Posts

Artists' Bluff/Bald Mountain - Franconia, NH

Image
Last week we took the blog on the road to the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  While we were there, we completed one of our favorite hikes: Artists' Bluff and Bald Mountain , a sometimes challenging and steep 1.5 mile loop. To access the trail, park in the lot for Echo Lake Beach in Franconia State Park .  Exit the lot and turn right to walk a short distance along the road and then cross the road to the trail head.  Proceed up the trail for about .25 miles to Artists' Bluff - a lookout point with phenomenal views of the Cannon Mountain ski area and the Mount Lincoln/Lafayette ridge.  The trail itself is steeply uphill but well-maintained and well-marked with red blazed paint. To continue along to Bald Mountain, turn back from Artists' Bluff to find the well-marked trail with an arrow pointing toward Bald Mountain.  The trail descends for a bit and then heads uphill again along a forest path.  Once almost at the peak, the trail climbs up and over several...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nickerson State Park - Brewster, MA

Image
Today I ventured out for a rare solo hike at Nickerson State Park .  At approximately 3* miles, it was a bit longer than my kids typically enjoy, but for this thirty-something mom who's trying desperately to maintain some level of fitness, it was perfect.  Nickerson State Park is owned and operated by Massachusetts' Department of Conservation and Recreation, and daily parking fees ($8/day for MA residents) are charged from Memorial Day through November.  I used my DCR season parking pass and parked at the end of Flax Pond Road, near a beach in between Cliff Pond and Little Cliff Pond. I did the Cliff Pond Loop trail , which is described as a Signature Hike on DCR's website .  It was well marked with plentiful signage and yellow blazed paint.  The footing was mostly sand, with some pine needles periodically, and was mostly flat with just a few small hills.   The trail followed the perimeter of the pond and featured a number of breathtakingly beautiful w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary - Attleboro, MA

Image
Today we hiked with friends at Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary , owned and managed by MassAudubon .  There is no official charge to park or visit, though donations are welcomed.  While the trails are open, the buildings remained closed due to COVID.  We first discovered Oak Knoll when our kiddos were babies, and we hosted their first birthday party in the function room inside the nature center.  The attached barn has recently been beautifully renovated, and the areas surrounding the buildings include colorful gardens with native plans.   The property features about 1.5 miles of trails through forests and wetlands, and the trails are well-maintained and well-marked with blue markings on the way out, and yellow markings on the way back to the nature center.  We didn't see much wildlife on today's visit, but we heard from other visitors that a snake had been found on one of the trails. From the parking area, we started up the Talaquega Trail and took a brie...
Post a Comment
Read more

Marie Strese Property - Mansfield, MA

Image
In celebration of Earth Day, we recently participated in the 2021 Great Mansfield Cleanup organized by Keep Mansfield Beautiful .  Our assigned area was the Marie Strese Property  managed by the Natural Resources Trust of Mansfield , located in the Canoe River watershed.  There is a parking area near the corner of Ware and Branch Streets with room for several cars, and there is no cost to park or visit. While there was unfortunately quite a bit of litter in the parking lot and surrounding areas, the trails themselves were in great shape, and we were glad for the opportunity to take a hike in a local area that we had not yet explored. We took the blue and yellow trails , which, put together, offer a lollipop style route - with an out-and-back at the start and finish, and a loop at the end.  The trail starts through some wetlands, and the girls loved the skunk cabbage.  There are several boardwalks too, which the kiddos always enjoy.  In total, our route was ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens - North Andover, MA

Image
When we reserved tickets weeks ago for the preview of the annual Spring BloomFest at the Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens , we imagined touring the property on a lovely spring day.  Well, Mother Nature didn't quite cooperate.  We still enjoyed a lovely but  snowy  visit today. The Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens is owned and maintained by the Trustees of the Reservations - which today we were told is the oldest land preservation non-profit in Massachusetts, operating since 1891.  The property was the former summer home of Helen Stevens Coolidge and John Gardner Coolidge and has been lovingly renovated over the past few years, with beautiful, newly-planted and restored gardens throughout.  Technically still closed for the season, today's visit was free.  But the property is scheduled for a grand re-opening this week with the Spring BloomFest, which unfortunately is now sold out.  Regular visits will resume thereafter. Today we took a guided ...
Post a Comment
Read more