Category Archives: South Hadley

February 18, 2018

Talcott Greenhouse At Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden (South Hadley, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: January 20, 2018

Location: 50 College St, South Hadley, MA

Hours: Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m, Sat & Sun 1 p.m. -4 p.m. (hours may vary depending on the season)

Cost: Free

Parking: There is a parking lot for about 40 cars

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Website: Talcott Greenhouse

Highlights: variety of plants in the Talcott Greenhouse at Mount Holyoke College

It may seem a little early in the year for New Englanders to be talking about our gardens and plants, especially since we just received 3 inches of snow in the Boston area. But, the Talcott Greenhouse is a great place to go for a preview of the spring planting season that will soon be here.

The greenhouse has a wide variety of plants

There were a variety of plants and flowers that caught my attention like this huge cactus!

The botanical garden is open all year. The plants are cared for by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. In fact, the person working there during my visit helped answer a few questions I had about some of the plants and flowers int eh garden.

This particular flower is an orchard. The banana-looking parts of he flower are actually where the plant stores water.

Below are a few of the plants and flowers that caught my eye.

Philodendron Erubescens (“Pink Princess”)

Begonia Brevirimosa

Microsorum Thailandicum

Sinning Bullata

Begonia Silver Jewel Dibleys

Cirita Keiko

and the rest…

I especially liked how the flowers were displayed throughout the botanical garden. The colors of the plants in each group seemed to blend so well with all of the other plants they were placed with.

The coolest part of the greenhouse was definitely this tree that was growing through a wall!

12 Comments | tags: botanical garden, Massachusetts, New Englaand, photographs, Photography, photos, plants, South Hadley, Talcott Greenhouse | posted in botanical garden, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, plants, South Hadley, Uncategorized

February 11, 2018

Ice Floes (South Hadley, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: January 20, 2017

Location: 1 Alvord St, South Hadley, MA (Brunelle’s Marina)

Cost: Free

Parking: Parking for about 50 cars is available in the lot next to Brunelle’s

Handicapped Accessible: Yes, although some areas may be inaccessible

Dog Friendly: Yes

New England’s bizarre weather has created yet another peculiar attracted that has peaked the interest of countless visitors; ice floes.

But, these icy chunks of frozen water are no ordinary ice floes. These ice floes and ice chunks are so large some people have been seen lying on them, taking selfies on them and walking on them, cautiously (more on that later).

Although most of the ice floes and chunks of ice have surely melted with our recent warming trend, it is likely this may happen again this season or again next winter, although this was a fairly unusual event for this area.

The chunks of ice were stable in most areas. But, not all areas. Let’s just say I may know from experience. So, do be careful if you do visit this icy attraction.

The slabs, caused by frigid temperatures have attracted large crowds.

Despite our downright balmy weather conditions this weekend, it has been a particularly cold winter. But, hey that’s New England for you.

The ice chunks were often found bunched together, almost in a tectonic fashion.

The ice formed some very interesting shapes.

Another interesting aspect of the chunks of ice are the white and blueish colorful hues from the light shining through the ice. The colors reminded me of crystals and diamonds.

A few of the visitors decided to make good use of the snow and made this snowman. But, I’m not sure what the sticks in the head are all about. it’s a little disturbing, actually.