Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
The 8 arch bridge is best enjoyed off the trail. The arches are only visible to passers-by, but still, the views from the bridge itself–now that is what keeps me returning to this spectacular spot along the Holliston Upper Charles Trail.
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Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
We had a perfect outdoor fall day to try forest bathing at Elmbank in Wellesley, MA. The bright blue sky offered a perfect backdrop for the glowing fall foliage. The breeze provided a varying shower of leaves as the wind increased then died back down.
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Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
Publicizing my latest book, Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are, has been taking up a lot of my energy, so it was wonderful to get out on the trail with local grands over the weekend to help them enjoy the temporary Storywalk® posted along the trail at the SNETT in Bellingham near the Center Street entrance to the trail. New storywalks® will be posted each month
This handicapped accessible portion of the rail trail is busy these days, and got busier shortly after we’d finished reading the story when a group of folks hit the trail with the Franklin & Bellingham rail trail committee. Fortunately the trail is quite flat, wide, with extra space on each side of the stone dust trail where we could step off safely as groups of folks passed by. Most walkers wore masks, which we really appreciated.
The grands are both able to read these days, so it was fun to see them taking in the story page by page then rushing on to the next page of the story. They also took in the new signs posted by the rail trail committee, in cooperation with DCR, to identify various tree species along the trail. We got a little practice with our Latin as we walked.
Trolley Crossing Farm, which abuts the trail, has a produce stand next to the trail and local pumpkins were available.
The snag–you have to carry them back to the car with you.
My grands used some ingenuity to figure out a handy way to carry their small pumpkins, or as one said, her “pumpkinette.”
I had been on this same trail just the other day to tape another episode of our new Cable TV show, “Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are.” We wanted to highlight the storywalk® and learned about more railroad history from the rail trail committee member who walked with us that day.
It’s fun to travel, but it’s also wonderful to slip in short walks right around the corner from where we live. We are so lucky to have this great trail, still under development, available to visit whenever we want. Happy trails!
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, Easy Walks South of Boston 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.
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
In my quest to help get out the word about the newest trail book, Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are, I have reached out to various sources to arrange interviews. I will be on Stephanie Chandler’s Non-fiction Author’s Association podcast Wednesday, Oct. 14th at 1PM EST. Along with the podcast interview, Stephanie invited me to contribute a blog post about my journey. Here’s the post “Strategic Partnerships”--enjoy!
“The thing about strategic partnerships is…at least for me, they didn’t start out feeling very strategic. It helps if you find something to write about that you really love. In fact, it’s recommended, since you will be spending a lot of time with your topic, so you better have some pretty positive feelings about it, or else you are going to become unhappy very quickly. I really love to spend time outdoors. Even so, writing books about Easy Walks was not my plan, especially when I found myself unable to walk because of serious illness.” To read more: https://nonfictionauthorsassociation.com/strategic-partnerships-by-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, Easy Walks South of Boston 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.
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
We have state forests throughout Massachusetts, and are lucky enough to have several near where I live. Upon has at least two separate parcels of open space, the better known area where the CCC headquarters building stands off Westborough Road, and the parcel of forest behind Nipmuc High School on Pleasant Street in Upton. We visited this second portion of state forest on a recent weekend, and found almost no one on the nearly 2 mile loop trail that takes travelers alongside the West River as it flows on its way to the Blackstone River.
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Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
Last spring we visited Hop Brook Preserve in Blackstone and took in the views of the triple waterfall cascade tumbling down the hillside in this area that is clearly former pasture.
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One of my trail books, Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are offers lots of information to support those with mobility issues, including elders, parents with small children who need to use strollers, those who have been recently injured, and others who live with chronic mobility challenges. It also offers support to those who have simply never spent very much time on trails.
You may never plan to climb Mount Everest. (I have no plans to either!) Regardless of your challenges, the outdoors is not off-limits . With this in mind, I offer these suggestions:
6 “must haves” to bring with you on your next walk
Boots in good condition with lug soles will prevent slips and falls. Socks with good elastic will not slip inside your boots. (We line dry our hiking socks to keep the elastic from quickly wearing out in the dryer). Sun hats keep you from overheating or getting sunburns. Winter hats, mittens (not gloves) and layers of clothing help keep your body temperature in safe bounds. Comfortable pants with pockets offer a safe place to keep things like keys and cell phones.
2. Water in a tightly sealed container
Having water along on a walk is essential, especially in warmer months. In case of sunstroke, overheating, or suffering minor injuries, have a supply of fresh, clean water can make the difference between having to deal with an emergency and arriving back to the trail head in good shape.
3. Small pack to keep your belongings safely stowed
Purchasing expensive backpacks in not necessary. While there are many choices of smaller packs on the market, many of us have school back packs in the closet that will work great on the trail. Make sure you choose one with no holes!
Keeping your hands free to manage any obstacles on the trail is a great safety practice. Juggling water bottles, cameras, binoculars, and other things you thought to bring along can be distracting, and cause possible injury.
4. Headlamp to keep your hands free
Especially if you plan to be out close to sunset, having a lightweight headlamp in your pack in case you’re been delayed is a great tool to bring along to assure you see the trail on your way back home. Familiar trails look very different in low light.
5. Snacks for yourself and companions
Some gorp (high protein snack that includes nuts, chocolate, pretzels or other starchy snack) or protein bars can make the difference between feeling wiped out by the time you return and having the energy to keep an eye out all the way back to the trail head.
6. Fully charged cell phone
While cell reception can be spotty in mountainous and hilly areas, it’s still a great idea to have a fully charged cell phone within easy reach. Most phones take great photos, and you never know what you might see that you’d like to share with friends or family. Apps like Rockd https://rockd.org/ help identify underlying geologic formations you are walking through, or INaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/ for plants can add extra fun to your outings. Of course, a gps app can help orient yourself in case you have taken a few turns on the trail that have left you feeling confused about how to find the way back to your car.
Additional “Must haves” depending on your situation
You may have additional “must haves” that are needed for your comfort and safety.
If you have allergies and use an epi-pen, or an asthma inhaler, be sure to bring it along in an easily reachable place, and make sure your companions know where it is in case of emergency. We share the outdoors with stinging insects of various sorts. Exercise, and exposure to elevated humidity and heat can increase vulnerability to asthma attacks. Even for a simple walk in your neighborhood, if you have these medical aids, they should be included in your “kit.”
If you have concerns about your balance, bad knees, illness or injury, consider using hiking poles with rubber tips to help maintain stability.
In colder weather, bring extra clothes.
Depending on weather reports, rain gear in good condition is light, easy to bundle up in your pack, and good to have on hand for that unexpected down pour.
Your “kit” will vary with the season, and your individual needs and preferences, but having these few items in one place, ready to go when you are, will go a long way towards keeping you safer, and insuring you have a more enjoyable time in the outdoors.
Whether you venture on a new trail, or stay close to home, taking a little time to educate yourself, and being prepared, will help make sure that you look forward to “next time” whenever, and wherever it is. Happy Trails!
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, Easy Walks South of Boston 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.
Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
We are getting out very little these days hoping to avoid interacting with the Covid-19 virus. We are working from home, and making few social plans. After supper we headed out on a quick errand, and ended up doing a little exploring close to home. As we turned onto Mellen Street, off Grove Street in Bellingham, we hoped to find an access to the Upper Charles River. The sign said, “Bridge Out.” We stopped the car and continued on foot to see how close we might get to the river.
Continue readingFiled under Blog posts--Easy Walks
Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
An imagination is a terrible thing to waste; I practice using mine every day. At times well-intentioned people have advised me to “just relax.” If it were so easy, I would have become calm and serene long ago, unruffled as I anticipate life’s challenges.
For the most part, I’ve been surrounded by caring people who have been patient with my timidity, encouraging me, while staying nearby throughout the process of coping with change. Always alert to instances of “creative hand-holding,” I store these memories away, never knowing when they might be of use. Perhaps because of this, I’ve been drawn to beginners, fascinated by the transition from “I can’t” to “Hey, look at me!”
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Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
Since the beginning of the pandemic this spring, I have seen little of my sweet grands, even though they live in town. We are staying more remote than they have been able to, which has made visits difficult. But outdoor walks alongside Silver Lake work, with all of us wearing masks and walking apart from each other.
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Marjorie Turner Hollman 