Hello Everyone! I’ve been resting and recharging in Massachusetts since my last post, and will likely stay here for the remainder of the winter. While the pandemic continues to rear its ugly head all around us, I decided it was best to stay close to home for my health and the health of others. The van is repaired, winterized, and covered for any snow. However, I haven’t stayed still! I have found safe, low risk ways to continue to get outside and spend time with others. As we enjoy the December holidays, and hopefully all find new ways to recharge and responsibly connect with loved ones, here is an update with some pictures and stories to entertain you.
On November first, after our first snow dusting of the season, I set out for the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border to summit Mount Watatic. A 1,832 mountain on the land of the Pennacook and Wabanaki Confederacy, the view from the top gives a 360 degree view of the valley below. I planned to hike from the main trailhead, and slowly loop around and up, but the parking lot was full, so I found myself down the road at the base of the boulder covered trail that was a straight shot to the top. Up I went! Rocks covered in leaves provided an added challenge, but a slow and steady pace with multiple breaks was the perfect combination. The top was cold and windy, but that meant hardly anyone was around – just the way I like it! Snow and ice dotted the top and surrounding trails, so I put on my microspikes and wandered the root covered trails. After summiting the mountain again, I cautiously climbed down the path to the car, zig-zagging back and forth across the rocks. Mount Watatic isn’t a massive mountain, but this was my first solo climb and it felt pretty darn awesome!
A few quick days later, I was in Western Massachusetts with my parents and sister to celebrate her 30th birthday. We spent part of the day walking the trail around Whiting Reservoir in Holyoke, MA, on the land of the Nipmuc and Pocumtuc. It’s a well marked, wide, easy path for anyone looking to get outside to stretch their legs. It was a windy, cold day and the sun did little to keep us warm, but lingering fall colors and tiny snails on the shores kept us distracted for the 3 mile loop.
November also brought a hike up Wachusett Mountain, part of the land of the Wabanaki Confederacy. This mountain is lovely, and easily accessible with many trail choices, and also very popular. Now that snow has fallen and ski season is upon us, hikers up the backside of the mountain will probably find much more solitude. On the weekend that Kristi and I hiked, most of the ascent was calm and peaceful, allowing for good conversation as we wove through the forest around the base of the mountain. The summit was a different story, packed with hikers of all ages and several large groups of college students. This is definitely a location I would recommend doing early on a weekend morning, or during the week instead (if possible). We weren’t too keen on the crowds, so we climbed down the bare slopes a ways and found a secluded place to sit and eat lunch. During our rest, we received the best news of 2020 – Joe Biden is the president-elect and Kamala Harris is the vice-president elect! An immediate sense of relief and joy rushed over us. What a great day to be alive! The news put some pep in our step as we freely ran down the mountain slopes to our trail. We got a little off track and had to bushwhack through the forest, but nothing could keep us down on November 7th! A few more spectacular views and we arrived back at the car with tremendous smiles.
A few days later, the brilliant sunshine urged me to get outside again, and I found myself in Holliston/Medway in Wenakeening Woods. This is a great place to walk for any of my Medway followers! I entered off of Summer Street in Holliston, but you can also access it from Idylbrook Fields, Highland Street, or off of the rail trail. Well marked and maintained trails lead you through the forest, past streams and ponds. Red berries lingered on branches and green mushrooms hung to trees. It was a surprisingly warm November day in shorts and a t-shirt and I took full advantage!
In mid-November, since the snow from late October had melted, my dad and I decided to go for our yearly hike up Mount Monadnock. What started off as a cool, refreshing day on Wabanaki Confedercy land, quickly turned frigid and uncomfortable as we reach the summit. The sun that was promised never appeared, and the wind at the top of the rock covered, tree barren mountain was fierce. We tried to find shelter to enjoy the view, but a few minutes of sitting left us chilled and racing to find the trail down! We mustered enough warmth for a few quick photos and shot off the summit to find a place to eat lunch lower down. Thank goodness for extra layers and hot pack hand warmers! Despite the cold, and lack of sunshine, we did enjoy our hike, especially the traversing across the mountain through tree protected trails along moss and pine needle covered trails. The movement brought much needed life back to our limbs. 😉
A few weeks later, back on Nimpuc and Pocumtuc land at my parents’ home, we prepared for Thanksgiving with homemade raviolis. A family affair, of which I was in charge for the first time (yikes!), went well and we proudly made 96 little pockets of love for our meal. My sister said we would have made my great aunt proud and our guest, Bill, said they were delicious. Maybe someday I’ll be able to make them and share them with you! The following day, despite gray skies and damp ground, I joined my day on a post-feast hike up Mount Tom. Practically in our backyard, Mount Tom brings me fond memories of learning to ski in winters and ride waves and steep waterslides in the summer. No longer a ski mountain, or a water park, Mount Tom still has plenty of hiking trails and dons a giant shining star during the winter season. At the top we looked down on Whoville (yes, Easthampton, MA is the inspiration for the famous place in Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!), which was hidden below the fog and puffy clouds. Green fields and faraway mills peaked through the openings, giving it a whimsical feel. We stopped at the airplane crash site memorial and continued on to wander around the remains of the old hotel. It is always good to revisit familiar places after some time away.
I closed out November with another hike with Kristi, through the Leadmine Mountain Wildlife Conservation area near Sturbridge, MA, Nipmuc homeland. An extensive area of well marked trails, this is a quiet and family friendly area. Hiking along ponds, marshes, and forests, across rock ledges, and down wide paths, we completed an 8 mile loop easily. Heart warming, soul filling conversation between old friends passed the time quickly. I was so wrapped up in the beauty of our hike, I forget to take any pictures! Kristi snuck this one of me on the trail though.
The beginning of December brought socially distant walks with family in new state parks. First, my sister and I photographed Moore State Park in Paxton, MA where an old mill and house/tavern sit among rhododendrons and lakes on the indigenous lands of the Nipmuc. Despite winter approaching, small signs of life could still be seen in the flowing water, green mosses, and furry capsules protecting future buds. It’s a small park, and I look forward to returning the spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom. Next, a few days later, I met my mom at Wells State Park, a good halfway point for us both. With microspikes on, we were prepared for the icy trail ahead. As we wandered through the winter wonderland, icicles hanging from rock piles and dripping off leaves caught our attention. We paused to capture the beauty, and then quickly hustled along to ward off the freezing temperatures of the air. Good conversation kept us going and we were back at the car for lunch before we new it. With the heat cranked up, we warmed our toes and fingers as we chomped on our food.
I’ve come to appreciate winter hiking – I think finding something active to do in winter makes all the difference. Sure, it’s cold and often gray. But those rare bluebird, sun filled days are the best. I’ve always downhill skied, so excitement over snow has always come easily to me. And now feeling empowered to hike in the winter I think will make some of the tough moments of winter, a little easier to overcome. My hope is everyone finds something, indoors or outdoors, that they look forward to during winter.
Light dustings of snow, nor a foot of snow, have kept me off of the trails. Callahan State Park in Framingham and Marlborough is the new-to-me land I am exploring. The first hike took me through dog-friendly trails to big fields and small ponds. The second took me to solitude as I stomped through snow on freshly broken tracks. I’ve learned that walking in snow is a lot like trying to hustle through sand to your coveted beach spot. Three miles really felt like six, but it was worth it. Perhaps I will invest in snow shoes this winter? Or maybe I should pull out my cross-country skis next time. 🙂
In between my hikes in the snow, when the leave covered ground was visible, I met Kristi at Quabbin Reservoir in Ware, MA for hike to Quabbin Hill. I love enjoying the trails here, and am always thinking about how dramatically this land has changed since the flooding of Swift River to make the water reserve. The complexities of history, and steps we need to take to maintain human life as our population grows, are challenging and amazing. While I am grateful for this preserved land, I am also sad for the towns and villages that were lost to create it. That is why I always take time to acknowledge the history of the land that is bringing me so much joy.
If you are curious about learning about the history of the land you enjoy, specifically which indigenous tribes it belongs to, check out this website.
I hope to be back soon with some more winter hiking adventures, and maybe even to say I was able to safely hit the slopes! Until then, I hope you are able to find ways to enjoy winter and celebrate any December holidays you might with loved ones.
Tonelli's Travels 
I am jealous of all your outdoor time and admire how you always seem prepared for whatever landscape you encounter, like with micospikes! Good gear can make all the difference. The raviolis looked delicious. I would be a taste tester for you!
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