Category Archives: Blog posts–Easy Walks

by | September 28, 2015 · 12:04 pm

Great Progress on local railtrails, SNETT/ Blackstone River Bikeway

Triad Bridge, Millville, MA, still under construction

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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by | September 23, 2015 · 10:36 am

A Personal Historian Who Loves the Outdoors

Stone marker near parking area at Lane Conservation area, Foxboro, MA

Stone marker near parking area at Lane Conservation area, Foxboro, MA

Neponset reservoir, viewed along the trails of Lane Conservation area

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 →

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by | September 10, 2015 · 8:43 am

Acton and Arnold Arboretums Offer Accessible Easy Walks

Acton Arboretum

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.”

http://bit.ly/1EQ1gO1

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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by | September 8, 2015 · 10:51 am

Passion for Composting

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:

http://bit.ly/1IW1VbH

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 compost pile

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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by | August 24, 2015 · 2:25 pm

Surprise Along the Trail

Along the Blackstone Bikeway

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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by | August 21, 2015 · 9:38 pm

A Closer Look at Fall in New England

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

Poison Ivy

And even when leaves are changing colors, they are all on their own schedule. Continue reading →

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by | August 13, 2015 · 4:49 pm

Quiet Heroes

Trail at Macomber Reservation, Framingham

Trail at Macomber Reservation, Framingham

Do you enjoy walking on clear, open trails? Have you ever thought about the work involved in maintaining the trails you enjoy? Before I started researching our local trails for my Easy Walks book series, I thought little about who created and worked to keep walking trails open. Continue reading →

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by | June 30, 2015 · 1:06 pm

Happy Trails for Everyone in South Central MA

Hopedale Parklands

Hopedale Parklands

Everyone Outdoors is a blog created to be a community resource and recreation connection for people with disabilities, their friends, families, and supporters who enjoy the outdoors. I wrote a guest blog for this publication sharing 3 outdoor spots in south central MA that are not only Easy Walks, but are also inviting to those of all levels of ability.
http://tinyurl.com/qdudacm

Marjorie

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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by | June 10, 2015 · 12:09 pm

Hidden Jewels of MetroWest Walking Trails

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Mill Pond Westborough

Enjoy some “Hidden Jewels of MetroWest” in this recent blog post I shared with Massvacations.com

http://www.massvacation.com/blog/2015/06/5-top-spots-for-easy-walks-in-massachusetts/

Marjorie 

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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by | June 5, 2015 · 10:30 am

Blooms in the Woods, Dover, MA

rhododendrons

rhododendrons

We see many small flowers on our walks along Massachusetts woodland paths. But it was a real treat to discover an Easy Walk, a broad open cart path along the way to where huge, bright pink, showy blossoms were in full bloom in the rhododendron colony in Dover, MA at the Peters reservation, (a property of Trustees of Reservations). June is the time for rhododendrons.

Marjorie 

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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