Walk This Way

Sometimes it feels like bicycling has ruined me for walking. When Kelly suggested a stroll along the Norwottuck rail trail recently, I kind of grimaced to myself. It's hard to trudge slowly along the same paths we've briskly breezed along so often on the bikes. But, sucking it up (mostly), we (I) made the best of it and even improved upon the idea by deciding to turn the venture into a picnic...

A quick stop at Big Y on the way up for some grinders, drinks and snack food, and we were soon spread out on one of the picnic tables at the Elwell recreation area at the beginning of the Norwottuck proper.



Fueled up, it was time to hit the trail; at sneaker speed. It was also bloggerette's first crossing of the famous train bridge...



...certainly not her last...

The weather was more than cooperative. Sunny with passing clouds, in the 70's with a hint of humidity...



...beau-ta-rific.



Admittedly, there is much to be said about walking versus riding. There's the feeling that there's more time to spend, and the conversations get a little more involved (and/or convoluted)...



By the time we got to West street, where the long and historic Hadley Common is, the bloggerette was beginning to fidget with hunger. We had to stop here so Kelly could take care of business.



The town common proved an ideal resting point with several trees and a bench to rest on, and plenty of passerbyes to people watch. After several minutes, as the bicyclists and rollerbladers zipped by on their wheels, I decided to settle under a nearby tree and experiment with some shots for a time-lapse type slide show of a populace on the move...leisurely.



With bloggerette's fuel tank now full, from here we walked down along the common all the way to the river, where we picked up another trail that runs along the Hadley dike.



This section of trail used to be regularly mowed; but it looks like that has stopped. The wildflowers now run rampant along the water's edge, and there's just a narrow path stamped down between the tall grasses. The lack of maintenance is perhaps to discourage walkers from approaching the section of dike that has been under repair, and which looks very near completion.



I'm guessing these random holes on the exposed edges of the dike construction were made by the bank swallows that were flying low over the nearby river, deftly scooping up bugs on the wing.



We pressed on along the dike, and the wild overgrowth with the bugs buzzing about, and the birds calling and skirting low above and the warm breezes only added to the magical summeriness of the afternoon.



Everything is alive in July.



Thistles, clovers, mustards, daisies, asters.



Cedar waxwings competed with the swallows for the abundant flying insects...



The dog was having a field day, literally. As strong as the sights and scents are for us, it must be tenfold for him. At one point he was locked hard onto some scent we couldn't even perceive...



...and nearly dragged us into a stand-off with a very young, and very defensive, skunk.



The critter's tail shot up, and we hustled ourselves right out of there...

Making the curve back along the Hadley meadows, we began the return leg of the journey; eventually linking back up with the Norwottuck, and then the car, and then home...



Walking turned out to be a good idea; sometimes it's best to take things slow and savor the moments...

350 Year Till

We got to the Hadley 350th Anniversary parade about a half hour early, and set up near the town hall. There were people already lined up and down route 9 as far as we could see, and everywhere there was a sense of festivity and excitement...there was a parade coming, after all.

The clouds had provincially parted just in time for the start, and eager eyes peered towards the distant turn, way down the road.

We waited...



We watched patiently...



...and waited.

Watched...



...and waited...



At last; movement on the horizon...



People perked up, kids scrambled to the edge of the road; at last, the parade was afoot.







Float after float marched by; far too many scenes for me to stuff into a blog post. So, the following is just a sampling of the scenes that were to be had at the over two-hour long parade:

Characteristic of this old farm town's history, much of the parade was travelled on or with the assistance of the indispensable horse.





And because of that noble steed's position in human celebrations since time immemorial, another important parade position must track close behind; the ignominious job secured by this slightly less than enthused kid...



Someone has to do it. It's only American.



My favorite mountain top resort was represented, replete with halfway house and tram...



Public servants, organizations and parade contributors from surrounding towns far and wide came up the road...





The good ol' days of no-nonsense law and order were called to mind with this surly lieutenant on patrol.



Victoria Kozera Drabek, holder of Hadley's Golden Cane which signifies her as the oldest resident in town, could well have seen Hadley's 250th celebration...



350 years. I guess that means America isn't just a flash in the pan after all.



Who'd a thunk it...?



The forerunners of the valley's strong love affair with bicycling couldn't have imagined the extensive network of paved trails now taking shape and linking the area towns.



Another love affair of the local populace is with fresh, local, organically grown produce. Representatives of this ilk came bursting on to the scene, apparently energized with wholesome all natural goodness, and zipped all over the road tossing fresh fruits and vegetables into the crowd.





Kelly screamed for potassium, and was duly rewarded.



Several smart looking fife and drum marcher troupes reminded us of our region's long history, of which Hadley was part from nearly the very beginning.





Around these parts now, when you think Hadley, you think asparagus.



And if you think about it enough, you might become this guy:



And when you think New England overall, you might think maple syrup. That's here too.



And if vodka happens to be your pleasure; you got it.



Supposedly the best in the world, made fresh from Hadley wheat.

I'm pretty sure this is the same regiment we encountered at the Granby Charter Day celebration on Saturday. If so, it's been a long marching weekend for these troops.





Czelusniak Funeral Home was tossing little white footballs into the crowd. Kelly mused that giving out say, cigarettes instead of healthy sports equipment, might help business.



(in retrospect, the footballs are a positive message, we know...)

Besides, I'm sure they've no shortage of customers. To wit:

These guys came careening down the parade route spinning and wheeling their truck around violently; exposing an apparently massive loophole in the parade permitting procedures...



It looked harrowing but I'm sure it was all well practiced, and safe...



...they must have known what they're doing. I mean, look at these guys.



At last, the clowns had arrived. The Shriners wound up the historic 350th parade with their usual flair and zipping mini car show.



And finally, this massive machine rolled up the parade route, dispensing with any stragglers.



The parade was over. That made 350.

The crowds began to scatter and filter back down side streets to their cars. Kelly had taken a break to go and feed bloggerette, leaving me at our station with the battle stroller. Then who should be coming across the street right at me, but the familiar faces of About Amherst's wonderblogger Mary Carey and her Brian...



Finally, I get to meet my favorite commenter and 'in the valley's' strongest 'encourager'...



It was a quick exchange, including a camera duel and talk of a possibly renewed local blogger summit effort...or maybe just a beer somewhere. Mary's a laugher. And all smiles...



And then in a flash they were off and pedaling down the road. Running into them was a fine topper, to a fine parade...