11/2/14 Neighborhood

Yesterday was rainy, today we got snow( and the first frost ! ) - this is the morning part of the storm. Kelley was very excited- she loves the snow like a child and couldn't wait to get out into it. It was wet and heavy and my pants were soon wet - there was also a 20-30 mph wind. Kelley didn't mind that either. There was almost no traffic so I was able to let her run free

Then Kelley made a new friend- a pup we had not met before - Fenton

When Fenton went inside we headed home.

Kelley was not ready to come inside and stayed out. - eventually wandering down the street and laying in a neighbors front yard- where she had never gone before . I retrieved her and made her come inside - usually she can be trusted to stay in our yard or  next door if George ( one of her favorite humans) is outside. The snow continued to accumulate and branches and trees started coming down and at 4:00 we lost our power until this morning. 

10/31/14 Sears Island

40's and a mix of sun and clouds. Something different as we hadn't been here in awhile and the tides were right. Poor map- my printer is not working.

We started on the west shore ( we usually start on the other side) planning a different route than usual. The shore at this end of the island is more sand and small stones but there are sections further on with lots of big rocks and difficult footing. I wanted to spare Kelley that today.

A small stream on the Green Trail provided a dip and a drink

and the woods a change from the shore

We followed the road to the jetty and then back to take the Homestead Trail to the shore on the other side.

Looking back as we head for the car.

Turned out to be a nice hike. We met a couple of people and dogs- if we stay on the sure we don't see anyone beyond the start - and I think avoiding the rougher shore was a good idea. 2 hours 

10/30/14 Barrens of Upper Long Pond Road

This is an area of blueberry barrens , woods, and meadows along an abandoned road in Dedham  Maine. We were here once before a little over a year ago. Since then they have cut a lot of trees along the road and left the area next to the road a bit of a mess. There are still the nice views. Supposed to be sunny but we got a mix of sun and clouds.

We walked the road as well as some side roads and this is what we saw.

There was once a settlement here and you can still find old stone walls and a small cemetery. looked like the dates were all in the 1800's .

On the way back we took a short road/drive down to the pond. There were several camps but luckily no one around to witness our trespassing. 

 Kelley found a way into the water

Nice change of pace for us. 2 hours

10/29/14 Essex Woods

We woke to fog and drizzle and after stalling while headed for the nearby woods. I thought an hour would hold us until tomorrow when it's supposed to be clear.

There is a dog park near the parking lot but there was no one in it when we started out and we just wandered around a bit- mostly on the old rail bed which goes through woods and a marshy area.

Some things we saw

Kelley found some water, of course

When we got back to the parking area there were a couple of people with dogs and we went and joined them. Everyone was friendly but Kelley was not into playing- I never know how she will react to other dogs except a couple she sees regularly . Later in the day we got a little rain but it was mostly just a blah day. 

10/28/14 Long Ledges and Baker Hill

Forties, cloudy, and sprinkling. Supposed to be real rain tomorrow so we wanted to hike today anyway.

This time we started from the Long Ledges trailhead.  A pretty trail through woods.

Since the last time we were here they have added a bunch of red flags to the blue paint blazes. At the turn just past the Upper Ledges Loop there was a trail off to the side with neither blazes nor flags ( I have added it's approximate location) and we decided to check it out. It brought us to a pond

We continued on for awhile but not knowing where it led we turned back to resume the route we had planned. Unfortunately the intersection just past that trail has caused us confusion in the past and did again today. Somehow we ended up at the northern gate and turned around to go back and get on track- which we did.

Another section of trail

The West Loop took us to Long Pond

We continued on to reach the ledges on Baker Hill which give some nice views

a pano - please click for large view



We completed the loop and  headed back to our start. Kelley found a little more water

A pretty nice hike. We got sprinkles but not heavy enough to get us out of the woods. The sun tried to come out a couple of times but failed. Kelley seemed to have no problems- I picked this as an easy hike for her.

2  3/4 hours 

10/27/14 City Forest

Gray, 40's, windy. and sprinkles. Good day for the nearby forest.

We did our usual route from Kittredge Rd. on the West Trail and old rail bed.

First stop the beaver pond

The marsh along the rail bed is looking very wintry

Another porcupine- Kelley listened to me and stopped before she reached it

Along the rail bed

From the rail bed we took a different side trail than usual to avoid some sections I knew would be very wet.

One last time in the beaver pond before we head up the hill

The last time we were here there was more color among these trees

A pretty good outing. Kelley was not showing any discomfort, there was lots of water and we met some people and two dogs - all good.  2 hours