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Celebrate Earth Day at Bacon Free Library in Natick with a free tree and other fun

March 24, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Natick’s Earth Day organizers have been filling up April 30 & May 1 with lots of events and invite you to celebrate by planting a free tree sapling. Parents or guardians can register here for kids to receive a tree. Pick up will be April 30, 10am-2pm, at the Bacon Free Library, 58 Eliot St.

Natick Common, new trees

Also on April 30, 1oam-2pm at the library, enjoy an activity and art event sponsored by Wilson School. “Project Sapling” will engage kids in a hands-on arts and crafts activity: a “DIY” bird feeder that kids can hang in their own backyard, made from pine cones, bird seed, sun-nut butter, and string, along with a paper bag to take it home.

Don’t miss the story walk on April 30 & May 1, 8am-8pm, on the Bacon Free Library grounds, and read the book Solar Story by Allan Drummond, one page at a time. This book shares the experiences of a Moroccan schoolgirl who lives near the largest solar plant in the world, conveying how the plant has brought jobs and reliable power—and also how it’s upended the old ways of doing things, even in the girl’s own family. More here.

There are many more activities going on around town like a garden tour and some clean-out and tidy-up activities. Learn more here.

Filed Under: Bacon Free Library, Environment, Outdoors



Beyond Natick: Great Brook Ski Touring Center in Carlisle, Mass.

February 11, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

I don’t want to become one of those New Englanders who, by mid-February, complains about the inconvenience of snow. I want to get excited when I see flakes fluffing downward, turning the massive white pines outside my window into temporary snow-art installations. I want to be the type of New Englander who helps out kids by adding one more voice to their prayers for a snow day. Because I am determined to love snow, I continually search out ways to positively engage it while ignoring snow’s negative points. That’s how all successful relationships work, right?

Great Brook Ski Touring Center, Carlisle

Cross-country skiing is the answer. Anytime the snow cooperates, I reward it by throwing my equipment into the hatchback of my snow-worthy station wagon and heading out for a good spot. Since the recent blizzard brought over 20″ of snow to Massachusetts, I knew the time was perfect for my first visit to Great Brook Ski Touring Center in Carlisle. The Department of Conservation & Recreation maintains over 10 miles of machine-groomed trails for cross country skiing on the property of the 1,000-acre Great Brook Farm State Park, which is less than 45 minutes from Natick Center. From Dec. 1 to March 20, snow conditions permitting, those 10 miles of trails are set aside for skiing only. There is no snow-making equipment at the popular spot, so make sure you check Great Brook’s Facebook page ahead of time for the latest report on trails conditions.

My mid-week visit meant a laid-back, crowd-free experience, but not one that felt isolating. “You should see it on a weekend,” one regular Great Brook skier said. So warned. A quick look at the trail map convinced me to warm up on the Lantern Loop, an easy one-mile glide that starts and ends at the touring center. Just use the lanterns as your guides, and you won’t get lost. Beautiful during the day, on Tuesday and Thursday from sunset until 9pm the trail sparkles as the lanterns are lit for night skiing around the loop. Only the Lantern Loop is open during evening hours; other trails close at dusk.

Great Brook Ski Touring Center, Carlisle

After conquering the Lantern Loop, I set off to see what else was out there. Trails are well marked, so as long as you familiarize yourself with the map symbols it’s unlikely you’ll find yourself in a situation that’s beyond your abilities. Most trails are fairly easy and the majority of them offer a wide, packed surface consisting of a smooth skating lane between two sets of ski tracks.

For experienced skiers, there’s the more difficult Woodchuck Trail or the Maple Ridge Trail. There’s even a short stretch of black diamond trail that goes by the name of Chicken. Yes, I was too chicken to try it out, but I did venture onto Maple Ridge. Yes, I fell more than once on Maple Ridge. That’s what happens when I get controlling and fight the snow instead of keeping a good thing nice and easy.

Great Brook Ski Touring Center, Carlisle

The easy drive to Carlisle was well worth it. The longer I stayed out there on the trail, the more relaxed and loose I became, gliding past a working dairy farm, across fields, alongside streams and ponds, and through the quiet woods. On skis, I felt my connection with snow, nay the entire season of winter, deepening.

Winter and me, we’re in a good place right now.

Great Brook Ski Touring Center, Carlisle

Details, details

When natural snow is available, Great Brook is a welcoming place for both classical and skate skiers who want to get outside and enjoy beautifully groomed trails. A full roster of rental equipment is available including skis, boots, poles, and sleds for towing children (no dogs allowed, sorry). Snow shoes are also available for rental, but cannot be used on the machine-groomed trails. The staff can point you to the expansive area where snow shoeing (and hiking) is permitted.

Great Brook Ski Touring Center, Carlisle

 

Great Brook Ski Touring Center, Carlisle

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Beyond Natick, Outdoors, Sports

Winter walk at Natick’s Pickerel Pond trail

February 9, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Pickerel Pond trail in Natick makes for an excellent winter hiking experience, especially when the trails are largely snow-packed.

The last time I ventured there it was fall, the trails were mucky, the boardwalks were challenged (we’ve been there for summer hikes, too)

This time around, I strapped on my Yaktrax and entered the trail from Huron Drive on the northern end of the pond, trekking on both the blue and red trails. Judging from the footprints and paw prints, not many others had been there recently, and I came across no one on this below-freezing Saturday afternoon.

Among the must-see sights were the partially snow-covered ’53 Ford Customline and beaver dam, along with the pond itself, and the DPW pumping station (OK, that last one isn’t a must-see).

pickerel pond trail winter

pickerel pond trail winter

Footing was fine with the grips on my boots, but there were sections that were iced over and that would break through to a foot or so of chilly water. Somehow I avoided stepping into this, having seen others that had done the dirty work.

One thing to possibly look forward to at this location is a connecting boardwalk between the north and south ends of the Pickerel Pond trail.

pickerel pond trail winter


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Filed Under: Outdoors

Natick hike: Pegan Hill on a bright winter day

January 25, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The air was cold and crystal clear on the afternoon we headed over to Pegan Hill in South Natick for one of our favorite local winter hikes.  If you’re looking for a nice mid-day leg stretch that offers expansive views with minimal effort, Pegan Hill is the place. We parked in the small, rustic Trustees of the Reservation parking lot on Pegan Lane, off Pleasant Street, and set out from the well-marked trailhead.

Pegan Hill, Natick

The 48-acre Pegan Hill area is part of the ancestral home of the Massachusett tribe, and also has a short history of Colonial-era farming as evidenced by  remnant stone walls and the hill that was cleared of forest to make way for cropland and grazing pastures in the mid-1600s. The fields are a great place for kids to run around and play, but only in the winter months. As soon as the temperatures rise into the mid-40s for even a couple of days in a row, the ticks rear their blood-thirsty heads. Once truly beautiful weather hits, ticks absolutely own that particular playground.

Pegan Hill, Natick

On the trail expect soft leaf litter underfoot, as well as roots, mud, and icy patches. We were able to do the walk easily wearing our hiking boots, but bring your Yak Traks if the weather has been snowy or rainy lately. The trail was weekday quiet. We saw a couple of hikers walking their dogs, and heard multiple crows cawing in the distance. Two common flickers rose up from the field as we approached. The large woodpeckers mostly migrate south for the winter, but we always see a few lazy (or hardy) ones that call Natick south enough and stick around for the winter.

Pegan Hill, Natick

 

Pegan Hill, Natick

We love the part of the trail when we can see that soon we’ll emerge from the woods.

Pegan Hill, Natick

Follow the trail across the meadow and up the gentle rise of the hill for the money views.

Pegan Hill, Natick

Can you believe the view you get, just by ascending to a 410-foot elevation, Natick’s highest point? That’s Mt. Monadnock, New Hampshire, almost 60 miles in the distance. Mount Wachusett (Worcester county) and the Blue Hills in Canton, MA can also be seen from the top of Pegan Hill, as can Boston. Our iphone couldn’t capture it, but on this day we spied mountains upon mountains far beyond Mt. Monadnock, such was the clarity of the day.

Pegan Hill, Natick

 

A picnic table plunked down in the field makes for a good lunch spot. We looked around for the double Adirondack chairs that are usually under a big tree nearby, but they’ve been removed. Hopefully that comfortable seating will come back when the weather warms up. We remember a particularly nice summer morning when we brought our oatmeal, piping hot in thermoses, and the newspaper (yes, we’re those types who still get a morning paper delivered to our doorstep), and started out our day in nature, ensconsed on Adrirondack thrones. We’d like to repeat that, maybe on a weekly basis if we can get our acts together.

Adirondacks at pegan hill

 

Pegan Hill, Natick

 

Pegan Hill, Natick

We walked along the stone wall with the idea that we’d hike a loop back to the parking lot. We never learn. Although the signs (and map) suggest you can get back to the trailhead parking area, we say, don’t bother trying. Hike to the top of Pegan Hill then retrace your steps back through the woods and to the parking lot. It will be a more satisfying experience. The mud only gets worse and the trail more brambly the farther along you go. We’ve found this to be true in every season we’ve been here.

Pegan Hill, Natick

 

Pegan Hill, Natick

Ah, back to the safety and beauty of the open fields. We’ll be back soon for another good walk up Pegan Hill.

DETAILS

TRAIL ACCESS: parking lot on Pegan Lane, off Pleasant Street, Natick, MA
TRAIL MAP:  Trustess of the Reservation map

MORE

Natick hike—the Coolidge Woods area

Beyond Natick—winter hike at Ashland State Park

Beyond Natick—hiking at Ravenswood Park in Gloucester; bookstores; and lunch

 

Filed Under: Outdoors

Frozen Dug Pond was Natick’s hot spot this weekend

January 23, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Chilly temps lured dozens of skaters onto frozen Dug Pond in Natick over the weekend.

Beginners, shuffling along with the aid of crates and support of parents, and more adept skaters flashing the uniforms of their favorite pro players and fancy moves with stick and puck, dotted the ice. Some were so talented they could skate along while checking their cellphones.

One skater leaving the ice after a couple of hours of refreshing exercise said she hopes the ice will hold long enough for some weekday skating, too. That’s one way to look at the bright side of some single digit temperatures in the forecast.

dug pond skating

dug pond skating


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Filed Under: Outdoors

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