Tag Archives: photographs

January 1, 2017

Norman Rockwell Museum (Stockbridge, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date of Visit: October 15, 2016

Location: 9 Glendale Rd, Stockbridge, MA

Hours:

May – October and holidays:
open daily: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

November – April: open daily:
Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weekends and holidays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parking: There is a large parking area for 100 or more cars across from the museum.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes, and they even have a separate parking lot for handicapped parking beside the museum

Dog Friendly: No

Highlights: original art work by Norman Rockwell, other works of art by various artists, sculptures behind the museum

Web Site: Normal Rockwell Museum

Nothing may say Americana like the work of Norman Rockwell. And, in a small town in the Berkshires you can still view this idyllic vision of America from so long ago.

But, even before you enter the museum, there is art abound. Along the walk way to the museum there are these unique sculptures and works of art.

Since it was the middle of October during our visit, the grounds of the museum were bursting with colors.

Rockwell was a prolific artist and his work is widely regarded as being some of the finest art in modern American history. Virtually every home, office or school has at one point hung a Rockwell painting, or more accurately somewhere in their building. In fact, I remember seeing this one in my doctor’s office.

The museum allows photograpy, just not flash photography. So, make sure to grab your DSLR or make sure your camera phone is fully charged before you go.

It’s so hard to choose the best Rockwell painting, especially since everyone has different tastes. But, here are a few of the paintings at the museum.

Throughout the day, a curator or other staff member gives a brief lecture on the life and works of Norman Rockwell.

There are also works of art by other artists at the museum. They range from more traditional works of art to modern works of art. There wa also a special tribute to cartoonist and satirist Thomas Nast during our visit.

Behind the museum is an open area with sculptures, some of who were sculpted by Norman Rockwell’s son, Peter Rockwell. The art work is very creative.

“Monster” made from fiberglass resin by Peter Rockwell, 2014

Sculpture by Peter Rockwell

“Junkyard Baby Buggie” made of license plates, tools, hubcaps, antique bottle and miscellaneous articles by Thomas Fiorini listed at $11,000.

Sculpture by Peter Rockwell

“Birdy Buggy” by Erika Crofut. Made of steel, vines and trash treasures. Listed at $2,200.

“Nuclear Family Totem” by Angelo J Sinisi, made of steel and bronze. For the low low price of $4,000.

“Christmas Buggy On Main” by Dee Moretto, made from wood, bondo, metal, fabric and paint.

“Bedrock Carriage” made of gypsum cement, copper and mocha moss, made by Thomas Mesquita. It’s all yours for $3,000.

“Bachelor” by Nicole Peskin made of found objects and welded steel. Listed at $9,000. Maybe I need one of these for my bachelor pad.

Sculpture by Peter Rockwell

There is also a tour of Norman Rockwell’s studio.

21 Comments | tags: art, Massachusetts, New England, Norman Rockwell, photographs, Photography, photos, Stockbridge | posted in art, Massachusetts, photographs, photography, photos, Stockbridge, Uncategorized, western massachusetts

December 30, 2016

Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Sanctuary (Tiverton, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: December 14, 2016

Location: Seapowet Ave, Tiverton, RI (about an hour south of Boston and about 30 minutes southeast of Providence, RI)

Cost: Free but donations are appreciated

Hours: Trails are open dawn until dusk

Parking: There is a lot which can accomodate about 5-10 cars

Trail Difficulty/Size: 50 acres of easy but narrow trails, I couldn’t find a description of the trail lengths but it can’t be more than 4 or 5 miles total

Handicapped Accessible: No

Dog Friendly: No, Audubon sanctuaries are not pet friendly

Highlights:easy trails, blinds to hide behind bird watch, wildlife, streams and bodies of water, birds, scenic

Web Site: Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Sanctuary

Trail Map: Emilie Ruecker Trail Map

As a preface, I am trying to post about as many of my trips from earlier this year before the end of the year. So, I may be posting pretty much every day until the new year and into the beginning of the new year to catch up and start fresh in 2017. Lucky you… ( :

Tucked away just over the Massachusetts and Rhode Island border is a serene little trail with lots of surprises.

One of the cutest surprises are these blinds that you can hide behind to photograph or observe birds.

The trails at Emilie Ruecker are easy enough to navigate and they are mostly loops so it is easy to stay on the trail. There are also maps displayed throughout the sanctuary. The trails can be narrow in some areas. Also, if you go on the red trails, it’s easy to go off track. Just keep looking for the color coded trees to stay on track.

One of the cool things are the openings along the trails that allow you to get closer to the water so you can view the ducks and other birds.

You’ll also find the occasional bench to rest at.

Although there is lots of wildlife at the sanctuary, the highlight for me was the beautiful scenic views.

If you look closely, you may see the outline of a deer just behind the branch of this tree. Unfortunately, my camera couldn’t focus in time to get a better photo.

Much like this deer, the birds at Emilie Ruecker were hard to photograph.

The birds in the water proved more easy to photograph.

These birds were very easy to photograph, as long as I kept my distance. They were hanging out on the other side of the road across from the sanctuary on some farm land.

Please connect with me on Facebook: Facebook

10 Comments | tags: birds, bridge, ducks, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Rhode Island, scenic, Tiverton, trail, trails, trees, water | posted in birds, nature, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, Uncategorized

December 29, 2016

PYR 2014 (Boston, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: November 4, 2016

Location: Fort Point Channel, corner of Dorchester Ave and Summer Street, Boston, MA

Cost: Free

Hours: 24 hours a day

Handicapped Friendly: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Web Site: PYR 2014

Highlights: Sculpture of a pyramid in Boston’s Fort Point Channel

If you’re hoping to view pyramids, you don’t have to book that trip to Egypt quite just yet. You only need to make a visit to Boston, MA, to see a pyramid of grand dimensions. The pyramid located in Boston named PYR 2014, which was sculpted by Boston-based sculptor Don Eyles, is said to be a sculpture that marks the past and future history.

The pyramid is made of plastic blocks which have been painted to look like the paving stones of the streets of Boston. It is more of a white shade. But, with the sun and the shade it threw that day, Mother Nature made it look a much darker color in some photos.

But how did they get this sculpture in the channel? Did they use some complicated contraption? A pulley system? Was there a helicopter drop? No. Nothing so elaborate was necessary. This link show how they did it.

Cormorants like the pyramid also.

The pyramid is 10 feet high and 16 feet wide and built from polystyrene, a synthetic aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene.

The pyramid was slated to be on display until November 15 of 2014. But, as of the time I took the photos in November of 2016 it was still there.

Connect With Me On:Facebook

13 Comments | tags: art, birds, Boston, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos | posted in art, birds, Boston, Massachusetts, New England, sculpture, Uncategorized

December 29, 2016

Mass Audubon North River Wildlife Sanctuary (Marshfield, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: December 4, 2016

Location: 2000 Main St, Marshfield, MA (about 45 minutes south of Boston, MA)

Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-4 pm
Sat (April-December), 9 am-4 pm
Closed Sundays (hours may change depending on the season)

Trails are open dawn to dusk

Cost: Members: Free
Nonmembers:
$4 Adults
$3 Children (2-12)
$3 Seniors (65+)

Parking: There are about a 15-20 parking spaces in the main parking area (street parking may also be available)

Dog Friendly: No, Mass Audubon parks do not allow dogs

Handicapped Friendly: No, the trails are rocky and hard to navigate in some areas

Trail Size/Difficulty: 225 acres, 2.5 mile loop, easy trail difficulty with gentle inclines

Highlights: birds, wildlife, views of the water, boardwalks, nature center

Web Site: North River Wildlife Sanctuary

Trail Map: North River Wildlife Sanctuary Trail Map

Nestled about half way between Boston, MA to the north and Caped Cod to the south, Marshfield, MA is a serene trail that also happens to bethe home to one of the best places for bird watching.

North River Wildlife Sanctuary actually has two sections to the trails. At least I consider them two sections. The trail from the nature education center

The trails at North River are easy with some slight inclines. Boardwalks allow access over marshland and wetland. However, not all of the trails are on clearly marked trails. Look for yellow and blue marked trees to ensure you stay on the trails. .

Along the trail closest to the nature center, there is a trail that is mostly dirt with soem gravel paths and boardwalks. If you do take some side trails (I suggest you do), you may come across some trails like the one pictured above that is covered in leaves and not clearly defined. Most trails are even with some minor inclines.

Along the trails there are some educational and recreational objects.

This sign identifies a certain type of bark and needles along the trail. There is also a tent for visitors to play with. There used to be two of them but they felt it made visitors too tense.

The Woodland Loop (the main trail from the educational center) leads to the Hannah Ames Trail (named after a former resident of the land). The 2.5 mile loop is easy with some pretty views. I heard lots of birds but failed to photograph many of them (this is atheme with my visit as you will see later). But the views are pretty and a boardwalk covers some wetland.

The gem of the sanctuary, has to be the trail that leads to the boardwalk with the observation platform by the North River. The signs for the River Loop trail, which veers off from the Woodland Loop after a quarter of a mile or so, are sort of tucked away. As a reference point, if you reach the tent on the Woodland Loop you’ve gone too far.

Once you cross the busy Summer Street (be careful), you will see a trail that leads to an open area with views of the North River in the distance.

There is a well worn grass trail that leads to a boardwalk over a wetland area. Trust me, there is a bird in the first photo in the bottom row. I swear.

The boardwalk leads to a very cool observation platform with cattails and other plants and trees along the sides of the platform.

The views from the platform are very pretty. I didn’t see much bird activity and it was a fairly cold day with a blustery wind during my visit.

After leaving the platform area, I noticed a somewhat hidden trail, the Red Maple Loop. For some reason, perhaps because of the thick brush and because it is heavily wooded, this is where I saw and heard the most activity. In fact, I saw some bucks while I entered the trail but they caught me by surprise and I couldn’t get their photo. There were lots of birds on this trail though. Again, they’re very hard to photograph. But, I did manage to photograph a few of them.

This Mass Audubon site also utilizes solar power as part of their commitment to the environment.

Below is a video from the observation platform by the North River. As you can tell by the audio, it was a pretty windy day!

2 Comments | tags: birds, Hiking, marshfield, Massachusetts, Nature, New England, photographs, Photography, photos | posted in birds, hiking, marshfield, Massachusetts, nature, New England, photographs, photography, photos, trails, Uncategorized

December 24, 2016

Holiday Trellis (Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Boston, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of Event: Official lighting was November 21. Photos were taken December 9, 2016

Location: Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, 110 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA (near Tia’s and the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel)

Hours: Lights go on at dusk every day through out the holidays

Cost: Free

Parking: Parking in this part of the city is tough. If you can’t find street parking spaces, there is a parking garage at the Vpne parking garage located at 200 State St which is nearby. The Aquarium (on the MBTA’s Blue Line) and South Station (the Red Line on the MBTA) stops are also within walking distance.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: Festive lights and decorations

Web Site: Holiday Trellis

There are several holiday displays in the city of Boston. You can skate and shop at the new Boston Winter attraction. You can view the light display at Faneuil Hall. Or, you can check out the tree at the Boston Common.

But, there is one holiday display that often goes unnoticed despite its festive display.

The Holiday Trellis display at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston’s historic North End, is home to one of the more beautiful light displays in the city.

The 260 foot trellis is lit up with 50,000 blue lights. A wreath decorated with a red bow and white lights hangs at the entrance to the trellis. Fourteen trees in the park are also lit up.

The lighting of the trellis is a big event at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. Refreshments are provided and a musical guest performs each year (this year the musical performance was by Sharon Zeffiro).

While playing with my camera, I noticed how the path and lights looked much brighter with certain settings.

While those phoros look cool, the actual colors are not as bright.

The trellis is pet friendly and the dogs seem to really like the lights which seem to sparkle when they shine on the path. Denali, a 1 year old Golden Retriever, stopped chasing the spots on the path to pose for a quick photo.

Happy holidays, however you celebrate (or don’t)! Thank you all for the holiday cheer and for all of your support throughout the year!

18 Comments | tags: Boston, holiday, lights, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, trellis | posted in Boston, holidays, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, trellis, Uncategorized

December 20, 2016

Christmas By Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates of Event: Every weekend in December, 2016, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (photos taken on December 16, 2016)

Location: Old Sturbridge Village (1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd.
Sturbridge, MA) (about an hour and half west of Boston and 45 minutes east of Springfield, MA)

Price: Adults: $22 | Youth ages 4 –12: $14 | Children 3 and under: Free (there are discounts if you’re in the military and if you purchase your tickets before December 1st for future reference)

Hours: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm for the Christmas By Candlelight event (regular November hours are 9:30 -4:00 but their hours and the days they are open change depending on the time of the year)

Parking:There are an ample parking in the parking lot but it does get full during big events like the Christmas By Candlelight event

Handicapped Accessible: No, unfortunately, many of the houses do not have ramps

Dog Friendly: No

Highlights: family-friendly, historical, living museum, actors, carolers, animals, horse drawn carriage

Web Site: Christmas By Candlelight At Old Sturbridge Village

Stage coach rides, carolers, time period actors, Christmas trees; these are a few of the magical attractions at the annual Candlelight Christmas event at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

The first exhibit at the Old Sturbridge Village Museum is the gingerbread house contest. The contest is broken into 4 categories: adult professional (there are professional gingerbread house makers?), adult, youth and family. Some of the designs are very creative. Each visitor to the museum could vote for their favorite.

There are many houses with living actors who answer questions about the traditions and how Christmas was celebrated during the colonial and post colonial days,

There were also stations where you could get some mulled cider and, appropriately enough, freshly roasted chestnuts…on an open fire no less.

The houses were all decorated with lights (for safety purposes, lights replaced the candles which would have been used to light up the houses). I have tried to show a progression of how the houses looked as darkness descended on the village so there may be some duplicate photos of the same buildings.

All of the houses were open to the public, especially since it was another cold New England afternoon. The homes were all decorated in different eras. In fact, one could see the decor of diffeerent eras in each room in the house.

This shoppe was a realistic version of the shoppes of the day.

There were actors throughout the village. The last two gentlemen pictured below were playing instruments of the day. The man in the second photo is playing a Psaltery, an instrument dating back to the 3 B.C.E.

In one of the houses, The Ghost of Christmas Present waited for us. He told me he hasn’t had to scare anyone since Scrooge (not even any reality stars or politicians, apparently). So, he’s a pretty easyy going guy I guess. Tiny Tim’s cane leaned on a chair in the corner.

This actor was pretty quiet. He didn’t tell me much about his character. Hey, wait a second…

Of course there were carolers roaming the village and breaking into song when the mood struck them. They also sang, appropriately enough, “Oh Christmas Tree!” at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

It was too cold outside (single digits at some points of the evening) for most of the animals. But, the chickens and some chicks were in the barn.

There were also some bulls on the farm. They’re such beautiful animals.

And, of course, the horses that pulled the horse drawn carriage and stage coach. Don’t you just love how they walk?

Happy holidays too all and don’t forget to leave out your shoes in the hopes of getting carrots!

Below are some videos from my visit to Candlelight Christmas! You’ll have to turn your head or device to watch the tree lighting ceremony ( :

14 Comments | tags: Christmas, holiday, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos | posted in Christmas, holidays, Massachusetts, museum, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

December 17, 2016

Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke (Portsmouth, NH)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of Event: December 3-18 (weekends only), photos taken December 10, 2016

Location: Strawbery Banke Museum (14 Hancock Street
Portsmouth, NH)

Hours: Saturdays, 5-9 pm. Sundays, 4-8 pm

Cost: Tickets are $25/adults, $12.50/children (ages 5-17), and $60/family (covers 2 adults + 2 children age 5-17). Children under 5, free. Active duty military and their families, and veterans, free. Group and corporate rates are available

Parking: There are about 100 parking spots in the lot which fill up quickly. The besgt bet is to park at one of the lots nearby (there are a couple on Court St within walking distance) or ake the Vintage Christmas Trolley

Handicapped Accessible: The main trail is but some of the houses are not handicapped accessible as they do not have ramps

Dog Friendly: No

Highlights: living history museum, ice skating rink, horse drawn carriage rides, musical entertainment, family friendly

Web Site: Strawbery Banke Candlelight Stroll

Christmas in New England was once very different than the Christmas we celebrate these days. The actors at the living history museum do their best to recreate the life of Christmas during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.

The festivites begin with a candlelight stroll in the Portsmouth neighbor. We missed the candlelight stroll because we photographed the Nubble Lighthouse.

The houses are decorated with holiday decor and the actors explain what life was liked in colonial and post colonial America. I love some of the little decorations that gave the museum a Christmassy feel. It’s funny how a well place wreath or a colorful decoration can brighten up a room or doorway.

One of my favorite buildings is (of course) the old time candy shoope. Candies, snacks and foods of all kinds are stocked on the shelves and you can even get some recipes for some of theese foods.

Another one of my favorite buildings was the lantern shop. One of the lantern makers was at work when we visited the shoppe. And, yes, all of the lanterns photographed were hand made and for sale.

In one of the houses, Mrs. Shapiro prepared a Hanukah celebration her 1919 Russian Jewish kitchen.

There was also a horse drawn carriage.

There is also musical entertainment at Strawbery Banke. Carolers, a live band an a pianist are at Strawberry Banke. If you’re lucky, they might even be serving hot apple cider like they were during our visit.

There is also an ice skating rink for skaters of all skill levels to enjoy. The best part of the rink is when the living actors skate together (see video below). The less experienced skaters can use “walkers” to help keep them on their feet which you may see in the video below. A firepit is nearby to help keep the visitors warm.

Although dogs are not allowed at Starwbery Banke (service dogs may be an exception), we did see Meave, a 2 year old mixed breed dog.

Below is a video ofsome of the skilled skaters at the living musuem.

6 Comments | tags: carollers, dog, family friendly, fun, holiday, museum, New England, new hampshire, photographs, Photography, photos, Strawbery Banke Museum | posted in carolers, holidays, New England, new hampshire, photographs, photography, photos, Strawbery Banke Museum, Uncategorized

December 13, 2016

Nubble Lighthouse Holiday Lights (York, ME)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of Event: November 26, 2016 – January 1, 2017 (photos are from my visit on December 10, 2016)

Location: 11 Sohier Pard Rd, York, ME

Hours: from dusk (roughly 4:30 EST) until midnight

Cost: Free

Parking: There is a parking area for about 20-30 vehicles and adeparate parking lot for about 10 cars nearby

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: Nubble Lighthouse decorated and lit up for the holidays.

Each year the Nubble Lighthouse (also known as Cape Neddick Lighthouse) is lit up

The annual lighting of the Nubble Lighthouse is a big event. The annual lighting begins each holiday season on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Santa makes a visit, the fire department stops by to let the children check out their trucks and a bus shuttles people back and forth from Ellis Park to Sohier Park. Yes, they take their lighthouse lightings pretty seriously in York.

Interestingly, this isn’t the only time of the year the lighthouse is decorated with lights. In July of each year the lighthouse is lit up as part of their “Christmas In July” celebration. So, if you miss this viewing you only have to wait 7 more months.

We started the viewing of the lighthouse with the last stages of yet another beautiful Maine sunset.

It was a bitterly cold night at Sohier Park with temperatures in the teens and 20’s and a wind chill making it feel about 10 degrees colder. So, in between visits to the car to thaw out, I was able to take photos of the lighthouse at various stages. If you look closely, you may see a drone that a visitor was flying by the lighthouse, presumably for video footage. Also, you can see a Christmas tree through one of the windows in some of the photos.

Below is a video of the lighthouse lit up. I had only been there about an hour when I videotaped the lighthouse. But, darkness comes quickly in this part of New England. So, the video doesn’t look great. It actually looks kind of spooky.

22 Comments | tags: Christmas, holiday, Maine, New England, Nubble Lighthouse, photographs, Photography, photos | posted in lighthouse, Maine, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

December 11, 2016

Boston Winter (Boston, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of Event: December 7, 2016 – December 31, 2016 (the skating rink will be open until the end of February, 2017)

Location: Boston City Hall Plaza
1 City Hall Square

Hours:

Chalets
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 7pm
Friday & Saturday 11am – 8pm
Christmas Eve 11am – 4pm
Christmas Day Closed
New Year’s Eve 11am – 6pm
New Year’s Day Closed

Site (Skating & Attractions)
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
Friday & Saturday 11am – 10pm
Christmas Eve 11am – 4pm
Christmas Day Closed
New Year’s Eve 11am – 6pm
New Year’s Day Closed

Cost: Free

Parking: There are several parking gaarages in the area or you can try street parking (good luck). If you don’t feel like driving, the Government Center Train Stop on the Green Line is directly across from Boston Winter.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: No

Highlights: ice skating rink, shops, dj, shops, lights and ddecorations

Web Site: Boston Winter

In an effort to make the city even more festive, Boston has installed a temporary skating rink and holiday attraction. The 11,000 square foot ice skating path (it’s not really a rink but more of a circular ice path) is open to all skaters of any skill level.

The opening of Boston winter, the attraction nott the actual season, was delayed from December 2nd to December 7th because it was not cold enough to sustain the temperatures needed to keep the rink frozen. Sadly, that is not a problem now.

People of all ages, backgrounds and ability took to the ice and reveled in the ice and atmosphere. It’s a great event for couples and it is very family friendly. I’m always surprised to some degree how well behaved and (usually) considerate people are at these events. The walk ways and standing areas – there is no seating available and I’m sure that is by design – is narrow and congested in some areas but people are pretty courteous.

A dj keeps the event fun and loose. He announced different people’s birthdays and tried to get the crowd excited. He reminded me of the dj’s they used to have at roller skating rinks.

In addition to the skating rink, there are vendors selling a variety of goods from belts and clothing to novelty items.

The lighting and decor of the event is both tasteful yet festive. Very often when people and businesses decorate for the holidays they overdo it. I don’t think this was the case at Boston Winter (ok the tree with the spirals that light up may have been a bit much but I liked it!).

Below is a video of some of the skaters at Boston Winter.

18 Comments | tags: Boston, holiday, ice, ice skating, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos | posted in Boston, holidays, ice, ice skating, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized, winter

December 8, 2016

Benson Park (Hudson, NH)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: December 5, 2016

Location: 21 Kimball Hill Rd, Hudson, NH

Cost: Free

Hours: Open everyday dawn until dusk

Parking I saw about 50 or so spots in the parking lot area

Handicapped accessible: Yes, but not on the hiking trails

Dog Friendly: Yes

Size of park and trails: 160 acres, 3 mile loop

Highlights: 9/11 memorial, ponds, trails, birds, playground, wildlife, big and pretty trees, “Woman With The Shoe”, “The Gorilla House”

Formerly known as Benson’s Wild Animal Farm and later New England Playworld, Benson Park was once a vast zoo that entertained countless visitors with their animals and attractions. The zoo may no longer be there but Benson Park still entertains visitors with its natural beauty.

Benson Parkwas bought by the state of New Hampshire and then transferred to the town of Hudson in 1998. It has since been converted to a play area and nature center. However, some remnants of the zoo remain which you will see later in this post.

The trails at Benson Park are easywith a few inclines.

The park now boasts a 3 mile loop and several ponds and streams. The ponds were partially frozen due to the cold weather and snow that was falling. It created some interesting shapes on the ice.

The park is a wonderful place for birding. There are a wide variety of birds at the park from egrets to much smaller birds like cardinals and robins. Cute birdhouses are scattered throughout the park to attract birds.

It snowed earlier in the day and it was still snowing when I arrived at Benson Park. The snow made the views at the park even prettier than usual.

I hope momma bird took her chicks out before all the snow.

While I didn’t see any wildlife, I did see lots of evidence of them in the snow. I would have loved to see just one of them up close.

The first thing you’ll notice as you enter Benson Park is the tasteful and somber September 11th memorial. Since some of the planes involved in that fateful day left from Boston’s Logan International Airport, some families in New Hampshire were directly affected. In fact, David Kovalcin, a resident of Hudson, was on Flight 11, the plane that crashed into the North Tower at the World Trade Center.

The memorial consists of several stone markers with the times and locations of each attack. A clock with the accurate time of each attack is engraved at the top of each monument. There is also a monument to each branch of the military that works to keep us safe.

There are benches surrounding the memorial to sit and reflect.

A steel beam from an elevator shaft at the World Trade Center is also at the memorial site. The nine-ton beam is from an elevator shaft on the 21st floor of the North Tower. Another bam stands next to it, representing the two towers at the site.

On a happier note, just beyond the September 11 memorial, there is a play area for children.

Just past the playground area is the “Gorilla House.” Tony the Gorilla used to live in this cage when the park was a zoo. The sign on the wall at the Gorilla House states that he used to watch tv and play in the Gorilla House when the area was a zoo. But, I couldn’t feel anything but a little sad and bothered by it. I know that is how we treat animals (which is a whole other issue for me) and he most likely was treated well enough. But, I always find it bothersome to see a majestic animal like that confined in such a way. The perspective you get from looking out through the bars from his view is poignant. In any case, children enjoy playing inside the cage and I think Tony would have liked it that way. A mural of what appears to be Tony is painted on the wall.

Fun fact: Colossus (aka Tony the Gorilla) ran for President against Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan in 1980. Rumor has it voters didn’t agree with his pro banana free trade stance.

Another fun attraction for children (or young at heart adults) is the Old Woman In The Shoe, baased on the nursery tale of the same name. The attraction is actually considered a historical monument. It’s slightly larger than my apartment.