Tag Archives: family portrait ideas

Umpachene and Campbell Falls

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their nonfiction books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

Umpachene Falls in springtime

LISTEN:

After an icy winter we were anxious to get outdoors and stretch our legs. Western Massachusetts was our destination. Finding some waterfalls was our goal. Umpachene Falls Park in New Marlborough, Massachusetts, was our first stop. This riverfront park includes a small grassy riverside space I’d describe as an Easy Walk, that is, not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing and something of interest along the way.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks

Losing (or finding) our marbles in Canaan, CT

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

Many of us have played with (glass) marbles when we were kids

LISTEN HERE:

My biggest surprise on our outing to western Massachusetts was spotting a large, open marble quarry. Hoping to get a closer look, we took a few wrong turns along the way. After dipping into Connecticut we finally got close enough to view the edge of the excavating operation. Specialty Minerals Inc. in Canaan, Ct. runs the quarry, but you will not find photos of it on their website. A locked gate and massive machinery next to the road prevented us from getting any usable photos, but others have managed. Do an online search for “specialty minerals inc.” and you will find some great pictures by photographers of the white, chiseled hillside.

After leaving the quarry, we stopped in East Canaan, Ct. at a sign for the Beckley Iron Works. It is Connecticut’s only official state Industrial Monument.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks

Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven, MA

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

Overlooking Buzzards Bay, on the Hurricane barrier, with Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven, in the distance

LISTEN HERE:

Where can you go in New England when the weather has handed you a week + of ice laden trails (and sidewalks, and parking lots, and paths to your compost)? For us, we chose to head to the shore, specifically Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks

Cutler Park, Needham, MA

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

LISTEN HERE:

Sunset at Kendrick Pond, Cutler Park Reservation

We have visited Cutler Park in Needham multiple times with family that lives nearby, but I keep forgetting to grab photos. This trip, I made sure to slow down and pay closer attention. More walking, less talking. The reservation is easy to get to, has substantial parking, and offers some nice water views of Kendrick Pond.

Steel rails remain in the parking area next to the trail

A remnant of the railroad that used to travel here is visible in the parking area next to the trailhead.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks

The Glen, Millis, MA

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

LISTEN HERE:

Entrance to The Glen open space trail

“The Glen” walking path was known in the past to area residents (and golfers) as the Glen Ellen Country Club. After the land’s sale to Toll Brothers, the site was developed into a 55+ housing community. Six different review boards in Millis advocated strongly to retain some open space there. Ultimately one hundred or so acres of the former golf course adjacent to Bogastow Brook is now open the public as a maintained walking trail system.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks

Danforth Falls, Hudson, MA

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

LISTEN HERE:

Danforth Falls

On a mild day in late December we headed to Hudson, Massachusetts to explore the area of Danforth Falls, a natural, not man-made cascade. Natural waterfalls are not a common feature in eastern Masschusetts.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks

Cape Cod Canal in winter

Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

LISTEN HERE:

Amazing views along Cape Cod Canal

We have visited the Cape Cod Canal countless times. As colder weather sets in we can count on seeing multiple flocks of eiders swimming near the shore as we stroll along the paved walkway overlooking the waterway.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks

Percé, Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec, Canada

Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

LISTEN HERE:

Percé Rock

It’s the rock that will grab you when you come around the bend in the road. Massive, kinda rectangular. My first view was near sunset. The light hit the massive stone structure just off shore and turned it a glowing gold-reddish hue. A small arch at the bottom, at sea level, added an intriguing detail to this iconic landmark, Percé Rock, just offshore from the boardwalk and bustling tourist town of Percé.

Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks

It’s the cobbles, at Gooseberry Island

Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

Visiting Gooseberry Island on a warm day (note the shorts–not what I wear in winter)

LISTEN HERE:

One of my favorite pieces of shoreline is on the southeast coast of Massachusetts. New England is well known for its rugged, rocky coast. This little spit of land, Gooseberry Island, juts out into Long Island Sound and has some sandy beaches and oversize boulders. A causeway allows visitors to drive out onto the island.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks, Meditations/Liturgies

Blackstone River Greenway/SNETT keeps getting longer (better!)

Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

Newest section of the Blackstone River Greenway/Bikeway now open!

LISTEN HERE:

Because the process of developing rail trails is such a monumental effort, the easiest sections are generally completed first. (Higher in elevation, already somewhat cleared, lacking encroachment from neighbors). Tying together these disparate, already completed sections of one proposed project is a challenge. When new connections are established the rail trail becomes more attractive for those of us who enjoy traveling by bicycle. And thus, my enthusiasm as we watched progress on the Blackstone Riverway rail trail extension from Blackstone, Massachusetts into Rhode Island.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks