Tag Archives: travel

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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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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Medfield, MA rail trail

Trail head, Medfield Rail Trail

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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On a warm November day we headed over to Medfield, MA to visit the relatively new Medfield Rail Trail. The path is a work in progress as part of the Bay Colony Rail trail, with plans to connect with more of the rail trail located in Dover, Needham and Newton. The Needham and Newton portions are finished while the Dover section is in the planning stage. An updated map from December, 2023 details the completed sections of trail and the plans for further development of this recreational resource. It is also is part of the much larger trail network of the Bay Circuit trail.

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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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Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec, and Miguasha, UNESCO World Heritage site

Camping at Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec, on the Gaspé Peninsula

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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We left New England in late September. It was the beginning of our Gaspé Peninsula Tour, which soon became our East Coast Foliage Tour.

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Grand Falls, New Brunswick in Autumn

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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Grand Falls in autumn. The St. John River created this massive gorge and cascade

Choosing to travel to Canada when living in New England is not that big a challenge. On a recent trip we left from Massachusetts and headed for the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec, and stopped at Grand Falls, New Brunswick (NB) on our way farther north. After studying our planned route, we decided to include Grand Falls as an incidental stop along the way to the Gaspé Peninsula. Sometimes the unplanned stops along the way can be the most rewarding. Grand Falls was the perfect start of our travels north, beyond the border of Maine and the U.S.

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