Category Archives: Blog posts–Easy Walks

Asking for help

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On the trail at Birchwold Farm, Wrentham

Maybe it’s just me, but I have a terrible time asking for help. I’m much happier being the one who is helpful, has the right answers, knows just the right place to go to obtain whatever help you might need. Yes, it’s a learned trait, and one I came by naturally. My mom was the one people often turned to. They knew that if she didn’t know the answer, she would be able to suggest who could help. She called it, “Kuhl’s consultant service,” always said with a smile. (“Kuhl” was our last name.)

I worked very hard to avoid being the one who needed to ask for help until life events took over and there was little choice. Finding myself a single parent, boy, did I need help! Later, because of illness, I needed even more help. Thankfully, my life is much more stable these days, but there is still a lot I need help with. I was reminded of this today, as we set out for Birchwold Farm in Wrentham with our snowshoes, to enjoy the recent snowfall. Continue reading →

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N. Attleboro Fish Hatchery-Getting Acquainted with the Ten Mile River Watershed

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Bridge over the Bungay river, lowing toward the Fish Hatchery in N. Attleboro

We visited the “Fish Hatchery” in North Attleboro on a gorgeous blue-sky winter morning. https://www.fws.gov/northattleboro/visit.html

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Plan to visit Monday through Saturdays– the hatchery is closed Sundays and federal holidays. Continue reading →

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Walk-Fit: or, Making Friends

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Liz (on the right) getting the troops organized

I met Liz Myska along a trail as we joined others who had ventured out to help with a trail cleanup. For those who have never participated in these events, they are very social. Yes, we’re making the trail cleaner, but if you’re not careful, you may make friends who could change your life! Liz is one of those type of friends Continue reading →

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It’s Open! Blackstone River Bikeway, Blackstone

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One of the multiple bridges on the bikeway

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The Triad bridge–open and ready. Note the active train tracks to the left, the bridge abutment at the top of the picture, three train lines planned to cross at one spot.

Some folks have no idea what a special gift has been prepared for them. Others of us have been “chomping at the bit” as it were to get the last fences down and let us onto this special spot. Continue reading →

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Traditions

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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 →

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In Search of Quiet-Hunt’s Mills

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Ten-Mile River at Hunt’s Mills

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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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Winter has Arrived– Hopedale Parklands

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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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The Halt Leading the Blind-a Visit to Oak Grove Farm, Millis

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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 →

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How to find an Easy Walk-exploring Fitchburg

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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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Fall Just Keeps on Falling–Choate Park, Medway

Bright yellow leaves wreathe the entrance to the trail at Choate Park

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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