Hike, backpack and camp as much as possible

Last week we took a walk along the shore of Black Pond in Meriden. This photo, the only one I could find on the internet, is cribbed with a big Thank You from fellow 43t-er wereldmuis’blog.
We have yet to hike along the ridge, but are finding inspiration reading wereldmuis’ blog entries.

Next stop was my friend Wayne’s for some apple picking. High Hill Orchard sits up on a glacial drumlin nearly as high as the nearby ridges.

On the way home, we stopped for a minute to check out North Farms Reservoir, then back down Route 68 when I saw a large bird flying straight along the road, back in the direction we’d come from. That couldn’t be a hawk with such a bright white head. Wow! An eagle! We turned back to get another look from North Farms Reservoir.

By now an amazing aerial battle was taking place high above. Two hawks were harassing the eagle, trying to drive it off. I’ve seen crows harass hawks before, and it was a similar exercise. A hawk would swoop in and ram the eagle from above and to the side, but would never dare to get in front of the eagle.

Meanwhile the other hawk would fly back up to make its next attack. Each time the eagle would dip a little and readjust with hardly a flap of the wings. The hawks kept trying to fly higher and higher to keep up with the eagle who continued to climb effortlessly, beautifully. The eagle seemed completely unafraid of the hawks. By the last time a hawk attacked, the eagle had positioned his talons well. We saw the hawk get twisted around in midair. He was lucky to be able to fly off. At this point the hawks gave up.

The eagle flew high in the air now, a tiny speck, high over the chain of ponds below, over ridges and in the direction of the Connecticut River. I know the high cliff areas along the River where eagles overwinter. We’re sure that’s where this one was going. So maybe we’ll head there today for some eagle watching.

where the trail is even, and dry. Along the locks, the red-winged blackbird thicket, the old carved stone bridge…

last saturday on the rock, east face back to the nature center waterfall, then over and down. We discovered a red push-pin in a tree on the freshet bank, a chipmunk in a split tree staring us down. We saw the waterfall raging and the hawk, the three whitetails. We called the last one out, and out it trotted, flouncing its white hindparts, tail flag waggling proudly. The Canada Geese in perfect formation, the frozen springs over rocks, the Harley crows….

where the trail is even, and dry. Along the locks, the red-winged blackbird thicket, the old carved stone bridge…

last saturday on the rock, east face back to the nature center waterfall, then over and down. We discovered a red push-pin in a tree on the freshet bank, a chipmunk in a split tree staring us down. We saw the waterfall raging and the hawk, the three whitetails. We called the last one out, and out it trotted, flouncing its white hindparts, tail flag waggling proudly. The Canada Geese in perfect formation, the frozen springs over rocks, the Harley crows….

and another, last 2 weekends. It was cold, I went quick.

Dead mouse on rocky trail, its pink paw caught the sun, and eye.
A stirring of white chin fluff, luxuriant still, and thick, like the essence of a thousand dandelions.

Took a long winter hike in Brimfield. Up the little ridge, along the beaver pond, across the forest, up the big ridge and past the two huts, back down on the cell tower road.

i can never have enough!!! =)

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, quick hikes up and down the rock. Saturday we had planned a big hike that never happened, though I managed to take a little walk in the woods anyway. Sunday it rained. Today it was sunny and I thought I’d go up the rock, but time slipped away, now it’s a dense fog. Tomorrow more rain. Wednesday maybe I’ll go, or on the weekend.

edit
Here it is Thursday; the interview is done, the sun is shining, and I’m going up that rock!

Photo – Sunday’s hike – evidence that the beavers have returned to the pond.

Yesterday a short evening walk in the snow. Today an hour on the cross country skis. What an athlete I’m becoming. :)

Photo – Saturday’s hike

Until today the weather was more like fall than winter lately.

Thursday a wonderful ramble on the rock – found lots of abandoned roads and ancient grafitti. Seriously. I took some pictures; will post as soon as I get back home.

Saturday and Sunday two nice hikes up in Ma. with my sweetie. Sunday I even tried carrying a 10 lb pack over hill and dale.

Each of those hikes was about 3 hours long. Today it snowed. I keep meaning to take the skis out but it’s after 4 and I’m still inside… Can’t wake up today!

Finally took the X country skis out yesterday.

We didn’t get much snow Monday, though it howled out there all day. Yesterday it was still quite cold, in the 20’s, and most of the snow had blown off the top of the rock, off roads and trees and buildings. Took a chance that it might have drifted up in the woodsy bottom behind the Rock, and BINGO! No tracks of other skiers, just a few from hikers and a mountain bike. On that low, flat trail there was just enough dry crystal snow for a good first run.