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
Tag Archives: finding easy walks wherever you are
Weather forecast keeps us closer to home-Brimfield Grand Trunk Trail
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What to do when it really rains in Ireland
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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The Burren Way and other Easy Walks-Ireland
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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Just outside my Window–Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, Ireland
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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Peek of small city life in Ireland
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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Seeking Easy Walks along the Wild Atlantic Way in Western Ireland
Sun setting into the Atlantic near Spanish Point, Co. Clare
My husband had wanted to visit Ireland for years. We recently spotted a new service flying to Ireland from Providence with Norwegian Air and decided to go for it. Summer temperatures rarely get into the 70’s in the summer so this would be a respite for me from New England’s summer. Jon longed to see the limestone karst areas of the Burren, which has some pretty rugged landscape. I hungered for time near the ocean, with opportunities to find Easy Walks. We found a perfect spot to spend a week in Ballyvaughan, County Clare, but were unable to get into the house rental till the day after we arrived. Continue reading
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Staying Close to Home on a Hot Summer’s Day-Blackstone River Bikeway Woonsocket to Ashton Mills
Hot day alongside the Blackstone River
I am truly ready for summer to be over. Besides berry picking, the lush greenery, and summer flowers, I really don’t love summer. The heat makes my legs stop working–really. But I need to get out. And so we set out on one of the most humid, warm mornings recently to take a bike ride. Close to home was the plan. Lucky for us, the Blackstone River Bikeway in Woonsocket, RI is a mere ten minutes from where we live. Continue reading
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Out on the boardwalk…Stony Brook’s boardwalk has reopened!
A new design, but the same footprint as the former boardwalk, and same wonderful views!
Stony Brook Nature Center, a Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk, MA has been without its beloved boardwalk for the past sixteen months, but the wait is now over and the boardwalk is open. Lots of info here on pages 6-7 of the Local Town Pages providing background on why the boardwalk has been closed for so long. Continue reading
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Riding the rails–Topsfield Linear Commons
View of Ipswich river from along the bike path
It was a perfect day to get out and our tandem bike was ready. We heard about a railtrail in Topsfield but had a hard time determining what condition the trail was in, or even if the trail was continuous, or broken up by highways and other barriers. And so we set out to discover for ourselves. Wonderful surprises awaited! Continue reading
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Hopedale Parklands–a familiar place, seen with new eyes
Marcia capturing cattails on the edge of Hopedale Pond
I’ve visited Hopedale parklands countless times since I first learned about this special place, probably fifteen years ago. Each season offers different surprises, and regardless of the season, there’s always something new to see.
But this morning’s walk was different in another way. I met Marcia at the main, Hopedale Street entrance, and we set off in the cool of the morning, before the day got too warm for me. Continue reading
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