We’ll Be Outside For Trails Day, Greenways, Waterways, Walk This Way
Get out, get gone. Rediscover the power of nature, the quiet, birds calling, geology underfoot, wildflowers along paths and byways. You never know what will be found, even on a daily walk or ride in a nearby preserve, park, open space acres.
Outside. Where there are natural wonders such as this jack in the pulpit. CB/MDP
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. – Beverly Sills
Shad in the Connecticut River – learn more about what lives and calls rivers and land home. Take a walk. Be part of a BioBlitz. Have a shad dinner. Photo at CT.gov linked to more information about this migrating fish and the Connecticut River.
No telling what you will find along the way, either.
What will you find? Remember, even after the weekend goes by, all those trails and byways remain. Look at your child, grandchild, friend, canine sidekick, horse in a pasture, idle and listen: Take me for out to where the water is clear, the path branches to places unknown, let's go somewhere new. There are state forests, bridle paths, and trails for riding; many interconnect.
Connecticut Trails Days continues Sunday, June 5. An online directory makes finding your own path relatively easy throughout the state. Here's the link to the map. By the way, last year there were 225 trail events in 133 towns from which to choose; this year tops that. Some walks allow well-behaved dogs; some do not.
Maybe notice a silent witness to history such as this weathered milestone or see forgotten stone foundations.
Even if it rains, take some time to look at places to walk after work and all summer long – the interactive map will get you started. Each listing includes a detailed description, well worth reading through all of them to choose your outing – and yes, there is something for every ability. Some involved maintenance work alongside volunteers – ask about local places to explore, eateries, history and other attractions. Make a day of it.
Be respectful of the trails; much work is involved to keep these places open and maintained by dedicated volunteers, groups, associations. If on a multi-use route, give right of way. Cyclists, please remember that walkers and riders cannot hear you approach and may startle – let people and their companions know you are there. Dog owners, leash your pet; some people are terrified of dogs or have had not-so-great experiences. Be mindful that others may not want to interact nor be forced to do so.
A stone wall and pasture near Mansfield Depot. CB/MDP
Mansfield Hollow State Park, five-mile hike, Sunday, June 5, 12:30 to 3 p.m. Steady pace with breaks to enjoy lake views across rolling terrain with some small hills and stream crossings. No dogs permitted. Leaders Debbie Tedford, Barry Gorfain, John Folsom. Meet at the parking lot at entrance to picnic area, Bassett Bridge Road. Rain cancels. Contact Debbie Tedford, (860) 373-8573. Sponsored by Friends of Mansfield Hollow, Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) CT Chapter.
Walk, ride, share the trail.
All sorts of life will be observed, counted, noted by scientists on a BioBlitz Saturday, June 4 at Two Rivers Magnet Middle School, East Hartford. (Not part of the trails day, but should be.) The public is most welcome to follow along and ask questions, learn hands-on science at this one-day discovery day. The University of Connecticut's Center for Conservation and Biodiversity will team up with the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History, Connecticut Geographic Alliance, and Two Rivers Magnet Middle School. The Two Rivers’ Great Hall will serve as the BioBlitz command center and the hub of public activity. Visit web.uconn.edu/mnh/bioblitz/ or call (860) 486-4460.
Other offerings worth learning about – and in the spirit of celebrating land, sky, water – check out listings in the Connecticut River CT Quarterly Newsletter by Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC). Sign up (link provided here) to receive your own news of the river, people, wildlife, water quality monitoring results.
A curve at Wethersfield Cove, where there is a boat launch and walking trails. CB/MDP
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, June 4; every state across the country offers hikes, biking, horseback rides, paddling trips, birdwatching, geocaching, gear demonstrations, stewardship projects. Here is the link to a map of the U.S. with plenty of terrain diversity no matter where you are.
Look for bluebirds.