13. Atwood heritage day

Week 13 10/16/15

We wanted to get together with Paul's brother Charlie, and what better spot then Erving MA at their childhood summer stomping grounds. We started with breakfast and a planning session at the Rail Yard Diner. Then we left one car at the top of the trail and drove to our starting point at the low elevation end.

A portion of our hike coincided with the Metacomet Monadnock trail - up to a ridge over Millers River.

The weather was nice, cool and breezy with good visibility. Here is a pretty waterfall near the start of our trip. This is also near the point where we took a wrong turn and had to retrace our steps. Even though these guys have been here many times, they claim the trails might be different now. Charlie also says he prefers feeling a bit lost. Uh huh. 

We skipped the turnoff to Hermit Cave. Why are landmarks named after hermits called "hermit" rather than the person's name? Maybe it sounds more romantic.

Here are they guys having lunch at the overlook. Paul and I had a modified Dave Hoag hiking meal (crackers, cheddar, sardines, and apple). No sardines for me though. Dad would have had Triskets and Crackerbarrel cheese instead of stoned wheat thins, an orange rather than an apple and finally a chocolate bar. Always. And part of the entertainment is to peel the orange with only one piece if possible.

Charlie's packed lunch was Chinese takeout!

This spot was a bit precarious over the river, as we looked for somewhere to take a group photo with the timer.

And a group photo including the photographer. We look cold. If anyone finds these red knit gloves, send them to me.

We recovered our car across the street from the Atwood/Wait family house where summer vacations were spent. No photo of the house here, which is now in the hands of strangers. Paul and Charlie remember no electricity or plumbing, but lots of things to do and freedom to explore.

Some of the Wait cousins own the back fields. Here is a house that Charlie says was built by their cousins for when they come to the area. The RV must belong to one of them also. Nobody was around, though. This is on the edge of a beautiful field surrounded by forest.