9. The road taken/not taken

Week 9 9/23/15

Trustees of Reservations Areas in Central Mass

The first stop was Redemption Rock which is a tiny 1/4 acre reservation in Princeton at the site of the colonial hostage negotiation and release from captivity of Mary White Rowlandson (and others) by the Nipmucs, Narragansetts and Wampanoags. The Mid-State Trail passes through this way, so we followed it a couple of miles. Paul had hiked part of this trail with his brother, Charlie, and another part, up to the top of Mt. Wachusett with his brother, Phil.

Our second stop was Elliott Laurel in Phillipston. This is a 33-acre reservation which should be bursting with laurel blossoms in the spring. We enjoyed the meadow but didn't spot any monarchs.

Below is a beautiful hemlock grove in Elliott Laurel. The trails were a bit confusing and didn't seem to match the map. One area was very steep and promised an overlook but we did not get that far this trip.

Finally, after lunch we went to Petersham to visit a series of three reservations. North Common Meadow is 25 acres consisting of mostly a meadow area with a pretty pond and some apple trees. We ate a few. Here is Paul picking our snack. I tried to capture a shot of him leaping to the ripe apples but they came out blurry.

Brooks Woodland Preserve is as it sounds. I like to look for little details like this mushroom-covered log. Paul seeks vistas. 

The trail we chose in Woodland Preserve should have taken us just north of a wetland area. We compared our route on the map with the numbered signs along the way. After number 7, the trail petered out and we suspected that beaver activity had caused the trail to be washed out. I waited while Paul scouted around, crossing some dams and working his way back. We decided to backtrack and take a more northerly set of trails. Here are some of the beaver lodges.

We didn't make it to the third reservation, Swift River, this time. 

8. Roger Williams Zoo

Week 8 9/15/15

We planned to see some of the grounds of Roger Williams Park and also the zoo, but ended up spending our whole time at the zoo. It was a beautiful day with no crowds and we had a good view of most animals despite the heat.

The Rose Garden, Botanic Garden and Japanese Garden will be added to our list for another day.

We watched these red pandas for quite a while.

On this trip I learned the best response when your partner worries about being a bit "high maintenance" that day. One should say, "That's OK. I have a lifetime maintenance contract."

7. Gloucester

Week 7 9/8/15

This was a bit of a crowded week, but we took an opportunity to piggy-back a weekly outing with Paul's scheduled practice round for the Mass State Super Senior Championship Tournament. 

We first went to Stage Fort Park, a lovely facility, site of Gloucester's first settlers in 1623. We were happy to hear that we avoided a parking fee by visiting after Labor Day. We shared a picnic, then walked on some trails past the old fort and a place to sit overlooking the harbor.

Later, we walked around Gloucester city a bit and had dinner at the Cape Ann Brewing Company before heading home.

6. Wenakeening Woods

Week 6 9/3/15

An unexpected plumbing failure in our house put the damper on our adventure plan for this week. But it was a nice day so we spent several hours walking several trails in Wenakeening Woods in Holliston, owned  by the Upper Charles Conservation Land Trust. The trails connect with land owned by Bettania religious community and the Holliston Rail Trail. Bettania now allows people to hike their trails. (Plan for another day.)

A Boy Scout Eagle project is responsible for the handsome signage stations.

Paul suggested that I pose behind the tree. I wonder what I should think of that suggestion.

This is a large, active yellowjacket nest.