botany

Around the block…

by taohobo

Too perfect a day not to get out and log some steps in the neighborhood. Clear blue sky, temp in the 50° range with a light breeze, I couldn’t resist!

But, it was nearly turn around and go home. Hadn’t gone 5 yards before the first nip bottle showed up, then the next, and another one, 8 of them before I’d gone 50 feet. It wasn’t anything new, I’ve walked and cleaned this stretch of road for years. The numbers seem to be higher lately but there’s always a lot in this stretch. I’m pretty much 2 nips from the corner package store. Why 2 nips? Because on Earth Day I also do a long stretch between here and the package store and about half way between my house and the package store is always another concentration of nip bottles.

Today though is about a walk around the small development that has almost no traffic other than residents coming and going. Two laps are good for 10,000 steps if you circle the cul-de-sacs 2 or 3 times.

Definite signs of Spring in this curbside bed.

Despite narrow, curvy road with no sidewalks, make it safely into the development and start the walk.

There are signs of spring all around, that’s a little worrying because it’s still so early in the year. A couple days of hard freeze will kill buds and mean no apricots, peaches… 2017 and 2018 were like that.

Looking now for early emerging plants like skunk cabbage, mullein, and others are on my mind because we also did the same thing yesterday. I taught a Korean Natural Farming class on gathering and using local ingredients for Fermented Plant Juice extracts to feed our early plants, crops. These little flowers, and some trees adorned with sap buckets, are signs of encouragement.

Walking is always a great time to think, mull things, order, plan your day, if you’re walking alone. If you have company it’s a time to catch up, chat, or just enjoy the day together.

Hoping you know, or can find, a small and safe walk near you. One you can step out your door and just start walking.

See you on the trail…

Walking the Pike Preserve Trails

by taohobo

A preview of the April Pancake Breakfast Walk.

Don’t let the moving time dismay you. When I’m on the Pike Preserve trails I constantly stop look, listen… It’s a nature walk and the nature, regardless of the season grabs me.

While there are few hikers or walkers on these trails there are several stables that take advantage of the contingent trails. It does help to keep the inner trails well trodden and identifiable year round. The entry and exit trails for walkers and hikers are well blazed but you need to keep a check on them since these trails meander frequently.

Two unique features that keep children of all ages interested are the ‘Castle Rocks’ at the Northwest turn around and the spring pool at the Northeast side trail.

Castle Rocks…

An Easy Farm Trail

by taohobo

The background is not the type of terrain you’ll be walking at Haley Farm State Park in Groton Connecticut. Although there are a variety of trails the main ones are wide and easy walking. There are some amazing stone walls and foundations from the old farm buildings.

AllTrails has over 200 photos, 50 comments, and 55 recorded walks of the trails to help you decide which of several options you have for walking here. These trails also link to trails in Bluff Point State Park.

Enjoy your walk, see you on the trail.

So easy…

by taohobo

To put off the things you enjoy doing for the things that appear urgent, not necessarily important, and to be detoured by little things like the weather. After all why couldn’t, wouldn’t you hike in the rain. Well maybe not in 50º temps and 20 knot winds. But, you must get my drift. Yes, I’m talking about this blog and walks and hikes in and about Ledyard, SE Connecticut, and further afield.

So there’s a walk scheduled for December 7th. I hope to see you there.

Oh no…

by taohobo

As is my habit I pre-walked, or tried to pre-walk, the Berwick preserve for tomorrow’s Pancake Breakfast walk. It seems that either a tract of land has been sold, or there’s been a change in an access easement that allows access to that Avalonia Land Conservancy preserve. A “Private Property” sign is posted at the start of the access road.

I tried to contact the Conservancy and left a voice mail on their office phone requesting clarification. As of now (7:00 p.m.) I’ve had no clarification.

Regretfully, I need to cancel tomorrow’s walk and I apologize for the short notice.

Pancake Breakfast Walk March 2nd

by taohobo

We’re going to be walking the loop trail in Colonel Ledyard Park this coming Saturday, March 2nd, 2019. We’ll be leaving from the Ledyard Congregational Church’s monthly Pancake Breakfast (7:30-10:30, Free or donation) at 9:30 for the short drive to Colonel Ledyard Park off Colonel Ledyard Highway. If you want to have breakfast before the hike please plan your time accordingly, you may also meet up at Colonel Ledyard Park near the pavilion.

This is an easy to moderate hike, some rutted, stoney trails and moderate elevation changes. There are several marked archaeological sites, foundations, etc., along the trail. The trail is through second growth hardwood forest, crosses one seasonal stream/marsh area on the way to the loop. Additional information can be found at All Trails (click here).

Weather forecast for this hike currently shows a likelihood of showers, with temperatures in the 30-40’s (30’s most likely for the hike), so dress appropriately.

Please Note: Before hiking with us you should read the About section of this blog which contains Hiking Guidelines and our Release of Liability.