Archive for the ‘Nature & The Outdoors’ Category
Kayaking the Powow River – Downtown Amesbury to the Merrimack River… and then some
I went Kayaking today with a friend of mine. We didn’t have a ton of time, so we decided on someplace close to both of us – The Powow River. I’ve lived in Amesbury for a few years, and lived in the area (Newburyport) for something like 25 years. When Justin (friend I went with) said we should try the Powow, and put in near the center of downtown Amesbury, I was a little less than excited. I know that the Powow runs through downtown Amesbury, and ends up in the Merrimack River, but I honestly thought the section from downtown Amesbury, to the Merrimack was little more than a dirty, short, urban slog until it spills into the Merrimack.
So, I was excited to get out, but not at all expecting anything grand from the Powow. At least not this section of it. I’ve done some of the Powow upstream from downtown Amesbury and it’s pretty decent. But, like I said, I didn’t think the “lower” part of the river could possibly be any good. It’s surrounded by highways, shopping centers, apartments, old mill buildings and all the other dirty characteristics that define a blue-collar historic New England town.
Ok, all that said…
I was absolutely taken aback by how far, open, scenic, and awesome it was. The river ran for a long stretches through areas of thick vegetation that look more like a wilderness refuge than a city.
Franklin Park Zoo – Review from a first time visitor
This past weekend my wife, daughter and I met up with some friends (Analise, Derrek and Tristan) and decided to do something “family’ish” for the afternoon. I’ve been so busy with band stuff, home projects and freelance work lately, that a day out of the house sounded great. To this end, we piled into the car and drove down to the Franklin Park Zoo. I wanted to spend the day with everyone, but would probably have picked a different venue…
It’s only fair to start this post off by making it abundantly clear that I don’t like Zoos (in general). I just don’t get wandering cement walkways past overpriced trinket stands, or shuffling through cramped exhibit hallways for a chance to glimpse at some poor critter who is forced into the spotlight so Mr. Fat American can wobble by, while his kids bang on the glass – it just doesn’t seem right to me.
I realize this makes me sound like a “Tree Hugger”, and believe me I’m not. I just find it difficult to see past the obvious. Putting a wide-area roaming creature, like say a tiger or a zebra, into an acre-sized (or less) field surrounded by electrical fence – or – taking a beautiful large bird such as a Condor or Vulture and forcing it to live in a cage or with clipped wings so it can’t fly is depressing to me. These animals need to be able to run or fly freely. If you want to see or experience them, go to where they are. You have that choice… they don’t.
Now, before you get all righteous on me, I also realize that some of these animals are “rescued” from the wild. If I’m honest, I don’t really get that either. These animals have been just fine for millions of years. It’s the humans that started mucking the whole system up.
All that said, I actually had a great time. I was fairly impressed with the displays, variety of animals, and general look and feel of the Zoo. After all, it’s located in the most improbable location – Dorchester Ma, just outside of Boston. If you’ve never been to the Franklin Park Zoo, and find it hard to believe this sort of family park could exist in Dorchester, you’re not alone. I sat in the backseat on the way down, as we drove through some pretty rough neighborhoods, thinking “are you kidding?” Then from out of nowhere, the landscape dramatically changed, the Franklin Park Zoo sign appeared, and there was even a big groomed golf course across the street. It was sort of surreal, like stepping through a portal. It’s not often one can buy drugs, play 18 holes, get shot, and feed a baboon… all within a mile or so. This area was surprisingly nice.
Mount Moosilauke, August 09. Jamie G, Mel and I.
Thanks to Mel and JG for an awesome day! I’ll post a write-up soon, but for now here are the pictures:
Coyote in Maudslay State Park, Newburyport Ma
Twice this week I have been walking in Maudslay after work, and twice I’ve seen Coyote while on the trail. The first time was at a bit of a distance, but tonight I came head-to-head with two animals not 50 feet away. I was walking down a trail deep in the park that runs along the farm, near Castle Hill. I glanced down a side trail as I past and there they were – two Coyote were standing in the path, motionless and watching me.
I stopped, and slowly pulled my camera phone out of my pocket. After fumbling a bit I was able to get one shot, but the animals were running away. I know, it’s not a great shot. I’m going back tomorrow with a better camera. I’ve seen them twice and want to get a few decent shots, the camera phone just isn’t cutting it…
Hypothermia – As close as I’d like to get.
Someone recently asked me “What’s the most terrifying thing has happened while hiking?” I thought about that for a bit and there is one instance that clearly stands out as the most frightening, but I was camping, not hiking. I thought I’d share.
Five or so years ago I drove down to Pocono Pennsylvania to watch the NASCAR Pocono 500. We had camped about six or seven miles from the track at a little campground that seemed to cater to race fans. (Actually, everything within ten miles of the track, or any track for that matter, caters to race fans)
It was Sunday night and we were partying at the campsite following the race. Our plan was to stay there Sunday night and drive home Monday morning. That way we would beat the race-day traffic. If you have never been to a NASCAR race, the traffic leaving the track can be simply incredible. It’s not uncommon to sit in traffic for three or four hours if you stay until the checkers and not duck-out early.
Pawtuckaway State Park – Woronoco Trail – A Picture Story!
I have been a fairly avid hiker/ outdoorsy person for years. Unfortunately, living where I do (New England Seacoast) presents challenges when it comes to getting out on the trail with any regularity. It seems like I need to drive a couple hours north before I can really get out into the fresh air, on decent terrain, away from roads and crowds of people to do some hiking. Right?
Well, not so much…
It’s obvious to me that hikes in the White Mountains are superior to anything around the seacoast area, but I’ve been saying for years that Pawtuckaway State Park is as good as gets – outside the White Mountain National Forrest – and it’s only a scant 20 mins from my driveway! I recently did a “morning” hike on Pawtuckaway’s Woronoco trail. I emphasize “morning” because I was able to do drive there, do the hike, come home and shower before lunch… that’s completely awesome.
Thus it was time for a pic story; My trip to Pawtuckaway!
Maudslay State Park, Newburyport Ma – Pictures from a morning hike
I lived in Newburyport for twenty years, and spent a good portion of my teenage years working on a farm in the north-end of town (Arrowhead). Having access to the farm was great because it abutted the 400′ish acre Maudslay State Park on like three sides, far at the back-end of the park – away from the main entrance and most of the foot traffic. This allowed my buddies and me to ride our bikes around the park almost every day, getting more and more familiar with the trail system from the inside out. In fact, I even used to drive hay rides in the park during the late 80′s and early 90′s.
I have a lot of history in the park, and a lot knowledge about the park itself. People have actually joked with me about giving tours around the park because I spit things out like “Hey, that’s the fairy garden,” or “If you look down here you will see the old well,” or “The Castle sat right on the hill here, you can see the steps over there,” and a bout hundred other interesting facts about the park. Well, at least interesting to me …