Our fashion show and afternoon tea event for the Fisher Home takes place on Thursday and I urge you all to consider buying a ticket. The proceeds should net more than $800, which will certainly be a gift worth giving. What is more, I know that it is going to be tremendous fun. With an elegant tea, live piano music, a brilliant MC, and an array of models never before seen together – well, how can it fail?
I was in charge of the camera but unfortunately missed the best shot when Roger's foot slipped and he found himself thigh deep in icy cold water.
The bridge was very heavy, partly because it had been sturdily built and partly because half of it had been underwater for some days so had become waterlogged.
However, with much pulling and heaving on the part of the two stalwarts, and much enthusiastic darting to and fro from their furry companion, it was eventually settled back into place, thus reopening the footpath.
Here in the Amherst area we have such a wealth of footpaths that I think may by unequalled in any other town in New England.The variety of terrain that the paths cover really does offer something for everyone. The paving of the old railroad bed is a prime example of the way in which a single trail can be suitable for a multitude of uses. Cyclists speed along on their daily commute; families turn out at weekends with little ones on their tiny bikes, their legs pedaling like crazy to keep up with their parents;
Photo courtesy of All Out Adventures
All Out Adventures organizes regular jaunts on a variety of specially adapted cycles for those who cannot manage a regular bicycle; runners, rollerbladers, and speed walkers take advantage of the smooth surface and absence of traffic; dog walkers lead their pets, whose noses are almost overwhelmed by the multitude of interesting scents both human and animal. Oh, and I almost forgot to include the photographers and birdwatchers, who have their cameras and binoculars at the ready. They appear mostly early in the mornings or in the late afternoons, when the likelihood of catching a glimpse of wildlife is at its greatest, for the rail trail is equally busy after the people have ceased to use it. One can find deer, fox, and beavers in addition to the ubiquitous squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and mice that we so take for granted.
As for birds, the presence of the extensive wetlands caused mainly by the beavers provides a wonderful habitat for herons, bitterns, kingfishers, warblers, and many more. I love it when chance takes me there at the same time as Mr. Green because he is so willing to share his extensive knowledge of local wildlife.
In addition to a single trail offering a wide variety of opportunities, there are other trails to suit every walker and to provide views representative of every aspect of our countryside. The busiest one in town must surely be the network of paths that criss cross Amethyst Brook on Pelham Road.
These are especially popular with dog walkers and the regular dogs know each other as clearly as do their owners. The undergrowth offers sniffing aplenty, and the stream supplies cool drinking water in addition to the chance of a refreshing swim. You do understand, of course, that I am here referring to the canine population, not the human!
Every summer, Roger and I like to head for Easthampton and hike along the Mount Tom ridge, where the views over the valley are simply amazing.
Once having climbed to the top, the path continues along the ridge offering relatively easy walking that looks very much more scary in photos than it is in reality.
One particular cliff edge is a popular launching spot for hang gliders and I watch with envy as they step of the edge and soar like a bird. We look down at the turkey vultures and hawks as they look for thermals. When they find one you can see them being carried upward in ever increasing circles, their wings stretched out to catch every current of air. I am sure that they do this for sheer enjoyment and as I watch them I join them in my imagination, sharing their sense of freedom, weightlessness, and joie de vivre.
Each fall the three of us embark on the ABC Walk, generously sponsored by club members. This begins at the Mill River in North Amherst and for the first stretch passes along the side of the river, then around Puffer's Pond.
If the season has been wet, stream crossings become mimi torrents, challenging us to find a way across without getting too wet. If the weather has been dry, the leaves crunch deliciously underfoot.
By the time that winter approaches we look forward to the first serious snowfall, when we don snowshoes and tramp silently through the woods.
The wildlife can no longer remain undetected, and we enjoy trying to identify their tracks in the snow. Are the front and back feet the same? Is there a central ridge indicating a low trailing tail? Are the footsteps relatively close together and shallow or far apart and deeper: was the animal walking or running? Can we detect little claws? How many pads? Cloven hoof? Does the trail end at a tree trunk suggesting the creature climbed upwards? Or does it suddenly vanish underground? So many questions, each one bringing a new learning experience.
Life never ceases to introduce to us new situations, questions, and conundrums. In many ways, that is one of the joys of living. No two days are ever the same. We are kept on our toes with a surprise around every corner. Granted, some of the surprises are less welcome than others, but each one is a new learning experience that adds another small piece to the great jigsaw of our world.
I hope your world is benefitting from this lovely spring day. The birds are singing and the spring flowers blooming. Welcome to another fresh start.
Warmly,
Vivienne.
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