Sunday, December 23, 2012

Scantic River State Park

After discovering there was a state park so close to my old stomping grounds where I grew up, I was very curious to see what it looked like. The last time I was in the area of Melrose I was about 16 yrs old and hoping trouble would find me.
I remembered this area much differently than it turned out to be now. This road was virtually empty when I was a kid...maybe a couple of old farms tucked into the scenery here and there. Well, like so many other things it changed big time while I wasn't looking! The old farms (looking like they are about to fall down any minute) are still there but they are surrounded by wealthy looking large homes and manicured lawns. I promise I will get some photos of those farms for a future post. I just LOVE the character of old farms, don't you?

The instant I saw the old dilapidated bridge where the trail starts, I was very interested in what that bridge was used for and where it used to go. I'm not sure I can find out those answers but that's something else I'll be looking into.

The trail itself is a challenge of wet clay and sudden slipping even in areas that look like they should be dry. I found myself wishing I had on some real hardy hiking boots instead of the sneakers that I was trying to keep dry. I'm hoping that this trail is a work in progress because to be called a state park it certainly needs a lot more work. No doubt they rely on volunteers to do the work and that as well as the economy are what I'm going to blame this trails shortcomings on.
I'm quite sure this trail is beautiful in the summer and fall because the river winds through it and there are sweet little benches stationed in various areas that look like perfect spots to sit and relax. It's got plenty of charm to spare...it's just a work in progress.

I've posted a few of the highlights on the trail but there is much more to it than what you'll see in the here. It's about 2 miles long and really has some personality...just don't forget your boots.

 
Nice little area to sit and think

Wonder where this bridge used to go...

Drops of dew glisten in the sun

You're kidding me, right??

This is passing as a bridge too? Yikes!

Scrap metal will have to go too...
 

Friday, December 7, 2012

The Day After Thanksgiving


 

 
I decided as soon as I woke up that I was going to be late to work. It's not that I woke up late..it's that I just didn't think it would really matter. That's one of the reasons why I don't mind working the day after Thanksgiving. There is really not that much to do; a lot of people come in late and we usually leave early too....easy day.
And then I found out how thick the fog was when I stepped outside to potty the dogs. It was actually so thick when I was leaving that I was afraid to pull out into the main road. I just couldn't see anything farther than a few feet from my car. The rest was a solid wall of white...a little nerve racking.
So I took these shots on the way to work. If I didn't have to go to work that day I would have gone to Old Main St just to gets pictures of some of the farms in the fog. I bet that would have been great! Next time.....next time. :)
 




Foggy Afternoon Walk


It was unusual to have this much fog in the middle of the afternoon so I took Nick for a walk in it. She wasn't impressed at all..but I was.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Oh Come On Now!!

Today I took a very long and very cold hike with Bell. She is usually very good when Nick isn't around and I had that in mind when I decided she was coming with me. I also was remembering the last trip with the both of them and me wrenching my arm painfully trying to hold them back from some innocent dog that they decided needed to be mauled for fun. Yes....my dogs have a gang mentality when together. I hate it but it's true. If they had a support group for this I'd be the main member.

I'm not kidding when I say it was cold. The pond was frozen; a breeze was blowing and I didn't have my "puffy pants" on! I was freezing! And through it all Bell seemed just fine...having the time of her life.

And when I left them both at home for about an hour I was shocked to come home to THIS!! Mutilation of my plant AGAIN!! There was a baby gate protecting it and Bell should have been happily tired from our outing. But instead she give me THIS!!??!!
 
Nicki, you are my new favorite!!