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August 06 Wood River8-3-07
Wood River
Start Point: DEM area on Rt. 165 (Exeter) just before Mt Tom Rd
Ending: Wyoming Pond, Hopkinton (Rt. 3)
This was my 3rd time going down this stretch of the river. However, this would be my 1st time in a kayak...the other times I was in a canoe. I was disappointed with the water level. It was very shallow and required a lot of, what I call, shimmying to get over rocks and thru the very shallow areas. Aside from that, it was a nice way to beat the heat, as the temperature was in the mid-90's. We enjoyed taking a dip when we got to Barberville Dam (where we had to carry our kayaks across the road to continue on) and watching the wildlife. The turtles were really enjoying their sunbathing today. We must have seen about a dozen here and there. And there were tons of dragon flies! The hawk flying down river was a treat as well as seeing the heron, who was being camera shy.
August 05 Wandering thru GlocesterGlocester, RI
7-28-07
Located in northwest Rhode Island and established in 1639, the town of Glocester is rich in history. As we wandered thru, we stopped to check out the oldest pound in the country (circa 1749) located on the corner of Rt. 102 & Pound Road in the village of Chepachet. As we continued on thru town, there were many historic houses, along with a school house, on route. We stopped at Stone Mill Antiques and talked to Debbie (the owner) who was super friendly and chatty and gave us a history of the building. After meandering thru her store for a bit, we continued on, finding ourselves in the George Washington Management Area. We rode thru the camping area which looked inviting. The camp sites were spaced out pretty nicely and it was very quiet. I didn't see any ammenities, though, only portable restrooms. There was a good size pond that people were fishing in but looked unsuitable for swimming. As we continued on we came across a covered bridge and it seemed like we were in another state. We ended up at Pulaski Park but decided to cut thru a dirt road to try to head north to another camping area at Wakefield Pond. The further we went, the more desolate it became and the crazier the road got. We were full-on off roading at this point. I think we may have been on Munyon Trail. We possibly would have continued on until we got to the top of a hill and just saw more and more of the same road until we couldn't see any more. On top of that, it was getting to be almost dark and we were pretty sure that AAA wouldn't come to our rescue out there. We will have to save that excursion for another day.
Some links to check out:
June 08 Rome PointRome Point
John H. Chafee Nature Preserve
Village of Hamilton
North Kingstown, RI
4/20/07
I'd read about Rome Point about a year ago. I'd never heard of it before then. It was listed in Rhode Island Off the Beaten Path. Blue skies were abundant and we needed a different place to check out and I was hoping to see the seals that it is so well-known for. As we started down the path, I suppose it was pretty boring aside from the few birds we saw until we reached the shell-lined beach. And when I say shells, I mean don't try this barefooted. There was no sand what-so-ever but there were lots of shells and it was very rocky as well. Oh, and there were tons of starfish. Terri was trying to be polite and was throwing them back into the ocean but gave up after about 20 or so. I even threw a few in myself. It became obvious our intentions were irrelevant. Especially as we proceeded farther down the beach. There were dozens upon dozens in about a 20 ft by 2 ft area. I took a picture because it was so crazy. Once we reached the point we couldn't really see anything on the rocks. But they were far away and we were happy when a woman with a dog let us borrow her binoculars. The seals were all over the rocks, basking in the sun, leaping into the water. It was awesome! I read that 169 seals were once spotted here at the same time. I can't even imagine. After we lingered here a bit, we started on a different path back that went thru the woods in the middle of the peninsula with Narragansett Bay on the left and Bissell Cove on the right. The water looked so inviting all I could think about was coming back in the summer to swim & kayak. Check out the link: http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/rhodeisland/articles/2004/01/04/rome_point_draws_nature_lovers/ April 14 Missing Blog EntriesWell, it's been a bit since I have blogged. I threw a bunch of photos up on here the other day from like 5 different escapades and feel bad that I didn't share the experiences. I know how disappointed you must be :( Actually, I haven't done a whole lot of hiking...it's seems more like exploring or meandering, depending on the destination. I have been to a couple of new places which I enjoyed but didn't complete.
CAROLINA (SOUTH) MANAGEMENT AREA
Richmond, RI
4-7-07
I really couldn't believe it was April. I had ear thingies on and mittens! It was dreary and gave the place an eerie feel which oddly, seemed natural. Maybe it was the old, collapsed barn, the historical cemetary in the middle of the woods with a white picket fence around it, or the fact that we were alone. I don't know. Not sure if the maps were bad or if there were just too many side trails to take but we seemed lost at times (although everything seemed to circle around) and missed a few points of interest such as a cellar hole and a canoe campground on the river. The trail went from woods to fields to woods and back to fields. I later discovered that some of the fields are used to grow grains to attract game. Apparently this is a popular hunting spot so make sure to wear orange during hunting season. I hear it is also a place for fishing as well as mountain biking. Aside from that, we walked for quite a while, joining the North South Trail at a point for a portion of the way. We lingered at the barn for awhile before stopping at the stone bridge and visiting the cemetary. Dogs were allowed here as long as they are leashed but beware...after the hike we found about a dozen ticks on each of the dogs. I thought it was still a little early for the ticks but what do I know? Click here for more info:
ARCADIA MANAGEMENT AREA
Mt. Tom Trail
Exeter, RI
4-6-07
No matter how many times I visit here I never tire of it. The funny thing is that I have never completed the whole trail. I always just drive right to the pull-off on Mt Tom Road, hike to the top then turn around and come back down. One of these days I have to hike the whole trail. Ironically, I was here on Good Friday last year, as well, except the weather was much nicer. Not that today was bad, but it was windy & cold when we reached the top. Check out the few pictures I have but understand that they do the scenery no justice at all. The history: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/legacy/legacy_places/ri/text/ri_12_1999.htm
The trail: http://newportvisions.com/home/arcadia2.html
GILBERT HILLS STATE FOREST
Foxboro, MA
4-6-07
I know. I already went hiking today. I can never resist a good offer. Hiking, pizza, beer? So I went...and we hiked. I had been here once before about a year ago. I guess it a big biking spot as well. We brought the puppy (first time on a leash!) and took a different trail than the last time. It was nice. We didn't have time to visit High Rock because it was getting late. (Yet another place to return to). The waterholes were really neat so make sure to check out the pictures. And...as promised...pizza and beer.
ARCADIA MANAGEMENT AREA
Escoheag Trail
Exeter, RI
3-24-07
This was a great place. I had never been here before and was looking forward to a new experience. There was an abandoned building in the parking area and as we started towards the trail there was a horseback rider coming out of the woods. A short way in we veered off the trail to scramble up and down the ledges. Dogs were allowed here and they really enjoyed themselves! We climbed up to an old pavilion which was apparently part of an old picnic area, popular in the 50's, called Ledges Picnic Area. There were remnants of fireplaces and camping spots. The view from the pavilion was beautiful and we lingered here for a while. We finished our walk on more of a road that ran back to the parking area. Pine Top Ski Area was a part of this area from the 60's into the 80's but we didn't get a chance to check that part out. Here's some history: http://www.nelsap.org/ri/pinetopri.html
GREAT SWAMP MANAGEMENT AREA
South Kingston, RI
3-10-07
It's my birthday and a dismal day. We were off for a short hike so we didn't finish the trail. Very flat and open to start, I wasn't sure what to expect as we went on, as this was my first time here. We finally reached the swamp. It was gorgeous. The hawks were swirling and I enjoyed watching them, as I always do. We tried to find the trail that looped around the swamp but ran out of time (we probably should have brought the map with us!). And yet another place to return to...
GUNSTOCK MOUNTAIN RESORT
Gilford, NH
3-3-07
Well, we had gotten snow shoes for Christmas and if you're a Rhode Islander (or New Englander for that matter) you know what our winter was like...absent of snow! Now, I know most people hate the snow and cold weather, but I love it! I love to watch it, to play in it, to drive in it. It's now March and I'm dying to go snowshoeing. Gunstock was awesome. We ended up trekking on a moonlit ridge tour. And not only was it a full moon, it was a lunar eclipse! Unfortunately we missed some of it due to clouds but what we did get to see was great. We took the ski lift up and snowshoed the ridge with a group of about 15 people or so. I wasn't able to take too many pictures. I figured people may not appreciate getting blinded by my camera's flash. But I did take a couple, which I posted. They are kind of lousy but you can see the full moon over the ski resort as we were off on the side looking down at it. It was neat. It's about 2 1/2 hours from RI...a nice winter day trip. For more info: www.gunstock.com/ January 26 Browning Mill Pond-Roaring BrookBrowning Mill Pond-Roaring Brook
Arcadia Management Area
Exeter, RI
I know that good intentions are often pushed aside when obstacles are encountered...but not today! We made plans last week. Friday. 9am. Hiking. We hadn't been in awhile and we were going to "catch up", weather permitting. Actually, since I had been hearing for the past few days the deep freeze forcast I figured my friend would show up and say something like "Wanna go shopping instead?", but much to my surprise she didn't. Ah, what the hell, we'll bundle up. Temp check prior to leaving...12.9 degrees. Brrrrrr. So...we bundled up. Browning Mill Pond was, well, nice and quiet, for one thing (no random screaming from the other end of the pond) and interesting. We ended up taking only one loop instead of the two on the map, but mainly because it had been 45 minutes since I had been able to feel my thighs. We encountered a fish hatchery, old stone walls and what appeared to be a small stone house type foundation thing. (There's a pictue up there.) The pond was pretty as it was frozen with a layer of snow across it. There were many foot bridges, as well, one which led to a small island near the brook where a fire pit and picnic table were. We lingered there for a bit, well, as much as you can when it's 13 degrees out. We ended our jaunt with a trip to Seven Moons for some sushi and hot sake but when we got there we settled for a Scorpion Bowl. Oh, the sting of the Scorpion. November 26 Lime Rock Preserve11-26-06
Lime Rock Preserve
Lincoln, RI
Well, it was a nice day to walk and explore with the temp reaching the 60's today. Have to take advantage with nice weather now, not that I mind the cold or snow. Actually, I think this hike would be great to do in the snow. Nestled alongside a neighborhood and some condominiums, once you get past the first 1/2 mile or so, it gets pretty desolate. Following the trail which once served as a railroad that ran from Lincoln to Woonsocket about a century ago, the gradual incline of what looks like a dam but is actually a raised road for the railway, leads to some nice views of a stream on one side and a pond on the other. Following the trail down towards the stream was a neat stone tunnel that ran about 100 feet long under the trail we decended from. (Check out the picture in the photo section.) Spent some time here poking and relaxing. Apparantly there are rare plant species in this reserve that are found nowhere else in the state. Although I could not confirm this in November, there were lots of ferns to check out. I wanted to tell the man on the ATV to "Go Away! Please." but he got stuck a couple times then was nice when he drove by and acknowledged us. (Please don't drive over the plants!) But later through the hike, past the tons of limerock ledges and by small marble boulders and 3/4 of the way around the pond, we got lost (the trails weren't marked well) and I probably trampled more wildlife than the ATV man could have with his wheels. Ugg! Watching the sun set over the condos/trees and ledges was pretty but reminded me that we were not alone. September 16 Hope DamVillage of Hope
Scituate, RI
A nice spot for a kayak ride and, I hear, a good place to fish.
September 11 Long and Ell Pond Natural Area9/9/06
Ell and Long Pond Natural Area
Rockville
Hopkinton, RI
It had been awhile since my last visit to Ell and Long Pond and I'd forgotten just how beautiful it was here. It was a gorgeous day to stroll in the woods, but this was much more than a stroll. The dramatic terrain was evident the first few minutes into the hike and we felt like we were somewhere in New Hampshire. There were lots of boulders, rock piles and bluffs. The rhododdendrons gave the feeling of being in a rain forest, as they were everywhere. I bet it would look remarkable here in the spring. Of course the views of Long Pond from the outcroppings were amazing! We lingered here for quite awhile and were joined by others hikers, as well. Check out some picture in my photo album. We attempted to find Ell Pond, but the trails were not clearly marked here and we missed the turn. Still, it was nothing short of breathtaking. Click here for more info and directions: http://www.mdc.net/~dbrier/yawgoog/trails/longel.html
Blackstone Gorge8/4/06
Blackstone Gorge
Blackstone, MA
A gorge in Rhode Island? Who knew? I didn't, but when I read about it, I had to investigate. The title is decieving, since the hike actually starts in Blackstone, MA but quickly enters North Smithfield, RI. From the parking lot, you can spot Rolling Dam and there is a canoe/kayak launch here as well. Even though the trails were not so clearly marked, we explored many paths, climbing up and down through the park, reaching the bluffs and enjoying the vistas. It was a great place to linger, relax and just take nature in. Check out our pictures in the photo album. Click here for more info and directions: http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/daytrip/north_smithfield.html August 25 Some of My Favorite SpotsHorseshoe Falls in Shannock Village, Hopkinton, RI
Mt. Tom in Exeter, RI - By far, my most favorite RI spot! Complete amazement happened here!
Russell Pond in NH
Newport, RI
The Tower in Narragansett - A total surprise above the congestion of traffic! April 23 Table Rock4-20-06
Table Rock Trail
Mt. Gloriette (Elev. 2630')
Table Rock (Elev. 2510')
Dixville Notch, NH
The trail was somewhat difficult and then we hit snow. At one point, falling in, the snow was up to our knees! Crazy and totally worth the effort when we made it to the top.
"Table Rock is a cliff that juts out from the north side of Mt. Gloriette. Formed of vertical slabs, it is less than 10 ft. wide at it's narrowest point and extends more than 100 ft. from the shoulder of the mountain." The views from the cliff were absolutely spectacular! It was definitely one the scariest things I have ever done. The drop to the road below was 700 feet! Mt. Prospect4-19-06
Mt. Prospect
Weeks State Park
Lancaster, NH
Elev. 2077'
The former estate of John Weeks, this auto road had brethtaking views of the Presidential Range on the way up. Since it was off season, we hiked up the auto road which does not open until May. At the top we enjoyed views of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains, the Green Mountains in Vermont, the Kilkenny Range, the Percy Peaks, and the upper Connecticut River Valley from the firetower. John Weeks was the sponsor of the Weeks Act (1911) which made the development of the White Mountain National Forest possible. Check out this site for more info... http://www.nhparks.state.nh.us/ParksPages/Weeks/Weeks.html Arethusa Falls4-18-06
Arethusa Falls Trail
Arethusa Falls (Elev. 2000')
Crawford Notch, NH
A relatively easy hike leading to the highest single waterfall in NH (200 ft.) It was beautiful and still had remnants of snow and ice. Check out the photos! March 25 Parker WoodlandWe had some wacky weather during our 4+ mile hike at Parker Woodland. It didn't stop Tristan and Jamie, though, or any of the adults for that matter. Sprinkles, flurries and some sleet accompanied us while we checked out some neat stuff. The kids enjoyed learning about the sweat lodge and what they were used for. Some other highlights were the mysterious stone cairns, old stone walls and remnants of some centuries old roads, mills, stone well and farmhouse. For a short distance the trail followed alonside the river and then a brook. Lots of boulders and ledges had Jamie and Tristan scrambling and climbing. Fun times! March 11 Black Hut Wildlife AreaOnce again, the road less traveled is hard to find! After searching and actually stopping to ask for directions, I made it. It was beautiful weather, it being mid-March and all. Not a whole lot of highlights on this trail but it was enjoyable watching the hawk swirl overhead and put on a show for us. Enjoy the pictures! February 11 Fort Nature RefugeOur 2nd hike since the new year, it was a frigid 23 degrees out. Off to North Smithfield, finding the refuge was not an easy task. A small sign was overlooked the first time by. We made it, though, and it was a gorgeous, sunny morning - the calm before the predicted blizzard. Check out the pictures from our 2 hour hike! Enjoy!
Terri, Leigh...thanks for the memories and the encouragement! Looking forward to our next adventure...sushi, drinks & hiking!
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