1/23/16 DeMeritt Forest

Twelve degrees and cloudy. I wanted to just lie on the couch with a coffee and a book but we made the drive to DeMeritt.

We started on Logan road and found it had been groomed, providing good footing. Most of the trails and roads  we were on had been groomed - for the skiers.

No water for Kelley - only ice

We did the green trail which in warmer weather is often too wet. It had also been groomed, but then a section of the Blue was not - still had had enough use to make descent footing.

On Spring Road we found a bench that had been used.

Kelley did well and seemed to have no problems on the ungroomed trails

One of my favorite sections on the Red Trail.

We also met a couple and their dog on the trail and that made Kelley happy. Usually we meet no one.

So, not a bad hike - even though I am not always anxious to go, once we are on the trail I am always glad I came. 1  1/2 hours 

1/22/16 City Forest

Cold and windy but sunny. Yesterday we had a rest day with just a short walk around the neighborhood. This morning Kelley seems to have recovered from our overlong hike the day before yesterday. We first went to the snowmobile trail at the end of Fox Hollow Rd., only to find it had not been in use. Not sure what is going on with many of the nearby trails - they  don't seem to be being used this year. Next choice the forest.

We started from the inner parking lot as the beaver pond is frozen, I didn't take many pictures - just enough to show conditions.

The West Trail was nicely packed with good footing.

At the end of West we went down to the railbed and found someone had run a snowmobile down it - more good footing ( last time we had checked it, only a skier had used it)

Knowing the side trail we usually use has been partly closed we took another we use less often. It had enough use to make it good walking too. Kelley actually started down it running.

A nice hike. Kelley did very well and was enthusiastic, leading most of the way. We also met several people and two dogs which always makes her happy. 1  3/4 hours

1/20/16 Lagrange Rail-Trail

A little warmer  - 20's - but still windy. We hadn't done this one yet this winter and rarely meet anyone on it. We started from Medford Center. Can't tell where we reached on this map. The trail is 11 miles long - we also hike it from the Lagrange end.

Another old railbed converted to a recreational trail. Mostly a straight shot through woods.

  with some wetlands

and streams

Kelley reluctantly crossing the bridge - there were small open spaces which she doesn't like - she had explored the possibility of going around but the banks were too steep and snowy.

More wetlands

Patterns in the ice

 
Some leaves on the ground - it was too windy to photograph most plants

My goal had been a larger stream but when we hadn't reached it after well over an hour we turned back - apparently farther than I had remembered. The hike was 2  3/4 hours long and I feared too long for Kelley, though she was enthusiastic and did well throughout ,  leading at the end. ( She was stiff next morning so we will have an easy walk or day off) . Not an especially  exciting trail but pleasant with  good walking and except for one snowmobiler we had it to ourselves. 

1/19/16 Along the Kenduskeag

  

Cold and windy- 8 degrees with wind chill of  - seven . I thought the trees on this trail would give us some protection from the wind. It's also near home  and I didn't want a long drive and Kelley not be interested. Not many pictures as I resisted opening my coat and taking of my mittens

At the start she sat like she did yesterday and I was worried but I gave her a treat and she was off

A small stream near the start that she can't get to

Only a drink here

The stream near where we tuned around- still not iced over

This time she decided to lay down in the water 

Kelley did well and was enthusiastic once we got started - taking the lead much of the time.

Had to do at least  one weed

A successful hike though a little less wind would have been nice. I was pleased that Kelley seemed her old self. 1 1/2 hours 

1/18/16 Newport- Dover-Foxcroft Rail Trail

This time from the Dover-Foxcroft end. Gray snowy morning and I thought maybe not many people had the day off so there wouldn't be too many snowmobiles, but good walking.

By the time we got to the trail the snow had about stopped and Kelley seemed anxious to hike.

Start of the hike

We soon came to the bridge across the Piscataquis  River and were passed by four snowmobiles- maybe more people off work than I thought , but Kelley sat at the side of the trail, as she usually does, until they passed.

The river both ways

A short ways after the bridge there was an ungroomed side trail that Kelley wanted to take.

Unfortunately it didn't go far, taking a loop across a large field to someones house - side trails are sometimes just from someones home to the main trail.

but here was a nice tree

Heading back out

Once we got back to the main trail, Kelley sat and would not continue until I started back the way we had come. I hoped  she would continue on  past the car on the trail we used a few days ago. There was a guy trying to plow the parking area and I got Kelley in the car while I  moved it. She wouldn't get back out so I gave up and drove home. Not sure what was going on. We have hiked many snowmobile trails and been passed by sleds many times without it seeming to bother her. They are almost always considerate and slow down and pull to the side to give us lots of room. Weird day - wish she could talk to mr. 

1/17/16 Essex Woods

Sunny and cold but no wind. A short walk around the neighborhood before I cleared the drive and then to Essex Woods.

There had been some trail use so not too bad walking for me - Kelley had no problem and was enthusiastic - ahead of me much of the time.

 I took few pictures - just things in the snow

A pretty day and the lack of wind made it comfortable. Kelley did very well. There were a bunch of dogs in the fenced dog park next to the parking lot but she wasn't interested. 

1/16/16 Neighborhood

Snowing when we got up and this time Kelley had her usual interest in the snow.

Waiting for me to get dressed

Heading down the drive

Around the neighborhood

Don't know why I am attracted to these things

Another dog walker

Home - Kelley wanted to stay out.