Saturday’s a go…

by taohoboMarch 5, 2020

I walked the Hoffman Evergreen Preserve today in preparation for this month’s Pancake Breakfast Walk. The weather report is changing its mind about a storm, maybe some rain Friday night, but walkable on Saturday. Check the sidebar if you’re interested in hitting the Pancake Breakfast for details.

There’s plenty of parking at the Hoffman Evergreen Preserve so if you want to just meet there, here are the directions. Take the Gold Star Highway, Route 184 to route 201, turn North. If coming from Groton, that’s a left, from the 184 rotary it’s a right. The preserve is 1.4 miles from route 184.

If you haven’t hiked with me before please read the side bars and the About page for safety information and the hike guidelines. You also should read the Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability requirement.

Walking the Pike Preserve Trails

by taohoboFebruary 13, 2020

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…

Walking in the Rain…

by taohoboJanuary 30, 2020

Walking the East side of Bluff Point on Saturday is looking like it’ll be dry walk according to one weather source and maybe some rain or light snow by the other one I use to plan what to wear, bring, etc.

Regardless of any precipitation we’re looking at temperatures creeping into the 40º zone by the end of our walk. So, I’m walking…

Since this will be a Pancake Breakfast (at Ledyard Congregational Church – free or goodwill donation that benefits a local non-profit group from 7:30-10:00) we’d normally car pool from the breakfast at 9:00. Since Bluff Point has plenty of parking you can just plan on meeting at Bluff Point State Park to begin the walk at 9:30. If you do want to car pool from church I’ll be leaving there at 8:45, it’s nice to be at the walk site before the early birds.

Be sure to check the sidebar for additional information about checking in, the release form, safety, etc.

If the weather takes a drastic down turn any cancellation notice will be here on the main page early Saturday morning. Not anticipated, but this is New England, and it is supposed to be winter.

If you’re a birder bring binoculars or a spotting scope since we’ll likely see loons on Mumford Cove.

An Easy Farm Trail

by taohoboJanuary 4, 2020

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.

Walking into the New Year

by taohoboDecember 31, 2019

Venturing out tomorrow morning for a New Year’s walk, especially if you walk the beach at Watch Hill in Rhode Island, will be unseasonably warm. At least based on the past few New Year’s Day walks when wind chill put it into single digits or lower. Even with an unseasonable 35º temperature the wind, from the West, at 12-14 knots will feel like 25ºs. So bundle up, layers will help some but you’ll be walking back from Napatree Point into the wind. A buff, scarf, or mask will help.

Looking forward to walking with you in 2020. May you have a happy start to a New Year.

Colonel Ledyard Park Success…

by taohoboMarch 24, 2019

After two postponements we finally got the Colonel Ledyard Park Loop Trail walked yesterday. The dusting of snow that we had Friday night was essentially melted away before we started the walk.

Some of the wheel ruts were wet enough that we had to go off trail to get around them. Several of the springs along the trail were flowing pretty strongly, also creating pools of water in the downstream low spots on the trail.

One of the points of interest on the hike were the remains of the Randall Holdridge (1808-1885) house. There’s still the dug well and three stone walls that possibly formed the foundation for the house. A Girl Scout project to mark and provide information help make this trail more interesting.

The next scheduled hike will be the Pancake Breakfast Hike on April 6th. We’ll leave from Ledyard Congregational Church, come early if you want a free, or good will donation, breakfast before we leave at 9:30. We’ll need to carpool since there will be limited parking at the hike site.

Colonel Ledyard Park Walk…

by taohoboMarch 19, 2019

A check this afternoon of the weather forecast for Saturday shows extended rain from Friday through the night and into Saturday morning. I’m still walking…

But will definitely be in waterproof footwear and rain gear. Temps will probably be a little cooler but it could warm up quickly if the sun comes out earlier than currently forecast. Make sure you’re dressed in layers and can adjust your comfort level with changes in the weather.

Other than that, the walk is still on and I’ll see you at Colonel Ledyard Park pavilion for our 9:30 a.m. start.

Short hike, short notice…

by taohoboMarch 18, 2019

If you can make it I’ll be walking the Colonel Ledyard (FKA: Blonder’s) Park loop trail. This is the hike that was previously delayed by a bug and some snow.

I’ll be starting from the Colonel Ledyard Park pavilion at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23rd. There are some rough spots on the trail and depending on Thursday’s weather there could be some water and mud. The trail is 1.3-1.5 miles but you’ll still need to dress warmly since lows Friday night will be in the 30ºs.

Be sure to read the guidelines, on the About page, if you plan on joining me Saturday.

I’m looking forward to walking with you and it’ll be a great warm up for the Pancake Breakfast walk on Saturday, April 6th.

Pancake Breakfast Walk March 2nd

by taohoboFebruary 25, 2019

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.