suggestions?

[chhotii]

Once again, here's a 3-day weekend and I haven't planned much.

Today is going to be nice, weather-wise. Nice as long as you have a sweatshirt along, of course. I'd like to do something outdoors with Sophia. If Rich were here, biking and canoeing would be options. But he's not, and I need lessons on how to attach Sophia's Chariot to the bicycle, and I couldn't possibly handle that big canoe onto the car myself.

Maybe hiking somewhere? Preferably not the Middlesex Fells today, not without a guide to point out where the poison ivy is. Or walking? Somewhere other than our usual suburban sprawl subdivision loop? Alas, the Rose Kennedy Greenway did their big thing last weekend. It looks nice and pleasant, although not tremendously interesting. The Esplanade will probably be mobbed, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is having a fund-raising walk. It's tempting to go, because there will be a lot of entertainment for the walk-- Wally the Monster, fire engines, music-- but is it tacky to crash the JDRF's party? I wonder if I could make a donation on-site (without being a Walker), and would that make it less tacky?

Comments

[quietann.livejournal.com]

There's a seemingly nice little park (forested) just off 495 on Rt. 114 South. It looks sort of like a Middlesex Fells in miniature. I keep meaning to go there. I have absolutely no time today, but maybe you and Sophia could explore?

[quietann.livejournal.com]

PS -- poison ivy at this point is bright red or yellow, three-leaved, viney.

[frotz.livejournal.com]

The Ward Reservation (http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/371_ward_reservation.cfm) is a nice and not-too-far place for a walk.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

exit 6 of rte 3 in nashua, turn left, over the highway, erm, two lights, and hang a left, leading you to the "chunky's" movie theatre (good for kids! eat and watch)... a bit further is an access point to mine falls park. it's not and cozy and has trails, and geocaches too.

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[tb]

Expect anywhere nice to be crowded this weekend, but if you go later in the afternoon, things tend to open up. This time of year you'll only have a couple of hours before sunset, but that's probably about Sophie's limit anyway.

A couple more close suggestions (in addition to Ward Reservation, which frotz kindly posted for me): Great Brook Farms State Park, in Carlisle. They have a lot of nice trails of different lengths and terrains, and there are cute critters near the ice cream stand (which is good stuff). Harold Parker State Forest is pleasant, though not that well-developed for hiking.

A bit farther from our town, but worth it: I've spent more time walking at Crane Beach than swimming; it's lovely, and was certainly pleasant yesterday. I expect it, and nearby Russell Orchards, will be mobbed all weekend, but it goes to half-price after 3 P.M. and relatively few people take the dunes walks there. However, unless you're willing to navigate there via smaller roads, you'll probably get caught in Salem Halloween traffic on Rt. 128 on any weekend this month. Give the place a go some weekday.

Check out other properties on the TTOR pages for more ideas; they have all sorts of stuff all over the place. Also, Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries are another great resource.

At most of these places, the well-worn trails are packed down enough to be free of poison ivy, but if you go bushwacking, watch out for it. It's certainly something you'll need to learn to recognize.

[candle-light.livejournal.com]

How about Honk today (http://honkfest.org/index.htm)? We'd probably be there if we didn't have other plans.

Also, every apple orchard under the sun has stuff going on this weekend.

[candle-light.livejournal.com]

Locally, we really like the Great Brook Farms trails (that TB pointed out) and we ramble around on the trails out from the Vietnam Veterans Park here in Billerica sometimes (http://svr6.acornhost.com/~sudburyv/sites/default/files/RalphHill.pdf). There are some nice views of the Concord from the woods.