
When driving around town and visiting other nearby towns to share pictures of Easy Walks in Massachusetts, I’ve kept my eyes peeled, watching for hints that leaf-peeping season is upon us. Continue reading
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Sugar maple in its blazing glory, in a cemetery in Mendon, MA
Find the “perfect spot to view the stunning foliage in New England is a matter of luck, skill, patience, and determination. A rainstorm can cut short an already short “season.” The leaves that were ‘just there” when you drove by may be gone by the time you can grab your camera to preserve that stunning view. Continue reading
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Marjorie Turner Hollman 