Tag Archives: nature

by | November 17, 2025 · 2:42 pm

Echo Bridge, Newton and Needham, MA

Echo Bridge in early fall

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. Learn more.

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Sign for Echo Bridge

We were looking for a nearby spot to take an Easy Walk when we were in Newton, Massachusetts. A place that offered something of interest for family members needing a break was our goal. While heading in one direction, we spotted a sign for Echo Bridge and Hemlock Gorge, along the Charles River at the Needham, Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts line

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by | October 2, 2025 · 2:18 pm

Exploring Stowe, Vermont

Along the Lamoille River Valley rail trail

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. Learn more.

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Our calendar to-do list is pretty big this fall. Before we tend to those tasks, and it gets too cold (for us) to bicycle in New England, we decided to take a break. Vermont is a New England state we have spent little time in. This was our chance to explore the Lamoille Valley Rail trail, near Stowe, Vermont.

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by | September 11, 2025 · 11:42 am

Long Dock Park, Hudson River, Beacon, NY

One of the many great views from Long Dock Park

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. Learn more.

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When traveling, we often find lunch spots along the way by looking at the map for what might be nearby. If we see a river, we then search for open space to get a water view to take a break from driving. On our way south from New England to see grandboys in Tennessee, we must cross the Hudson river.

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by | August 28, 2025 · 1:42 pm

Elk River Rail Trail, WV

Out of the trail in West Virginia

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. Learn more.

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The Elk River rail trail was not on our radar until we stopped for the night at a Harvest Hosts camping spot near Beckley, West Virginia. We were on our way home to Massachusetts after visiting grandboys in Tennessee. As we sat around the campfire next to our host’s riverside spot, they mentioned a rail trail alongside the Elk River that they had heard about.

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by | April 3, 2025 · 4:27 pm

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

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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.

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by | December 12, 2024 · 11:23 am

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.

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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.

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by | December 2, 2024 · 3:36 pm

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!

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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.

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by | November 10, 2024 · 2:05 pm

The Gaspé Peninsula and Halte Municipales

Aboard the “Colborne”

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

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When we planned our trip to the Gaspé peninsula we had no real idea what we might find. Online photos can offer some clues, and descriptions (like this!) may help potential visitors decide if they want to make the effort to spend time in any particular place. We have found that “on the ground” experience is so much more helpful than other ways of learning about an area can convey.

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by | October 20, 2011 · 5:53 pm

A Visit To Hopedale Parklands

By Marjorie Turner Hollman (courtesy of Bellingham Bulletin)

Hopedale Parklands, or “The Parklands,” as it’s locally known, is located at 162 Dutcher Street in Hopedale, and offers nearly four miles of walking trails on 273 acres, which surround Hopedale Pond. The broad open pathways give one the sense of walking on the carriage trails of Acadia National Park, which was being formed around the same time as “The Parklands,” at the turn of the last century. But rather than requiring a six-hour drive to Maine, it’s an easy trip on Route 140 to nearby Hopedale to reach this lovely outdoor space.

The Parklands has three entrances. The main entrance, where the town swimming beach is located, is on Freedom Street, easily accessed directly from Route 140. (Directions are included at the end of the article.) Continue reading →

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by | October 20, 2011 · 5:44 pm

A Winter Walk Along The Blackstone River Bikeway

By Marjorie Turner Hollman  (courtesy of Bellingham Bulletin)

Winter weather should be no barrier to enjoying the outside; the right clothing (lots of layers, well-fitted boots, extra changes of clothes) and caution about icy conditions will take you a long way toward having a good time regardless of the weather.

We ventured out recently on a sunny, albeit brisk winter afternoon to visit the Blackstone River Bikeway, which presently reaches from Woonsocket to Valley Falls, RI. The fourteen miles of bike trail along the Blackstone River are almost completely uninterrupted by road crossings.The Bikeway, part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, ties in to River’s Edge Recreation Complex in Woonsocket, with parking adjacent to the Hamlet Street Bridge. Continue reading →

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