Parking: street parking and garage parking is available near the exhibit
Universally Accessible: Yes
Dog Friendly: Yes
Summary: The Blue Trees, an outdoor art exhibit, is adding some color to the streets of Salem, MA
If you have been seeing blue trees in the Salem (MA) area, don’t buy new glasses or make an appointment to see your eye doctor. You’re not seeing things. The trees in Salem have turned blue. At least some of them have.
The Blue Trees exhibit is the brainchild of Konstantin Dimopoulos, a conceptual and social artist originally from Port Said, Egypt. The Blue Trees are meant to draw attention to the deforestation happening around the globe. The environmentally safe watercolor used on the trees is temporary and is harmless to the trees, surrounding environment, people, waterways and wildlife. It will be washed away with the rain and other weather conditions. There are currently 27 places to see these blue trees including Houston, Sacramento, Vancouver, Singapore, Germany, Australia and, of course, Salem.
The trees were painted in time for Earth Day of this year and I was fortunate enough to see one of the painters at work.
The trees, which are part of the Peabody Essex Museum’s exhibit, can be found by the museum on Essex St.
Highlights: equestrian trails, meadows, plants, flowers, scenic views, wildlife, historic site, wading pool (June 26 – September 7 Open daily, 9:30am to 7:00pm)
Named after noted attorney and businessman Bradley Palmer, Bradley Palmer State Park has numerous trails for cycling, horse riding or just hiking as well as beauty unmatched by most parks in the area.
There is a variety of wildlife at Bradley Palmer. Snakes (garters mostly), frogs and toads and birds are abundant at the park. I was careful to not get too close to the Fowler’s toad as it has poison glands that meet at the back of their eyes. Actually, I had no idea about this while I took the photo. It was only after I had somewhat foolishly gotten close to the frog, taken the photo and researched what type of frog it was that I found about this. I am always careful to not disturb the wildlife though. The only reason it looks like I was very close was because of my telephoto lens. But it is something to keep in mind next time.
There are also numerous equestrian trails for horse riders to take their horses on.
There are also open fields with obstacles for horses to make jumps.
In fact, it is the open areas with long trails that make Bradley Palmer so special. There are so many pretty trees and flowers along the trails which are located along the Ipswich River. I could walk along the seemingly endless trails just taking in the scenic views along the way.
There are also historic buildings at the park. Palmer had constructed a mansion called Willow Dale where he resided. The building was restored in 2007 and is used for wedding receptions and other celebratory events under the name Willowdale Estate. I didn’t take photos of the remodeled building as there was a wedding reception taking place there during my visit.
There is also an old abandoned building at one of the entrances to the park. I’m not sure what it was originally used for (perhaps a horse barn as Bradley Palmer enjoyed horses). But, it is fun to think of it as being the home of a gnome or some other fantastical creature.
Bradley Palmer is a dog friendly park. There is more than 720 acres for you and your pooch to explore. Luke, a 7 year old, Tree Walker Coon hound, had fun on the trail.
The one thing that made this shoot somewhat challenging (despite the birds who kept flying away before I could shoot them) was the lighting at the park. Sunlight can be very difficult to work with. Frankly, it is often easier to get a darker image and fix it in post production. An over exposed photo can be very hard to “fix” later. This is why it’s important to get the photo right in the camera whenever possible,
There are two easier ways to avoid getting too much light in your photo: come back later and (time permitting) shoot the photo at a later time when the lighting may be better or try to position yourself in a different angle where the light may be less harsh. Those suggestions may seem obvious but sometimes the most obvious ideas do not always come to mind, especially if we may not have time to shoot the image later in the day.
When I took a beginner photography class, the teacher told us to shoot at 5.6 “because he said so.” While it is obvious that this is not always the best setting to use, I did notice I shot most of my photos at 5.6 or 4.0. Of course, it will vary upon where and when and the environment you’re shooting in, 5.6 is a good place to set your camera at and you can always adjust from there if you’re unsure what setting to use, particularly for beginners.
In a future post I will share some thoughts on photographing birds. You know, the least frustrating part of photography ( :
Location: 572 Essex St, Beverly, MA (about 30 minutes northeast of Boston,MA)
Hours: Gardens are open year-round, daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Allow a minimum of 1½ hours. Peak bloom in May and June. Guided tours are offered in spring, summer, and fall and by appt.
Cost: Free
Parking: There is ample parking at the end of the entrance of the park to the left of the road
Trail Size/Difficulty: 1.2 mile loop, easy to slightly moderate in some areas
Handicapped Accessible: Yes, the estate and the grounds of the estate are accessible, although the trails may not be accessible to some people
Highlights: gardens, trails, wildlife, farm, Long Hill estate, family friendly, children’s garden
Fun Facts:
The estate located at Long Hill was purchased by former Atlantic Monthly editor Ellery Sedgwick
The estate is available for weddings and other events
The trustees have partnered with the Food Project to give children the opportunity to learn about sustainable agricultural practices
So, it’s the middle of July already. How did that happen?
After a brief heatwave, the weather has improved and it has been the perfect weather for a walk and photo session at Long Hill. In fact, I liked it so much I went twice.
Long Hill is teeming with flowers and plant life, especially this time of the year.
Adjacent to the flower gardens is what appears to be a storage area where they keep flowers to be planted at a later time.
There are also several flower beds and a well maintained garden next to the main parking area.
There are a variety of trees at Long Hill. Many of them have the name of the tree posted on them.
But, there is only one truly majestic tree at Long Hill; the tree standing in front of the estate at Long Hill.
This dramatic copper beech was planted by the estate owner Mabel Sedgwick. The twin trunks of the tree seem to hug each other and merge together. In fact, legend holds that two trees were planted in the same hole and then they grew together.
The grounds of the estate are well manicured with statues and other decorative items scattered around. The grounds of the house consist of six acres of gardens, including formal, geometric outdoor “rooms.” The sections or “rooms” include a variety of flowers such as handkerchief trees, southern magnolias and other plants that aren’t typically seen this far north.
The grounds are also a wonderful place to have a picnic with your family as this family did with their little one. Their little one was standing behind the tree when the photo was taken.
As if all this wasn’t enough, there is also a 1.2 mile trail with mostly gentle with some moderate inclines. You can find many birds, garter snakes, frog and even a few chipmunks along the way.
If you get tired along the way don’t worry. There are chairs for you to sit.
There are certain sounds you expect to hear while hiking along a trail. A bird squawking. A frog croaking or even a chipmunk chirping. These are all normal sounds you may hear along the trail. But, a rooster crowing? Yes, there is a small farm at Long Hill.
Next to the farm is a community outreach program called The Food Project to teach children how to grow sustainable foods, conserve and even pick their own fruit and vegetables.
Long Hill is a dog friendly park (technically, you may be asked to register your pet and sign some forms beforehand).
During my visits I saw a number of cute dogs.
Brutus is a 5 year old Doberman.
Remy is a 3 year old Jack Russell Terrier mix.
Whiskey is a 5 year old mixed breed dog.
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Parking: there are 2 parking lots. The first parking lot (called the “overflow parking lot”) which has room for about 10 cars is at the beginning of the entrance. The other parking area is about a quarter of a mile down the main entrance road. On the left of the road is room for about a dozen cars.
Trail Size/Difficulty: 782 acres, 5 miles/easy with some moderate inclines
Highlights: scenic, “high ledge”, wildlife, easy trails, vernal pool, flowers, foliage during the fall
Known for its pretty views of the Deerfield River Valley and Mount Greylock area, its variety of flowers along its trails and its various wildlife, High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place for a quick hike to some beautiful views.
The sanctuary is a mixture of 5 miles of paved and dirt trails with a few boardwalks over some marshy areas.
Even though it was near the end of the foliage season, there was still lots of foliage on the trees during my visit. The leaves on the ground added to the beauty of the sanctuary.
Rumor has it wolves roamed the High Ledges. The Wolves’ Den Loop Trail leads to a geologic feature where local lore has it that the last wolf in the region was exterminated.
The highlight of the sanctuary is the overlook, or “high ledge” along the (wait for it…)…Ledges Trail. The rolling hills and colorful trees offer a picturesque vista.
It’s said you can see Mount Greylock from the ledge on a clear day. See it? It’s right there…
Well, it’s somewhere there.
The trails at High Ledges are easy overall. But there are some strenuous areas. My advice would be to stay on the main trails and to basically back track or follow the trail you took to the vista since that is the most direct route back and the trail is the easiest to travel, unless you’re looking for a challenge. I felt the urge for a challenge that day and I usually do try the various trails so I can get a good feel of the park. However, there really wasn’t, save for a few chipmunks and trees, along the side trails.
Chipmunks were busy storing nuts, and chewing on a few, in preparation for another long winter that will sadly soon be here.
Highlights: flowers and plants, scenic, family friendly
Bursting with color and fragrances, Prescott Park is sure to impress even those with the faintest of green thumbs.
A gift from Sarah and Josie Prescott in 1940, Prescott Park has come a long way from its industrial beginnings. The highlight of the park, at least during the summer, has to be the garden that sits at the entrance by Old Bay St and Marcy St. But, Prescott Park has more than just flowers there.
Prescott Park is much more than the garden that I focused on during my visit. In fact, it is such a big area that they hold concerts with such popular artists as Aaron Neville and Valerie June and other events at the park. During my visit they were holding a children’s party where a play was being performed.
There are two memorials at Prescott Park. The first memorial is a fountain which is dedicated to a fountain dedicated to Charles Emerson Hovey, an Ensign in the United States Navy and Portsmouth, NH native, who was killed in action on September 24, 1911.
The next memorial is less obvious. A sign and anchor stand in front of the prominent flower bed at the front of the garden.
The sign in front of the flower bed states “A Salute To An Ordinary Hero.” This “ordinary hero” was Billy Juse, a New Hampshire native, who died in an underground tunnel while he was working on the Deer Island Project during the 1990’s. He was 34. Since he and another coworker, Tim Nordeen, died on the same day John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s body was recovered, his story was overlooked in the news. One solemn reminder remains in the park.
There are also view of the Piscataqua River, a popular spot for boating and kayaking.
There are benches, art and pretty trees and flowers on the way to the garden at Prescott Park.
Prescott Park has a variety of beautiful and colorful plants and flowers. Since we’ve had so much rain and
The flowers ranged from the common to the unique.
To the left in the photo is Pelargonium Geranium Timeless Orange (yeah they look red to me as well), To the right is the Pelargonium Geranium Timeless Pink. Yeah, I know all of the types of flowers in the world. Kidding. They all had their names neatly written on them on cards by the flower beds.
Now for the truly scary part of the tour. The dinosaurs have invaded Prescott Park. This is a great way to get kids interested and involved in viewing the flowers and plants at Prescott. I
Sadly, dogs are not allowed at the flower garden area of Prescott Park. But, I did see lots of dogs like Teddy, a 10 year old Pomeranian, passing by on Old Bay Street which is next to the flower garden.
Today’s featured link is a link to an article that appeared in the Boston Globe magazine about the tragedy on the Deer Island Project in which Billy Juse and some of his co workers perished: Deer Island Tragedy
I made two visits to Bare Cove Park. The first time I visited the park was July 28th. I got there late on the 28th and the lighting was poor. So, I stopped by two days later, Sunday, July 30.
As you can see by the photos, there are some beautiful sunsets at Bear Cove. Unfortunately, the lighting wasn’t very good, though.
Once the site of a U.S. Naval depot (more on this later), Bare Cove Park now is the home to a variety of wildlife. I found many birds during my visit. There are also supposed to be fox, deer and other animals at the park. I didn’t see any of them. But, I did see evidence of them.
If you look closely at the little bird photo at the end, the bird has his or her lunch.
There was a crisp pre-autumn chill in the air when I made my way to Bare Cove Park. It reminded me of the mornings you whittle away before the college and pro football games start. But, I’d rather spend my day at Bare Cove anytime.
The views are simply amazing.
The thing that stood out to me mostly are the variety of pretty trees and flowers at the park.
Bare Cove is only 484 acres and it’s very easy to get around, even without a map of the park. Trust me, I didn’t even get lost and I always get lost. The trails are easy with hardly any inclines and they are mostly paved if you stay on the main trail.
Because of its proximity to Boston, Hingham was considered an important location for the military to produce ammunition and other supplies during World War II. The magazines, or manufacturing buildings, ran 24 hours, 7 days a week and employed thousands of people at is peak.
The dock house (only open Sunday from 12-2) has a variety of items from World War II that were manufactured in this very same area.
There are also two memorials outside of the dockchouse as well as other items from the days of the hey day at Bare Cove. The ammunition depot was closed in the early 1970’s.
The memorial to the left, lying vertically on the ground, is dedicated to the men and women who worked at the ammunition depot during World War i, World War II and the Korean Conflict.
The memorial to the right standing up is dedicated to naval crew members who were lost when some ammunition exploded on a ship they were loading.
While dogs are allowed at Bare Cove the park is not considered a “dog park” per se. All dogs are expected to be leashed or respond immediately to voice commands. In my visits there all of these dogs fit into both or either category.
Here are a few of the cute four legged visitors at Bare Cove that I ran into during my visits.
Hickory is a 7 year old tree walking coon hound.
Bronn, named after a Games Of Throne charcater, is a 9 month old Newfie. His mommy was teaching to fetch.
Gracie is a super friendly 2 year old pitbull.
Tundra (on the left), a 2 year old Golden Retriever, just got finished with his swim and was getting ready to go home. His sibling, Piper (on the right), didn’t want to leave..
During my first visit, on the 28th of July, I met a very nice lady with three dogs.
America is a 10 year old mixed breed dog who got that name because the dog is a mix of many breeds, kind of like how America is a mix of all kinds of people.
Sophia is a 6 year old chihuahua.
Lily is a 10 year old Lab and Collie mix.
Bruiser is a 6 year old part pitbull.
Below is a video of fireflies at Bare Cove Park. The lack of light and various animal aand bird noises give it a little bit of a spooky feel.
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Today’s featured link is a link to a 30 minute documentary that explains the history of Bear Cove Park. The documentary was put together by Scott McMillan, the very same man who gave me a detailed tour of the dockhouse.
Location: 305 Middleton St., No. Andover, MA (about 30 minutes north of Boston and about 1 hour southeast of Concord, NH)
Cost: There are several parking stations to pay per the hour or you can park at the headquarters which is what I did. There wasn’t a charge to park at the headquarters the day I visited. The charge to park at Berry Pond is $5 for MA vehicles; $6 for non-MA vehicles
Hours: trails are open sunrise to sunset. Berry Pond Beach is open 10am-6pm from June 25- Sept 5.
Parking: There are several parking lots throughout the automated pay stations.
Trail Size/Difficulty: 35 miles of logging roads and trails/easy with some challenging inclines
Handicapped Accessible: Yes, the main paves trail is and Berry Pond has several handicapped parking spaces right near the beach.
Dog Friendly: Yes
Highlights: wildlife, beach, lakes, extensive trail system, campground area, rock climbing
One of the more vast state forests I have visited to date, Harold Parker State Forest boasts over 35 miles of trails and roads, a beach (Berry Pond), several ponds and lakes and a variety of wildlife. I spent over 6 hours there and, while I did cover a lot of ground, there was surely some a lot I didn’t see. Tip of the day: if you do go, bring a trail map!
The trails at Harold Parker are generally easy with some moderate inclines. Due to the various streams and wetlands, there are also several boardwalk trails.
Harold Parker is a popular spot for cyclists. According to the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) the single track riding rates at Harold Parker State Forest are: 30% easy, 30% moderate, and 40% difficult with some rocky sections.
It is a little difficult finding the exact entrance to Harold Parker (I found 3 different addresses but I included the address of the headquarters at the top of this post). It’s not a bad thing, though, because you can park in any of the various parking areas. Just to make sure to pay at the pay station when you do park. You can also drive to each different parking area as the main road is paved and fairly wide enough for traffic, cyclists and hikers to share the road.
I began my day at Stearns Pond, one of the many ponds in the area. Fishing is allowed and I met a friendly fisherman who goes there regularly to cast his lines. They also allow non-motorized boating in the ponds. There is an annual fishing festival held in September at the state forest.
Stearns Pond is only one of the many ponds, rivers and streams at Harold Parker State Forest. In fact, it’s hard to keep track of which pond or river you are at, even with the aid of a map. But, there were some amazing views from the various bodies of water.
Unexpectedly, I came across this huge rock. I bet there’s a good story about this rock. I couldn’t find anything about in my research, though. It’s one big rock, though! Right!?
One of the highlights of Harold Parker is Berry Pond which is essentially a beach area and playground for children and families. It was a perfect beach day and the beach was packed. But, with photographic trickery I was able to photograph the beach without showing the sun bathers and swimmers. After all, not everyone wants to be seen in their Speedo.
Walking along the SKUG Reservation Trail, I came across the site of an old quarry and soapstone mill, the Jenkins Mill. There’s not much now to indicate it was once a quarry. If not for the marking on the map and a few rocks dispersed around the area, I would not have known it was once there. It’s kind of a shame that something that meant so much to so many people and was once such an important part of the area is now little more than a blip on the screen.
There are lots of birds, chipmunks, frogs and other critters visible along the trail and in the water at Harold Parker.
Harold Parker State Forest is a dog friendly park. However, I didn’t see as many dogs as I thought I would. I did manage to see these three cuties, though!
Suzie is a 7 month old English Setter. She is hearing impaired. So, she can hear some sounds. Her dad uses signals to help him communicate with her.
Bella (or “Bell”) is a 9 year old Beagle and Lab mix.
Herbie is a 1 year old Pit mix.
Below is a video of one of the brooks that runs through Harold Parker State Forest. Enjoy!
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Parking: There is not a designated parking area. But, there is an area to park by the front gate on the side of the road on Guttersnake Rd
Trail Size/Difficulty: 1.93 miles (Rattlesnake Gutter trail) with connecting loops and other trails that can add a significant amount of distance to your hike. Easy too moderate trails.
Handicapped Accessible: No. The terrain is rocky with some steep inclines
Don’t let the name scare you. There really aren’t any, or at least not many, rattlesnakes at Rattlesnake Gutter Trail. Legend has it rattlesnakes once did populate the area. But, due mostly to a concerted effort to rid the area of these snakes, you’e rarely see a rattlesnake there.
I actually had to make two visits to this trail because some of the photos on one of memory cards were not saved. Yeah, okay, twist my arm. I’ll go again, I figured to myself.
Before you even reach the trail, there is an interesting find in a field at the entrance of Rattlesnake Gutter Rd. A group of bee hives sat under a tree in a pretty field while what looked like a falcon soared high above.
The trail is known more for the chasm that runs through most of the main trail from the Rattlesnake Gutter Rd entrance. The trail is described as a boulder that runs 3/4 mile long and 1/8 mile wide. It produces a lot of pool-like streams between the rocky edges.
There are also several pools of water along the trail with some frogs and other aquatic animals.
Between the rocky sides there is a roughly mile trail with several mini waterfall-like streams and a very long way down if you’re not careful.
The dirt trails are easy to moderate in some areas due to the somewhat strenuous inclines in some areas. At least they were strenuous to a middle aged hiking novice.
The origins of the chasm are unclear. Some theories include a sub glacial melt water channel or a tear at the site of an old geologic fault. Another theory suggests it was caused by a spillway for a temporary pro glacial lake. I would go with the last one. Just because I like to say “pro glacial.” In any event, the rocks show the aftermath of some major event.
Unexpectedly, we found some art along the rocks.
It’s not known who created this art or why. But, it is pretty cool. You know how if you look at a photo or rock long enough, you can see other images? Well, to the right of the tree in the photo below just above the greenery and boulder in the right hand corner of the photo, there appears to be possibly the outline of a cat’s face (you may have to tilt your head to see it). Or, maybe I’ve just drank too much caffeine and I’m seeing things. It could just be the way the rocks appear from the weather and erosion.
We took the main guttersnake trail to the connector loop to Whitney Rd. The connecting loop is hard to find. It is actually a trail made into the side of the hill on the trail that was made into a zig zag design. I wouldn’t have probably found it if I hadn’t noticed someone walking down what looked like the side of a hill.
The Whitney Trail looks a little confusing at first (make sure to follow the red marked trees). But, after a short distance, there will be signs and maps that will help you stay on the trail. That is one of the unusual things about this trail. There are several maps posted throughout the trail. There are alternate routes you can take if you have the time and curiosity. While I am always curious, I didn’t the time. So, I stayed on the Whitney Rd trail. This intersection of trails can take you farther into different sections of the trail system. But, as time was a factor, I was unable to explore more.
Whitney Rd is just that, a road. There are some pretty houses, cute decor and signs as well as beautiful landscapes along this part of the trail.
There were also some interesting rock formations and pretty trees along the way.
Along Whitney Rd, on the left of the trail we saw am empty area with tall trees and what looked like an overlook. To our surprise, we found what looked like an area for parties or other events. A van with speakers and what looked like an audio system was parked in the area. There was also a table with chairs and jug of some kind of adult concoction and some other artistic designs.
Rattlesnake Gutter is the perfect place to take your dog. Although, I would only recommend it for a “fit” dog, as I would recommend it for a “fit” person since the inclines can be deceivingly steep in some places.
These dogs had no problem with the trail.
Huckleberry is a rescue from Mississippi.
Luna is a 3 year old rescue.
Below are two videos of the streams at Rattlesnake Gutter Trail.
Location: 481 Western Ave, Gloucester, MA (about 1 hour northwest of Boston)
Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Cost: Free
Parking: there are 10 parking spots in the lot outside of the park, parking is also available on the side of the road near the park. 10-20 cars can safely fit in the area by the side of the road
Trail Size/Difficulty: 10 miles of trails and former carriage roads. Moderate hiking. Carriage roads are covered with dense crushed stone and are generally wheelchair accessible.
Handicapped Accessible: The main trail and carriage roads are accessible at least for a while. I walked it for over 2 miles and it was an easy, wide trail. The side trails are much more rocky and challenging.
Dog Friendly: Yes
Highlights: wildlife, lakes, vernal pools, easy to moderate trails
Fitbit Stats (distance walked, steps taken and calories burned according to Fitbit watch): 7.8 miles, 17,637 steps, 1,586 calories burned)
Although it is more famous for its long stretches of shoreline and its fishing industry, Gloucester is also home to some beautiful parks. Boasting 10 miles of trails and several bodies of water, Ravenswood is teeming with wildlife.
One of the highlight of the park is Fernwood Lake. Fernwood Lake is bisected by a walking path with open areas to photograph the lake and the animals that inhabit. it.
