Tag Archives: trees

August 24, 2016

Odiorne Point State Park (Rye, NH)

Date Visited: August 6, 2016

Location: 570 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 603-436-7406

Hours: Open everyday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (I got there well before 8 and the gates were already open). Open but unstaffed after 10/11

Cost: $4 for adults $2 for children (ages 6-11), NH residents who are seniors (over 65) or younger than 6 get in free

Parking: There are about 50 parking spots in the main parking area. There are additional parking lots along the beach

Time To Allot For Visit: 1 to 2 hours

Trails: Easy

Dog Friendly: No

Highlights: abundant wildlife (mostly birds), pretty flowers and trees, lighthouse (Whaleback Light), scenic views, play area for children, “sunken forest”, science center, historical site

Lowlights: Parking can be tough (especially during the summer), since it is considered a beach dogs are not allowed at the park

Odiorne Point State Park Trail Map

Odiorne Point State Park Website

The location of the first English settlement in New Hampshire, Odiorne Point has a very storied past.

Named after the Odiorne family who settled there during the 1660’s, Odiorne Point is probably best known for being a military installation during World War 2. Known as Fort Dearborn at the time, Odiorne Point was part of the military’s attempt to modernize the U.S. coast defenses. Part of the military installation served as a radar station by the United States Air Force beginning in 1949, and in 1955 this became the Rye Air Force Station. None of the Air Force’s installation remains there. Looking at the historical remnants of the fort it is obvious how far we have come as a military power. Real shells, a bunker entrance, a battery and other historical structures are scattered throughout the entrance to the park.

The park also has a science center located at the end of one of the main paths where people can learn about nature and the various wildlife that inhabit the park.

The trails at the park were easy to negotiate. However, if you do go off trail to get a closer view of the surroundings and wildlife you have to be careful and be mindful of the water level. I will touch on this later in the post.

As you can see from the photos above, the plants and trees at Odiorne are beautiful even if they are directly next to a dumpster.

Only about an hour’s drive north of Boston, Odiorne Point has something for people of all ages to enjoy. There is a play area for children as well as picnic tables and benches for people to sit and eat while they take in all of the beautiful views.

This particular family had a hungry visitor eyeing them as they ate lunch.

The birds are one of the main attractions of the park. A wide variety of gulls, egrets and other birds frequent the park.

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The views at Odiorne State Park are pretty all year round. The lighthouse, Whaleback Light, provides a majestic backdrop for any photo. The weather was very erratic when I made my visit. It was rainy and raw when I first arrived at the park in the early morning hours. After waiting out the rain, the clouds gave way to the sun. Then, the wind picked up and drove the waves against the rocks. Basically, I experienced just about all the weather New England has in one day. In other words, it was a typical New England day.

Perhaps the biggest attraction of Odiorne Point State Park is the “sunken forest”. If you arrive during low tide, you can see what used to be a forest or some other land. What appears to be tree stumps, rocks and other land based structures appear on the floor of what will rapidly become the bottom of the body of water.

So, during low tide you can easily traverse these rocks (make sure to not try this with sandals on or barefoot) and get closer to the birds, ocean and other rocks. One important thing to keep in mind is the tide comes in pretty quickly. I made it out to the rocky area where the birds were all hanging out. Then, suddenly, I realized just how much water had accumulated around me. I quickly ran/sloshed through ankle deep water along the pebbles to make it back to land before it got too late. If I waited half an hour longer I would have been swimming back to shore. Below are some side side examples of just how quickly the water rises. The time lapse is only about an hour.

Below are two videos of the waves and scenery at Odiorne Point.

Similar Places In New England I Have Visited:

Colt State Park (Bristol, RI)

Moswetuset Hummock (Quincy, MA)

Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison, CT)

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11 Comments | tags: attractions, birds, boats, ducks, flowers, Historical, Nature, New England, new hampshire, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, rocks, scenic, trees, water | posted in birds, boats, flowers, forest, New England, new hampshire, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

August 22, 2016

Breakheart Reservation (Saugus, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: August 14, 2016

Location: 177 Forest St, Saugus, MA 781-223-0834

Parking: There are about 30 parking spots at the entrance to the park. There is also off street parking and parking available down the street at Kasabuski Arena (201 Forest St).

Cost: Free

Hours: Open everyday sunrise to sunset

Size: 640 acres

Time To Allot For Visit: At least 1 to 3 hours

Trail difficulty: Easy to Moderate in some areas

Dog Friendly: Yes

Fun For One: Yes

Highlights: scenic views – especially from Eagle Rock, beach, play area for children, trails for cycling and running, fishing is allowed

Lowlights: side trails end without warning, some rocky terrain

Trail Map: Breakheart Reservation Trail Map

Website: Breakheart Reservation

Once a hunting ground and camp area for Paleo Indians as far back as the Archaic and Woodland eras (roughly 1000 – 2000 BCE), Breakheart Reservation boasts two grand lakes, scenic vistas, a beach, a play area for children and miles of trails.

The trails are mostly easy with some moderately difficult trails and inclines. The side trails can be challenging more because of the rocky and narrow terrain rather than the inclines. The one downside to taking the side trails is that some of the side trails end without warning, such was the case with the Saugus River Trail which is one of the first side trails you will see when you enter the park. The Cedar Glen Golf Course abuts the park. So, you’ll hear and see golfers whacking their golf balls around. Also, one side trail leads to the children’s camping site which you’re not supposed to access and yet another trail just ends near a store’s parking lot. So, you end up walking long distances only to have to turn around. If you want to avoid walking on trails that end suddenly, it’s best to stay on the main trail and the trails that loop around the lake.

The two lakes at Breakheart Reservation, Pearce Lake and Silver Lake, have trails that loop around the bodies of water.

Pearce Lake (considered the lower pond) has a beach and some very pretty views. It runs along the main trail and along some of the side trails. It is the larger of the two lakes and it is where the beach is loacted.

Although Lake Pearce is the larger of the two lakes, I found Lake Silver (the upper pond) to be more intriguing than Lake Pearce.

Lake Pearce has two smaller islands in the lake. One of the islands is accessible via a makeshift walking bridge of branches, sticks and anything else that you can walk on to get to the island. Except for some pretty views there wasn’t much on the island.

At an elevation of 206 feet, Eagle Rock offers scenic views of the Boston skyline and surrounding areas. One suggestion I would make if you do try to climb up to Eagle Rock (it’s a moderate climb) is to use the “back” way to the vista (aptly names Eagle Rock Trail). I went straight up along the rocky edge along the Pearce Lake Trail and it was more challenging than it would have been if I had gone up via the trail on Eagle Rock Trail. There are other points of higher elevation on other trails such as Castle Rock and Crow Hill.

There are many other beautiful and interesting things along the trails at Breakheart Reservation.

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Breakheart has a paved main trail which is usually packed with runner, cyclists and people walking their dogs, especially at the Bark Place where dogs are allowed off leash for a section of the trail.

Breakheart Reservation stopped allowing vehicles on the trails some time ago. It was great not having to look over your shoulder or carefully turn a corner worrying if a car or other vehicle might be coming your way. It also allows lots of room for all the walkers, runners and, of course, the dogs that frequent the park.

These dogs had a great time at Breakheart Reservation during my visit…

Bailey is a 6 year old Black Mouth Cur

Cooper is a 7 year old Golden Retriever.

Free is an 8 year old Bichon and Shih Tzu mix.

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Similar Places In New England I Have Visited:

Dorrs Pond, Manchester, NH

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Rutland State Park

Below is a video of the view from Eagle Rock.

18 Comments | tags: attractions, Breakheart Reservation, dogs, Hiking, Historical, lakes, Massachusetts, Nature, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, Saugus, scenic, trees, water | posted in dogs, lake, New England, park, photographs, photography, photos, scenic, skyline, trails, Uncategorized, views, water

August 5, 2016

Scott Tower (Holyoke, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: July 30, 2016

Location: 8 Scott Tower Rd, Holyoke, MA, behind the Community Field Park at 51 Community Field Park, Holyoke, MA

Hours: Open everyday, no hours listed but it can be dangerous at night

Cost: Free

Parking: Roughly a couple of dozen parking spots are available at Community Field

Dog Friendly: Yes

Time To Allot For Visit: Between half and hour and an hour

Highlights: the tower, pretty views of West Springfield and the surrounding area, wildlife, plant life, easy mile hike

Lowlights: Graffiti all over the tower (all. over), a lot of broken bottles and other litter on the premises, some stairs to the top of the tower have holes in them or are missing, tower not accessible by car

Fun For One: Yes

The walk to the tower is an easy mile walk with a few moderate inclines. An easy way to locate the trail to Scott Tower is to look for the overpass. Walk directly under the overpass and stay on the asphalt trail. There are a lot of side trails and trees, plants, graffiti and remnants of what looks like used to be a waterfall or wall. Now, the party days are way behind the Nomad but zig zags and 4:20? Well, I guess things don’t change that much after all. You crazy Holyoke kids.

Below is a side by side comparison of what the tower reportedly looked like in its heyday (July 16, 1972), a photo of what it looked like in May 31, 2004 and what it looks like now (July 30, 2016). Yes, it’s pretty cringe worthy.

As a footnote, the tower was originally built in 1942. Also, there used to be a fence around the tower which you can see at the bottom of the second photo taken in 2004. The fence seemed to work as there is very little if any graffiti on the tower in the second photo. Of course, the fence was torn down (presumably by visitors) and the graffiti and vandalism escalated.

July 16, 1972

May 31, 2004

July 30, 2016

There was also a lot of rustling in the brush from squirrels, chipmunks and other types of wildlife. The vulture on the pole we saw on the way to the tower seemed like a bad harbinger.

Once the main attraction of Craft Hill at Anniversary Hill Park, Scott Tower is now a shell of what it once was. Graffiti and litter cover the tower and it appears to be in disrepair. In fact, you can see some remnants of what look like what used to be tables or shelters. Even with all of the graffiti and litter, the tower is still impressive.

Not all of the graffiti was just messy chicken scratch. Whenever I go to a landmark in MA, especially Western MA, there is bound to be some artistic renderings. There wasn’t anything too artsy there but these images did catch my eye.

Scott Tower has two areas for observation. There is an observation deck on the second floor and there is an enclosed area at the top of the tower. The tower offers views of nearby Mount Tom and the Holyoke area. The views are pretty sweet. Just be careful if you do go to the top. Some of the stairs are missing or have holes in them.

It’s pretty far down from the second floor of the tower.

The tricky thing about accessing Scott Tower is you have to park at Community Field Park (use the entrance off Cherry St). The entrance is behind the park. There is usually a gate up that you can easily navigate around. You will have to pass under an overpass on your way to the tower. It is about a mile walk to the tower. You will see many side trails on your way to the tower but stay on the main trail for the easiest, most direct route.

While I was at Community Field Park before we began the walk to Scott Tower, we saw this beautiful dog. Remy is a 4 year old Black and Tan Coonhound

Below are some videos of a walking tour of the tower. I really had to watch my step in the first video. So, it’s mostly a video of the stairs and me wheezing.

I had to stop the second video so I could take some photos of the openings in the tower and the walls.

Just as an aside, I am regularly updating my categories at the top and bottom of my posts. The “fun for one” category at the top simply means it can be fun to do by yourself. Being a single person, I often take this into account before I decide to photograph or visit places. I went with my mom this time so it was a lot of fun but it was something you could do by yourself or, better yet, with a dog!

Similar places in New England I have visited:

Poet’s Tower, Greenfield, MA

Bancroft Tower, Worcester, MA

Similar places in New England I have not visited (yet):

Scargo Tower, Dennis (Cape Cod), MA

Newport Tower, Newport, Rhode Island

24 Comments | tags: attractions, dog, graffiti, Hiking, Holyoke, Massachusetts, Nature, New England, photographs, Photography, scenic, tower, trail, trees | posted in dog, Massachusetts, New England, photograph, photographs, photography, photos, tower, Uncategorized

July 29, 2016

Salem Willows (Salem, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: July 23, 2016

Location: 167 Fort Ave, Salem, MA

Hours: The website for Salem Willows shows their hours as being daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. but you can get in to the park before 11. We got their just before 10 and there was already some people there. I think the hours are the hours of operation for the restaurants and other businesses in that area.

Cost: Free

Parking: There are about 60 metered parking spots. The meters cost 25 cents an hour. There is also about 50 additional free parking spots in a nearby lot and off street parking is available.

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: Family friendly, arcades, restaurants, willow trees, harbor, scenic walking path, grassy areas to grill, relax and for kids to play, jetty, place to rent surfboards and other aquatic sporting goods

As I entered Salem Willows I couldn’t help but think of my childhood of carnivals and traveling shows. My friends and I would be so excited when the fair came to town. Now, the fair is always in town. In these days of sit down eateries and chain restaurants, it was refreshing. If you d go, try the slushies or get a cone at Cappy’s!

Salem Willows has changed so much since its original opening in 1880. Willows Pavilion which featured a skating rink and restaurant dominated the landscape. Now, the area where the takeout food vendors are located still keeps the name of “on the line”. But, the restaurants are much different. In place of the sit down, grand restaurants stand take out vendors and ice cream shops.

There is also a stage for bands and other entertainers to perform. Named after former Salem resident and veteran, the Robert F Hayes Band Stand holds a summer concert series every year as well as holding other events.

But, there is so much more to Salem Willows than nostalgic stroll past the smell of flour dough and the buzzing and ringing from the vendors and arcades. Salem Willows is also, as the name would suggest, known for all of the willow trees planted to offer shade and beauty to the area.

The mostly shady loop around the bay and back too the parking area is an easy half mile walk. Along the way there are benches to sit on and a jetty to fish off or just enjoy the views. The views from the bay were very pretty. A variety of flowers and scenic views frame the busy blue waterway.

There was a lot of activity on and in the water at Salem Willows. That is a man swimming in the last photos

There is also a place to rent surf/paddle/body boards and other watercraft and flotation devices.

Salem’s love of art is evident even in the most unlikely places. These trash cans and rocks displayed some of the street art of Salem. I especially like the art on the rocks. Each block has a different symbol of the area painted on them.

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Salem Willows is a great place to bring your dog for a short walk. Dixie, a 4 year old Maltese, was enjoying the seasonal weather and cool breeze when she stopped to pose for photos for me.

Video of “on the line” from Salem Willows

16 Comments | tags: attractions, boats, dogs, Massachusetts, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, road trip, scenic, trees, views, water | posted in boats, dog, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Salem, scenic, Uncategorized, water

July 18, 2016

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary (Topsfield, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: July 16, 2016

Location: Mass Audubon, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA (about half an hour north of Boston, MA and an hour southeast of Manchester, NH) 978-887-9264

Hours: presently, Tues–Fri, 9 am–4 pm
weekends & Mon holidays, 9 am–5 pm

November-April
Tues-Sun & Mon holidays, 9 am-4 pm

May-October
Tues–Fri, 9 am–4 pm
weekends & Mon holidays, 9 am–5 pm

Trails
Tues-Sun, & Mon holidays, dawn to dusk

Cost:

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

Parking: There are about 50 parking spots. You shouldn’t have too much of a hard time finding parking unless there is an event or summer camp is in session

Size: 12 square miles

Time To Allot For Visit: I was there 5 hours and I still didn’t see everything but you can take in most of the best parts of the park in 2 to 3 hours

Dog Friendly: No, most Audubon parks are not dog friendly

Highlights: bodies of water, plentiful wildlife, pretty flowers and plants, observation tower, canoe rentals (if you’re a Mass Audubon member)

From the moment I walked to the visitor center at the Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, I encountered wildlife. In fact, I found this rabbit chewing on some greenery in the shrub by the office.

That is the great thing about Ipswich River Sanctuary. If you’re an animal lover, or even if you just like them a little, then you will love this place.

Not only are the animals abundant, they are also relatively friendly and not all that shy. Well, most of them weren’t too shy.

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The well-fed red squirrel let me get very close to him or her, so long as I didn’t affect his or her food supply. A lady who had been sitting there on the bridge wall before I arrived has been intentionally leaving seeds or some other type of food the squirrel was enjoying which allowed me to get some great shots. Thanks, random lady!

There are also a wide variety of bugs and other insects at the park. Bug spray and covering up are a must (I especially suggest a hat since one particular bug kept landing in my hair). And most bug sprays don’t stop all bugs. The black insect below was particularly menacing. Also, I never saw so many dragon flies in one spot as I did at Ipswich River Sanctuary but they were pretty harmless.

There are some beautiful views and plant life at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. The colors of the flowers really pop out and the trails are well defined. Many of these pretty features of the landscape were created 15,000 years ago by a glacier.

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You can also rent canoes, if you are a member, for $10/hour for a minimum of 2 hours. So, the cost is $20 or more. You pay for the canoes at the front office and then you have to lug the paddles and life vests along with a key to the where the canoes are locked up (about a half a mile or so away) at the canoe launch. The canoe launch is right next to where the canoes are locked up.

One thing I have seen at other parks that is present at Ipswich are bat boxes. These bat boxes are designed to give daytime roots for little brown bats. Bats are important because they eat lots of mosquitoes and other insects, the plaque next to the boxes explains (then get more bats there please). Little brown bats have been the victims of white nose syndrome,an illness which has been affecting brown bats while they hibernate during the winter. The cause is not yet known. So, the boxes are meant to give them a safe and convenient way for them to rest. The boxes were constructed by Eagle Scout Sean Enos and Boy Scout Troop 48 of Lynnfield, MA. The lumber was donate by a local business.

There is also an observation tower at Ipswich Wildlife Sanctuary. The three story tower built of wood is a little shaky but safe. The tower overlooks a swamp and meadow. There wasn’t much wildlife except for the very occasional bird (I included photos of the egret and other bird who landed in the water in the earlier slideshow). I think that is you had unlimited time and a lot of patience as well as a good set of binoculars (I didn’t have any of those things) you could see a few grand birds.

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One of the things I noticed and I had not seen before my trip to Ipswich are pink water lilies. I have seen white water lilies but never saw the pink water lilies until my visit there.

Like most Mass Audubon sanctuaries, the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is well kept and family friendly. The grounds are well manicured and there is even a play area for children. They also have a summer camp program where they teach children about nature in a fun and exciting way. All in all, the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is a fun and exciting place for people of all ages.

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3 Comments | tags: animals, birds, Hiking, Massachusetts, Nature, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, river, scenic, tower, trees, water | posted in animals, birds, fish, flowers, hiking, New England, park, photographs, photography, photos, plants, trails, Uncategorized

July 10, 2016

Robinson State Park (Feeding Hills, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates Visited: July 3 & 4, 2016

Location: 428 North St, Feeding Hills (Agawam), MA

Cost: $8 for MA vehicle, $10 for non-MA vehicle

Parking: There are about 50 parking spots in the park itself at various designated parking areas. There are also several entrances besides the actual entrance to the park where you can park for free but there are gates at these entrances and you have to walk rather than drive to the beach and fields in the park.

Time To Allot For Visit: 3 to 4 hours to hike the entire park

Size of the park: 800 acres, 5 miles of frontage on the Westfield River

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: walking trails, stream, beach, picnic area, fields, lots of wildlife, great for bikers, joggers, walkers and dogs

Known for its abundant wildlife, long paved trail and scenic views of the Westfield River, Robinson State Park is one of my favorite parks to visit. I love the paved, winding trail and abundant wildlife. I have jogged the main trail hundreds, if not thousands, of times. The wide paved trail is wide enough to accommodate joggers, bikers, walkers and even vehicles (cars are allowed on the main paved trail during the summer months only).

About a mile or a little more than a mile from the main entrance there is a small beach next to a grassy area for people to relax and sun themselves. If you’re lucky, you may even see a tadpole.

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One thing to keep in mind is there are a lot of bugs in the area. Since it is located by a stream of water, bugs and mosquitoes are a real problem, especially during the summer months. So, either cover up or use bug spray if you plan on hiking the various trails. Another downside to the park, if you want to call it that, is that some trails just seem to end…right in people’s backyards. This happened on two of the side trails I ventured on. No biggie. You just turn around and come back the way you came. But it can be anticlimactic and annoying (for the homeowner as much as it would be for you).

The Westfield River runs along the paved trail giving off some pretty views. There are some side trails you can use to get a better view.

There is a pond just down the trail from the beach. I heard lots of frogs, toads and other wildlife in the pond but they are pretty well hidden.

Robinson Park is also teeming with wildlife. In fact, Westfield, one of the cities the park borders, is known for its black squirrels. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any during my visit or at least none that I could photograph. But, there were plenty of other animals visible at the park the days I visited.

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There is also a pond and a variety of trees, plants, flowers and berries along the trails.

The trails are well defined and there are a number of bridges at the park.

Because it has such a wide main trail and lots of area to roam, Robinson Park is a great place to walk your dog and I ran into quite a few cute dogs during my visits.

Oliver is an 11 year old Collie and Chow mix.

Josie is a 9 year old Cocker Spaniel.

And Bruno is a 2 year old Shepherd and Lab mix rescue.

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19 Comments | tags: attractions, beach, birds, dogs, Massachusetts, Nature, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, pond, scenic, trees, water, wildlife | posted in animals, family friendly, Massachusetts, nature, New England, park, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized, wildlife

July 4, 2016

Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: July 2, 2016

Location: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA 508-347-3362 (about 45 minutes east of Springfield, MA and an hour west of Boston, MA)

Hours: presently, open Daily | 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

November 1-27
Open Wednesday through Sunday | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23
Christmas by Candlelight | 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Fri/Sat/Sun
Please Note: CLOSED during daytime hours
CLOSED December 24, 25

Cost: $28 for adult, $26 for seniors (55 and over), $14 for youths (3-17), children under 3 are admitted free. They also have annual long family memberships.

Parking: about 200 parking spots, fills up quickly. Cars were parked on the grass and other non designated parking spaces when we left because of the large crowd

Time To Allot For Visit: I could spend all day here but 3 hours should do it.

Dog Friendly: No

Highlights: historical actors and portrayal of life in the colonial area era, historical homes, animals, family friendly events, special events throughout the year, stagecoach rides

Old Sturbridge Village

What better time than the fourth of July to take a trip back to the colonial days of our country where they relive those early days everyday?

Old Sturbridge Village is 200 acre living museum which recreates life in rural New Ebgland during the 1790’s through the 1830’s. It is the largest living museum in New England.

As you enter the grounds of Sturbridge Village you see flags that represent fallen servicemen and women.

From the moment you walk into the museum, there are symbols and characters from the past everywhere.

The day began appropriately with the flag raising. One of the historical actors selected two children from the crowd to help him raise the flag.

Throughout the day there were many more reenactments. There was the firing of the cannons, marching, drilling and even musket firing (with blanks of course).

Of course, the houses are one of the biggest attractions. The woman in this house was making stays. This house is called the “Small House.”

The Meetinghouse is another big attraction. For 100 years, Friends, also known as Quakers, worshiped in this building. This particular meetinghouse was originally set in Bolton, MA. As you can see by the photos, there was no pulpit, altar, statues or other decorative symbols. Men and women entered the meetinghouse separately in different entrances and sat on separate sides of the building. The Quakers are remembered for their temperance and anti slavery beliefs.

While the exterior of the houses were very pretty, the interior of the houses were even nicer. It also gave you a real feel of what it was like to live back then. The historical actors were both entertaining and engaging.

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The other great thing about the village was the animals. Meet Jim and Jerry (from left to right). Jim and Jerry are the horses who drive the carry all wagon.

There were also a variety of farm animals. This sheep was wandering around until he heard his mom calling out to him for feeding time and he came running.

The rest of the animals at the village were just as beautiful.

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The village also has little shops and buildings with craftsman and people common to the era like a blacksmith and a tin maker as well as a band call the Quintebrass who played patriotic music of that era.

You could spend all day visiting the many buildings and attractions at the village or just taking in the beautiful views and atmosphere of the area.

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Sturbridge Village even has toys from the era that kids (or adults) can play with.

The River Ride on the Quinebag takes you around the Quinebag River. The boat driver also gave a historical overview of the area. The ride costs $3 a person and lasts about 10-15 minutes.

On the way out, there was a nice surprise. We noticed a building set off to the side; the J. Cheney Wells Clock Gallery. The clock gallery was a quiet clock museum. It was fascinating seeing the evolution of time keeping and it felt like a library because it was quiet and set off by itself. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the historical museum area.

There is also a cafe there (most of their food is cooked outside barbecue style during the warmer seasons and the smell is sure to make you hungry). There are also several comfort stations scattered around the area.

Below are some videos of the various recreations at Sturbridge Village.

The first cannon firing below was just to get the debris out of the cannon and prep it for the actual cannon firing which is in the second cannon firing video below the first cannon firing video. The second video is a little long because the men wanted to wait until the stagecoach passed by so they didn’t startle the horse.

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14 Comments | tags: animals, attractions, Historical, history, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, travel, trees | posted in animals, historical, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

July 1, 2016

Green Animals Topiary Garden (Portsmouth, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: June 25, 2016

Location: 380 Corys Ln, Portsmouth, RI (about 15 minutes north of Newport, RI and 1 hour south of Boston, MA) (401) 683-1267

Hours: Open everyday 10-5 seasonally (May 21 – Oct. 10 this year but the dates may change each year)

Cost: $15.99 for adults, $6.99 for youth (ages 6-17). There are discounts available if you provide an AARP card (I’m not quite that old yet) and if you have AAA and possibly if you’re in the military. Take note that the Green Gardens is considered part of the Newport Mansions and their prices are based on how many houses you visit. In this case, the price was based on a one house tour because there is only one mansion on the premises (the Brayton House)

Parking: Free parking for 24 vehicles

Dog Friendly: No (service dogs may be allowed)

Highlights: shrubs and bushes cut into shapes of animals and other shapes, pretty flowers and gardens, mansion (Brayton House)

If you think the grass is always greener on the other side, you’ve never been to the Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Located adjacent to the Brayton house, the Green Animals display is the brainchild of gardener Joseph Carreiro. Carreiro began the topiary in 1905 and the 80 pieces of topiary have been in place at the garden ever since.

The topiary may be the main attraction. But the flowers and plants are also very pretty. In fact, as much as I loved the different shapes at the topiary, I found the flowers and the garden near the side of the topiary to be just as appealing.

The website states there are 80 different shapes sculpted into the greenery (although I don’t remember seeing that many). I have included the most interesting of these 80.

The Damask Rose Garden is featured at the entrance of the topiary.

The topiary has shapes of all kinds of animals. Like this giraffe.

with her/his baby giraffe (the black dot in this and some other photo is dirt on my sensor which I didn’t notice until after I got home unfortunately)

And this duck.

This is a growly bear (it is standing on its hind quarters)

Not all of the shapes are made in the image of creatures that are presently with us. This dinosaur was one of the scarier shapes in the garden.

This colorful shape is of a yew rooster

I don’t usually get this close to lions.

This swan peaked her head out among the other green animals.

This appears to be a bird

It was a little warm for a polar bear

Reindeers aren’t just in the North Pole.

There are even human shapes cut into the greenery. This human is riding a horse.

This police officer helped direct traffic around the green garden. I am not sure if he is affiliated with the Portsmouth department.

There’s even a mythical unicorn

This baby bear just wants a hug

There are even inanimate objects cut into the greenery. For instance, you can take a seat in this chair if you get tired (I am just kidding, you’re not allowed to climb and/or touch the greenery)

One of the few birds who actually sits still long enough for me to photograph him

I looked like this elephant was going to charge!

I don’t mean to boar you with this piece from the topiary.

The handout I received did not have a description for this shape. it appears to be a train.

This mommy and baby bear were sitting outside the Brayton mansion.

There is also a pet cemetery located at the topiary. Four pets of the owners are buried there. This section is very peaceful and decorative. The cemetery has a bench for sitting and reflecting and gravestones with the names of the deceased friends. It is very tranquil.

The flowers and garden are well kept and have some very vivid colors. I thought it was cute how they had “scarepeople” instead of scarecrows. I also liked the different chairs and wind vane and other decor around the grounds.

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There is also a fish pond with goldfish in it.

I also liked the Brayton House. They do not allow flash photography in the house (although you can take photos with your cellphone). I don’t like how photos look on my cellphone so I didn’t take any photos in the house but it is a must see on the tour.

24 Comments | tags: attractions, flowers, garden, Historical, Nature, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, plants, scenic, travel, trees | posted in flowers, garden, New England, photographs, photography, photos, plants, Rhode Island, topiary, trees, Uncategorized

June 9, 2016

Mass Audubon Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary (Easthampton, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: June 1, 2016

Location: 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA

Hours:

Trails & Restrooms:
Daily, dawn to dusk

Visitor Center
Mon-Thurs, 9 am – noon
Fri, 9 am – 3:30 pm
Sat, 9 am – noon
Sunday seasonally

Cost:

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

A year long pass for new members cost me $32 for a “family” pass which includes two named adults living in the same household and their children or grandchildren under the age of 18 to free admission. It usually costs $65. The levels of passes can range from an individual ($48) to patron ($500). Check their website or call them for more details.

Parking: Parking was abundant. There were some events for children going on when I went and there was room for everyone to park there.

Dog Friendly: No pets are allowed. So leave Fido at home!

Highlights: miles of trails, observation tower, lots of wildlife, great blue heron rookery, camps, programs, classes and activities (particularly for children), friendly and helpful staff

Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary

Located about 20 minutes north of Springfield, MA and just over an hour and a half west of Boston, MA, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary is teeming with a variety of wildlife. Some of the wildlife you see may surprise you.

I had never been so close to a deer, at least not in the wild. I was close enough to almost pat her. It was almost unreal to be so close to such a beautiful animal and not scare her off.

According to the staff member I spoke to about this doe, this particular doe was not an original resident of the sanctuary. But, due to over development of the area and other factors, she has found her way to the sanctuary.

The 5 mile loop is well marked (remember the yellow path leads back to the visitor center). There is an observation tower on the main trail (to the right of the trail). It was pretty shaky but it gave some great views.

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On the walkway to the tower, I made a friend. This immature redtail hawk is another animal that wasn’t originally at the sanctuary. But, he or she has made a home there and the bird didn’t seem to shy until I got too close when he or she flew off onto a tree branch.

Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful park. Even if you’re not into photography, birding or looking for wildlife you would still enjoy a scenic hike on the trails.

There are two markers on a pole next to the observation tower displaying the levels of two of the big floods in the area (the floods of 1936 and 1984).

I was a little disappointed too not see any turtles, frogs or other critters. But, I saw and heard lots of chipmunks. Either the last chipmunk in the right hand corner is very long or I should have changed my photo settings. I thought it looked funny so I kept it!

Audubon sanctuaries are always a safe bet for a fun time at a clean and well maintained park with a lot of wildlife and Arcadia was no different.

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12 Comments | tags: birds, deer, doe, hawk, Hiking, Massachusetts, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, plants, trees, water | posted in birds, hawk, Massachusetts, New England, park, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized, wildlife

May 31, 2016

Moswetuset Hummock (Quincy, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 21, 2016 & May 22, 2016

Location: East Squantum St, Squantum (Quincy), MA

Cost: Free

Parking: about 8 parking spots. Parking is also available at the beach which is located about half a mile away on Quincy Shore Drive and is an easy walk to Moswetuset.

Highlights: great views, easy trail, secluded, not usually very busy, a lot of historical significance

Mosewtuset may seem much like all the other small parks that dot the Massachusetts shoreline. But, its significance in the historical landscape of Massachusetts and all of the colonies and commonwealths should never be minimized.

Moswetuset is not only significant because the commonwealth of Massachusetts derived its name from Moswetuset but it is also the original trading place of Chickatawbot Sacamore and Myles Standish in 1621 that spurred the trade of the early settlers and the Native Americans. Moswetuset was also the area they used as their planting grounds.

What does a funky name like Moswetuset mean, you may ask. Moswetuset has been translated into “shaped like an arrowhead” (the area does have a distinct arrowhead shape) and “site of the great house.” The area is shielded by rows of trees and growth.

The trail is an easy loop with a very minor incline.

Only underscoring how small things can be very big in their place in history, Moswetuset is only a quarter of a mile loop, if that. But, it does offer some pretty views and it is a nice place to take a short stroll or sit on one of the many rocks along the beach (Moswetuset is located next to Wollaston Beach). It was low tide when I went so I was able to get out onto the rocks and get some decent views of the water and the surrounding neighborhood of Squantum (which is technically part of Quincy) which is in the background of the photos.

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Of course, what would a park or attraction in Quincy be without graffiti? There were some interesting works of graffiti at Moswetuset.

Moswetuset is a popular place for dog walkers. But, for some reason, there weren’t any dog walkers at Moswetuset when I visited. I found Buddy, though, on my way to my car as I walked along the beach.

7 Comments | tags: attractions, beach, birds, dog, Hiking, Historical, Massachusetts, Nature, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, scenic, trees, views, water | posted in beach, birds, Massachusetts, New England, park, photographs, photography, photos, quincy, Uncategorized, water

New England Nomad

Tag Archives: trees

Odiorne Point State Park (Rye, NH)

Breakheart Reservation (Saugus, MA)

Scott Tower (Holyoke, MA)

Salem Willows (Salem, MA)

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary (Topsfield, MA)

Robinson State Park (Feeding Hills, MA)

Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge, MA)

Green Animals Topiary Garden (Portsmouth, RI)

Mass Audubon Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary (Easthampton, MA)

Moswetuset Hummock (Quincy, MA)

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