Rice With Larry

A while back, Arizona-transplanted former valley resident Larry R. suggested we take a hike up the nearby Rice Farm Nature Preserve in Wilbraham. He was sure it would knock our socks off. Procrastinator Tony M. did a quick google search, thought it looked cool, but then allowed the advice to slip to the the back burner on his list of valley things to check out.

Then the old farm and its protected preserve regained my attention again when some purchases concerning the old farmland and it's nearby iconic stand was recently in the news. I recalled Larry's email, deemed this to be an ideal hike for leaf peeping, and immediately made plans forthwith.

Turns out Tony M. was a idiot, as this turned out to be one of the most enjoyable hikes of our year.

Rice Farm Nature Preserve was close by, the sun was beaming bright that afternoon, the weather was crisp and cool, the wind gusting and the foliage, well, let's say the whole shebang was conducive to a good hike.

The trail head is found at the end of Highmoor street in Wilbraham. It starts with a low, level walk over some extensive roots and freshly carpeted leaf clutter.

Then it's an easy march along well marked trails under a canopy of color.

The trail steadily gains altitude winding up a low hillside, but at no point getting to what we'd call too steep or difficult. Although it's late in the year, the woods are still very much alive.

Time flew and it didn't seem to take too long before we were near the upper reaches of the hillside. The plan was to head for a 'Sunrise Peak' that was marked off on our trail map; where there are some ledges we thought would give us good views of Monson to the east and beyond.

But then our handy GPS was showing that there was an apple orchard right nearby and we decided to fit it into the route. A short walk later and the wooded trail suddenly opened up into a broad open apple orchard, stretching back down the hillside.

And above the low-slung apple trees was the aforementioned sock-knocking view Larry had advised, lo' these many months ago.

The lower valley stretches out before us and is curbed in the distance by Mt. Tom and the Holyoke range, all the way to Long Mountain.

All the while, fast moving clouds splotched calico shadows on the whole orange peppered scene.

It was downright magical.

We stopped here and took a break on the grassy trail, relaxing and soaking up the view. While the bloggerette explored the area grasses and milkweed, I was on the look-out for landlocked and/or air bound wildlife.

It wasn't long before she was rewarded with a coat full of tag-alongs,

...and I was rewarded with a low fly-by from a red tail Hawk.

The raptor was riding the wind billowing up the hillside, and using it to hover in place while it scanned for lunch; occasionally dive bombing the tall grasses for some unseen, unlucky creature.

After a good healthy dose of this mountain living, we cleared the bloggerette's coat, made her put her shoes back on, and moved on up the grassy hill. Nearby and right above the apple orchard was a wide clearing devoid of trees, and providing an even wider view of the stunning scenery.

I was half expecting Julie Andrews to come dancing out of the woods at this point.

But instead, some low dark clouds were emerging from above the trees and were moving in fast. The bloggerette's nose was a little red and sniffly from all the action, the sun was confoundedly sinking to the west, and it was time to think about heading back down.

Sunrise Peak and it's ledges will have to wait for a return visit.

...which, there certainly will be.

End Of The Big Easy

One thing I find unusual about the debates so far, is the civility and respect that both party's candidates have shown to each other this election year.



The two debates certainly haven't devolved into nasty exchanges in any way. Thursday night, Palin's inexperience showed at times, as did her nervousness, especially early on. But Biden never appeared to mock or look down on his opponent, even when he clearly had a stronger grasp of certain issues. Palin for her part, never really used her subtle but brutal sarcasm to cut down Biden, though she did throw a couple good jabs, in a gentle humorous way. Biden appeared to take the pokes in stride, and in the good-humored spirit they were delivered in. The sound bites and pandering to the lowest common denominator which has become so tiring and sickening to the electorate (or to me, anyway) in the past few elections has been kept to a minimum, so far.

There's two more debates to go and the attitudes might still change, but it's refreshing to see the debates proceed in this friendly manner. I wonder if the match-ups are so tame do to their unusual and new gender/race make up. The specter of racism and sexism might be keeping the candidates more focused on issues than slander and personal attacks this time around. Or maybe everyone is indeed just so tired and impatient of the old games, when we're teetering so close to the edge of disaster. Serious candidates for serious times.

Either way, it's nice to see the prospective leaders acting like adults. Now if only the political pundits would get with the program...

Friday was a sparkler, I spent the latter half of the work day in hill country between Wilbraham and Hampden, where some farms hidden in small hilltop valleys still survive, alongside high-elevation wetlands.









Some of the farms, sadly, have been commandeered by the now dead McMansion era. All that remains of this hidden hilltop farm is a lone silo, left standing as a folksy prop at the entrance to a subdivision.



At least one good thing to come of the end of the super-easy credit era will be the reining in of the out-of-control housing sprawl that has permanently changed some of the most beautiful areas of the valley...

Do A Little Jig

The Droogs managed to come together again, for dinner and drink. This time we met up at an interesting little Irish Pub, disguised as this unassuming house:



O'Driscoll's Pub and Restaurant in Wilbraham.



We had some delicious fish and chips (Catholic guilt mandated that I eat fish on Good Friday). And beer. I believe 'Steel Rail' was the name of the liquid gorilla that mauled me.
The place was pretty lively, packed with diners and drinkers. A little into the evening, a two man band appeared, and churned out some great Irish dittys. To wit (however darkly):



The Irish love their beer. This bar has apparently caught the notice of the uppers at Guinness, and has been chosen as an honorary site for their famous 'Great Guinness Toast' for at least two years. The plaques claim the bar was chosen for it's "Outstanding fellowship, congenial atmosphere, and exceptionally fine pints."



Aye, agreed.

The White Stuff

Now that most of the snow removing is done, for now, until this weekend, probably; I can take the time to appreciate the beauty that is a fresh New England snow cover. But first, a tasty McCalorie breakfast sandwich...

I was in Northampton this morning. Always plenty of good pic opportunities up that way. The sun wasn't really shining today, but it was still nice. Amherst blogger Mary Carey tallied up yesterday's storm accumulation, the old fashioned way: http://aboutamherst.blogspot.com/2007/12/white-white-winter-day-1.html

In Northampton the familiar winter mid-road snow piles have begun to take shape. Soon they will tower above the passing cars.

For some reason, there were several people running around the streets today. I counted four, and managed to pick off two of them:


Must be the fresh snowfall, bringing out the kid-like energy in people...maybe they were just late for work. You pick the scenario.

Hungry Ghost Bread on State St. hadn't opened up yet. I've been meaning to check it out, if for no other reason than the cool name, and odd building (for a bakery).

With a couple of minutes to kill, I went over to Pulaski Park, to look for photo-ops.



This scene saddened my bike-trailing heart. It's gonna be a while. A long while.

The Northampton trail, the one that runs from Stop&Shop to Look Park, is routinely plowed and cleared during the winter, as it's used daily by regular commuters as well as recreationalists. However, the Norrwotuck trail from here to Amherst is never cleared. The reason, according to a couple responses to my question on the Masslive forums, is that the Norrwotuck is under the jurisdiction of the Mass DCR, since it's considered a state park. The DCR does not recognize the trail as just a bike trail, but for all non-motorized use. As such, they don't clear it, so cross country skiers can use it. Apparantly few CC skiers use it though. Sounds a little iffy to me, too.

From there I had to go back south.

In Wilbraham, this business park and even a rail yard looked nice, with a fresh coating of the white stuff.

It really is beautiful, when you don't have to shovel it.

Back home, my niece Gillian's castle, next door, kept vigil over the quiet countryside.