A gaggle of ducklings skitter about in the water at Franklin’s sculpture park
What a pleasure to introduce friends to lovely local spots around the corner from where I live. Despite having visited both spots many times in the past, surprises awaited at both locations. Continue reading
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Large beech tree at Thayer House Medway still holds on to a very few leaves as winter sets in
We’ve had some snow recently, then deep, deep cold that has turned the soft fluffy white stuff into the kind of surface that prompts one to think of ice skates. Turns out this has been a week I’ve been out on the trails quite a bit, so I’ve had the chance to sample many types of ice on the trails in the area. I hear we’re in for more snow, and possible rain, which will alter the landscape yet again so it’s anybody’s guess what next week will bring! Continue reading
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Winter’s first snow in the woods behind Silver Lake, Bellingham
I often get the feeling I’m crossing into another place and time when I stride through the woods right behind my house in Bellingham. We live within sight of Silver Lake, which at one time was the local “hot spot” for entertainment of all kinds–a carousel carried wooden horse in endless circles in the beach area, and a dance hall offered Big Band tunes in the 1940’s. I hear there were even performing horses that dove into the lake from great heights! Continue reading
Views of the Charles River
Medfield State Hospital operated from 1892-2003 as a state mental hospital, sometimes referred to as an insane asylum. Now owned by the town of Medfield, the grounds are open to the public during daytime hours, and offer some stunning views of the Charles River. Accessed from Old Hospital Road, just off Rt. 27, north of Medfield Center, the property is surrounded by Charles River floodplain. Continue reading
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“The Crew” setting out to mark the trail
Each time I put together yet another Easy Walks book, this time for the towns that host the Ten Mile River watershed, Easy Walks and Paddles in the TenMile River Watershed, I try to work with local folks to make sure the trails that will be included in the book are well marked. This usually requires walking the trails, and seeing for myself what the trails are like. Continue reading
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Along the Grand Trunk Trail in Brimfield
When the weather forecast for Columbus Day weekend promises lots of rain, it makes a lot more sense to stay closer to home and enjoy what we can, when we can. Continue reading
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No rain dates for sheep or sheep herding dogs (or their shepherd). The work continues regardless of the weather
There was only one day (well, may one more, but mostly all afternoon that day) of our entire August-early September visit to Co. Clare when the rain fell in buckets the entire day. Other days often had mist, or overcast, two days were bright and sunny, but one day was clearly a “what shall we do so we don’t spend the day drenched?” sort of day.
As is was, we had already picked out a few “indoor option” destinations just for a day such as we had. We visited the sheepdog demonstrations at Caherconnell Fort which provided a tent for shelter for visitors. Continue reading
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View of the landscape and the ocean from the Blackhead trail, part of the Burren way
We spent almost our entire visit in Co. Clare, which is known for its karst features–limestone landscape that reaches all the way to the shore in many areas. My husband has a passion for caves and karst is where you’ll find caves (created from dissolving limestone). But this is also extremely rugged landscape and so finding Easy Walks for me to enjoy was a real challenge. Thankfully, many feet have trodden these paths before us, and it was a matter of discovering where those paths were, and where we were welcome. Continue reading
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One of the picture perfect days we enjoyed in Ballyvaughan
As part of our planning when we travel, we work to find a place to “park” me as it were, to allow me to rest when needed. My stamina is limited, but I love to experience what I can take in. We found the perfect spot for eight days right on the edge of Ballyvaughan, overlooking Galway Bay. Continue reading
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Narrow streets, crowded sidewalks, and the ruins of the local monastery are all part of the market town of Ennis
Before we could get settled in our “home away from home” in Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, we had a few necessary purchases to make, including cell phones that worked in Ireland, and maps we had been unable to attain prior to arriving in the country. From Spanish Point, where we’d spent the night, we headed to Ennis, a small city on our way to Ballyvaughan. Continue reading
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