Mahican - Mohawk Hike Trail - Erving, Massachusetts - Hiking, Mountain Climbing, Snowshoeing

I am so behind. My phone seldom had connection and only very basic WiFi, if I could find it while traveling through the mountains of Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. Kaiya and I started on our hopeful 9,000 mile journey from Massachusetts to Washington.

First stop, Devens Prison Medical Hospital. Not that I planned it this way but I had a coffee pee that was screaming to be released. Exit sign stated public facilities but I couldn't find such a structure so figured it meant go where you don't think you will be caught. Now mind you that my eyes were floating so I missed some major signs such as this one...

Devens Federal Prison Medical Center

I parked only feet away and peed at a sign I did not see at the driver's door stated:

Federal Property

No Parking

Well, no one bothered us but I'm sure they have Kaiya and myself urinating on their property, oops.

Next stop, Erving, Massachusetts, a lovely quaint town. We wouldn't mind going back and spend a weekend. You can fish or whitewater kayak Millers River or go to Rattlesnake Mountain to hike or rock climb. There is a bit of history in this town of 1800 people.

Millers River

Kaiya had a lot of fun and wasn't ready to leave either but we just got on the road and wanted to get more miles behind us.

Next stop, Mahican - Mohawk Trail

Route 2 - Shelburne, Massachusetts

It is stated that this is a long hiking trail but it is still under construction as you can see here:

http://www.franklinlandtrust.org/M&M_Trail_Map.pdf

As soon as you enter it is very fragrant and plush. Be aware of the ticks.

You hike along Deerfield River. On the other side of the river there is a trail near the railroad. The train pulls at least 100 cars, amazing. Kaiya loves the sound of a train, tha-dump, tha-dump, tha-dump.

When you walk through the field go slow and you will see many bird species.

About 3/4 mile in the easy hike ends and a warning sign is posted, Rugged - Pass At Your Own Risk!

Here you will be hiking through private property. Some of the trail is only a foot wide with up to and over a 50 foot drop into the cold swift river. It was very wet, lots of creeks, very muddy and rocky. We suggest waterproof boots and gaitors for people and thick towel and baby wipes for your buddy to clean up aft the hike. This was Kaiya's toughest hike. She did go down a 3 foot drop and later on, into the river near an embankment. I had to keep her on lead for our safety.

The entire trail is well marked.

What a sight to see and hear. I wouldn't mind setting up camp here.

Then, sadly, you come to this about 1 1/2 miles in. In 2009 a property owner with a horse lives in this area. You may see horse prints on the trail. This isn't a loop trail so you just have to turn around. More information here:

http://www.deerfieldriver.org/pdf/M-M_%20Descrip_10-09.pdf

 

We sure enjoyed it and sat along the river for a bit. There are some sections where you are close to the road so you get that noise and they are repairing the power house. I wish I read more before stopping as the trail is much longer in other areas.

Indian Sarus Crane and Scarlet Ibis Bird Mug Porcelain MugSeveral sizes and styles to choose from. Double sided photo to make this a great mug for lefties also.

 http://www.zazzle.com/indian_sarus_crane_and_scarlet_ibis_bird_mug_specialty_mug-183015418038510085

Frisbee Golf Game...Fun game for the whole family.

You can also hang the basket on trees, Google for instructions, I enjoy Frisbee Golf!

I found this on mycomputerismycanvas.blogspot.com

 

Cape Cod Canal History - Massachusetts - Railroad Bridge - DIY Bird Feeder

I can not believe it is Wednesday already, wow. We have a super busy day. I need to care for my granddaughter for a few days while her father has heart surgery and Kaiya, who will be one next month, is going to teach their one year old Greater Swiss Mountain Dog some manners. While there I have to plug up the propane line on the camper that went to the heater, which is now fixed and ready for install but the tech wishes to install, ho-hum, as he also wishes to re-plumb the broken water lines, grrrr. So for the next two days I can check out some other things. Does the air conditioner work with propane? Does anything work with household currant? I need to wire in a kitchen light. I need to follow the wires and see if one broke for the running lights since they are not working and I saw wires wrapped around an axle. And I have to look at my rotted doorway where the step fell off last week and see if I can give that a quick fix until I reach destination. 

Yesterday Kaiya and I went for a 3 mile walk around the neighborhood. The weather was lovely, sunny and warm'ish. We zipped at 2-3 miles per hour, great pace. I was able to wear a tank top with a light weight jacket zipped up part way. I noticed her back nails are worn down too much. I'm going to have to break into my wallet and spend the $80 for Ruff Boots until she grows some length back, almost to the skin. She walked 15 miles in 3 days and that is just our travels. Then I took her home and went to a near by restaurant and had a veggie lasagna, it was oh so good, a new item on their menu. It had onion, green pepper and broccoli and they do top it off with pizza cheese, which I love especially their cheese.

On Sunday early noon we went to Cape Cod Canal and brought a friend with us. He was tuckered after a mile so we had to turn around. It was sunny, very breezy, warm'ish when we got there but when we hit the one mile mark it was very dark and the sky was going to break at any time and I didn't have the waterproof bag for my camera so just as well I guess. The rain did start within minutes of getting into the van.

 This may be a Bufflehead Duck, still looking into it. See how rapid the canal is flowing today? Not only was it windy but it just reached high tide. I see the moon is just reaching into it's seventh day to become a full moon so the very strong currant wasn't due to the moon. No one could fish on this day.

Here is the Severn Tugboat from Baltimore, Maryland, it pulling a barge through the canal. Notice the pretty blue sky? And you can still see the very strong currant.

Here we are with the Double Skin 59 Fuel Barge from Baltimore, Maryland. It just unloaded it's product and now heading out.

Here is the Sabine Tugboat from Texas that is following the barge and tugboat through the canal. They always need another tugboat just in case they run into trouble.

 

These were the only boats we saw today. Sunday's are usually slow. I don't know why since when you work on the water there are no weekends and seldom are there holidays. The pleasure crafts must have stayed close to where they dock due to the strong currant. The boats use the canal because the seas are a lot more dangerous if they went around Cape Cod and it also saves them a lot of time, hours, by cutting through the base of the Cape. So Cape Cod is now a man-made island but on Codders, people who live on the Cape, consider it an island.

This abutment is all that now remains of the original Bourne Bridge. Construction started in 1910 and was completed the following year. The canal was built by August Belmont's private company who began construction in 1909 and completed it in 1914. Monument and Scusset Rivers were connected to form the canal. The bridge also had rail tracks for trolly trains to bring passengers to New Bedford and Monument Beach in Bourne. The mural was painted in 2009 by Joshua Harrington, Scott Packard, Jr. and some other volunteers to show how the bride use to look, which was a drawbridge, also called a lift bridge, meaning each side of the road lifted upwards so the boats could pass through. The bridge was torn down in 1935 when two newer, longer and wider brides were completed while the canal was deepened and widened for large boats which began in 1930 and completed in 1935. Many Tall Ships can pass through although most do have to take down some of their tallest masts.

This is what the bridge use to look like. There is the trolly train on the lower left.

This is the 4 lane Bourne Bridge today, one of two bridges to bring you to the Cape. Traffic can be backed up for an hour to pass over either bridge during tourist season which is from June to September with weekends and holidays being the worst.

The belly of the bridge. Look at that sky! Yep, it got mean looking.

These are Cormorants, also called Shags in other parts of the world but these do not have a crest on their chest. They love fish and it is amazing how long they can stay under water. They will have the currant take them along until they find food and they will pop back up to eat. If the currant is too strong, like on this day, they will fly instead of swim to where they want to go next. They will nest in the rocks that line the canal or in trees.

We are finally starting to see color. Mother Nature is amazing.

Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge. Commuter rail from Boston now goes over this bridge to drop off passengers here and on the Cape in Hyannis. It is also used to carry the Cape's garbage off the island.

Well my friend is exhausted. Kaiya and I had another 4-6 miles left in us but we was content with 2 after doing 10 the day before. I didn't need a wet camera and Kaiya met so many wonderful people and dogs. She really had a great day.

We sure hoped you enjoyed today's blog. We had fun sharing but we must start packing now. So much to do and Kaiya loves to be underfoot.

 

Cape Cod Canal Train Bridge Customize Serving Tray

http://www.zazzle.com/cape_cod_canal_train_bridge_customize_serving_tray-256587082933675912

Here is a Do It Yourself Bird Feeder

Glue a plate onto the bottom. Google on how to drill a hole into the glass. And if you are trying to attach a certain type of bird make sure the hole is big enough for the large seed to fall out or tiny hole for the smaller seed. You can find a charm at any craft shop.

Wampanoag Indian Ceremonial Stone - Acid Mill Ruins - 10 Mile Hike

Kaiya and I finally made it out yesterday on a 10 mile hike through Freetown State Forest, Massachusetts. The day was perfect, 65F, sunny, no wind and plenty of pleasant people. I would like to thank the Trusties of Reservations and DCR for putting on this 22nd yearly event.

Ready for photos? Here we go!

After walking a mile through the woods we end up on Slab Bridge Road. About 100 people attended, almost half completed the walk. There was 4 pick-up sites that were 2-3 miles apart and there was a couple people in the back to pluck the markers off the trees and to look for lost people. Five did get lost, 2 sets of 2 got lost twice. I caught a woman who was going to wander into a swampy area alone. She was following a construction marker, it was the 3rd error she made. She left at the 3rd pick-up site.

Almost half way into the hike is a huge ledge with this man made pond. At one time it was a quarry and the rocks were used to build Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island, New York State House and mills in New Bedford for some examples. Divers have not made it to the bottom but it is expected to be 80 feet deep. There are several cars that have been driven off the ledge, that is now blocked off to traffic, and several people have jumped to their death. The Wampanoag believe the Pukwedgies, (a 2 to 3 foot tall troll) pushed the people to their deaths.

The top of The Ledge. Lunch time and time to take 5. I have on the green backpack with the white dog in the center of the photo.

When you leave The Ledge you walk a short ways down a dirt road and you then come to Wampanoag Path. This is a unique pathway since it has plush pine on each side and you have to walk hunched over since it is think through here. There was a lot of leap frogging over fallen trees also. The ground had a lot of sand in this area.

Here is another ledge. It was a bit of a hike to get here. Very rocky, a little bit of a roller coaster walk, lots of down trees, cricks and puddles. A month of rain didn't help but Kaiya and I don't mind walking in water, actually we find it to be fun and she can lap and walk at the same time so she is getting her fluid intake. I believe this is the ledge where they have had UFO sightings that can not be explained. We are now about 7 miles into the looped hike. Since we really enjoyed the last 3 miles I think we will be back shortly and hike this again, this time in reverse and get back to this point and grab more photos.

Serenity Now! 

Swamp on each side of the road, yep, now back on tar. On the opposite side is where the lady was going to drift alone. This may be the approximate area where a Big Foot type creature has been seen a couple of times along with strange lights and orbs. The Wampanoag's believe they are disturbed spirits but it is probably a form of swamp gas.

Doctor Durfee Mill Pond. I can not find out who Doctor Durfee is but I suspect he had a home nearby. On the lower bottom of the photo is a man-made foot bridge so you pass over the waterfall that forms Rattlesnake Brook. To the left side there was a grist mill, then a saw mill from the 1700's into the 1800's and lastly, in mid-1800's an acid mill began. I don't know when it stopped production. We saw birds and so many bullfrogs and peepers, oh my, so loud. You can not sleep here at night but it was plenty pretty enough to stay for a nice lunch with the sounds of creatures and water.

The last piece of one of the mills, most likely the acid mill.

Rattlesnake Brook Foot Bridge with the waterfall and brook to the right and the pond to the left.

I thought this was a sacrificing stone but was stood corrected and was told the Wampanoag's didn't practice sacrificing rituals that it may be some form of a ceremonial stone. A must have taken photo was just before this and a reason why we must go back. Two rocks were perfectly cut out of a section of rock wall and had a rock foot ledge and it is the area were the white settler's had a colony. All through this area is property rock boundary "fences". We are now 8 miles into the hike.

Due to the continuous rainfall the trail is flooded. By this time I am more than tired of puddle jumping and only had about 2 miles left so I decided to just walk right through the middle of it, some of it was 8 inches deep. Two men were photoing us. I sure wish I had those photos! The water is still ice cold, but was refreshing and FUN! Thank goodness I decided to wear my best $40 mid-weight hiking socks because my feet felt dry, warm and not a blister in site since the water went over the top of the boot this time. I will have to go back to EMS and grab another pair. I forget the brand, I believe only EMS sells them (Eastern Mountain Sports Store).

The last 2 miles there are many cairns. I added a stone to one.

Kiaya is finally knackered, unbelievable. For about 1 1/2 miles, 8 1/4 miles into the trip, she was picking up scent and/or sound and aft a bit she gave chase into the woods and stopped upon command and came back. She saw something and it was not a bunny or a deer. It seems like a coyot was following us. I thought the coyotes would be hiding since so many people went through the area today. We was in the back, among the last 12 or so.

9 1/2 miles into the hike and I see bloomed flowers. There was only a handful of these beautiful plants. I still have to research the species. Violet family?

We sure hope you enjoyed the stories and photos and if you are ever in Massachusetts please take a hike through this wonderful state park. And in mid-May they stock Doctor Durfee Mill Pond with trout. With over 50 trails you can't go wrong and it is great for any age. At the entrance in Freetown they have picnic tables with charcoal grills and a wading pool with restrooms.

Here is a couple of links that may be helpful to you and also give you map links:

http://www.neparanormalresearch.com/hauntedhistory.htm

http://www.greenfutures.org/projects/green/biofacts.html

I love the colors of this kitchen towel and must purchase one myself. It is so vibrant. 

 

Variegated Purple Aster Flower Kitchen Towel 

http://www.zazzle.com/variegated_purple_aster_flower_kitchen_towel-197298177075179907

 

 That time of year is upon many, young and old, tents. 

25 of the most inspiring play tents for kids, many of which include tutorials for you to make your own. And for those of us that are not especially handy, I've included some surprisingly gorgeous play tents you can buy. Check out 25 Stunning Play Tents to Buy or Do It Yourself.

I found the information for this on

 blogs.babble.com

Kaiya's Storm (Puppy Anxiety/Seperation Disorder), DIY Deodorant, Genealogy

Not only has it rained nearly every day in the month of April but it is pouring since last night and we will be getting about 2 inches.

Remember our 7 mile adventure on Monday? Well by evening, after getting some rest she was already bored. My knees were badly bruised, severe arthritis. I walk bone on bone. On Tuesday she already has started with the sighs, moaning, groaning, grunting, that just grew with each hour. So I took her out for a car drive, not good enough. Wednesday was worse and it was on/off rain. I should have just sucked it up, put on my rain gear, walked the 2 miles and let her run in the woods because this is what I came home to aft going out for 2 hours that evening (last night):

The living room, good job Kaiya!

Books, packing tissue, packing envelope, needlepoint floss and her toys

The kitchen

Shredded box, medical papers, needlepoint floss

The bathroom, also gathered from bedroom

New and last roll of toilet paper, a girl's best friend, thanks Kaiya, and a McDonald's toy.

OK, I get it, she is 11 months old, still a pup, who has a ton of energy and separation anxiety. We spend way too much time together and that is my fault.

Today the mess is staying on the floor and she is staying in bed. She creeps a few feet and I let her creep so her muscles won't cramp up but once she gets 5 feet I tell her she must go back to bed, which I have left in the bedroom. She can see me and the mess. Her friendly reminder of why she is being punished but the mess, punishment and anxiety is giving me a huge anxiety attack.

Tomorrow she is going to see her BFF, Kota, my daughter's pup.

A Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, 1 month older than Kaiya, and they will play while I wash down the interior of the camper, wash the curtains, flush the tanks and start the sanitizing process for the fresh water tank, takes 24 hours.

And then the day aft, Saturday, she is going to attempt, well, I am going to attempt, a 12 mile walk at Myles Standish State Park in Carver, Massachusetts. I believe this is going to be on a tarred road walk so I think I will just bring my simple point and shoot. This is tougher on my knees than climbing a mountain.

The rain is suppose to be done for 48 hours when I wake up tomorrow morn and then temp is suppose to climb 20 degrees to almost 60F, finally! So I can get working on our next home. If I think Kaiya has separation issues now what is going to happen when we stop living in this. We'll be in it for 4-12 weeks at a time. I can not wait until we leave. And I will be leaving for D.C. for a few days and she will have to go to doggy day care.

With all this rain I have decided to go back to my genealogy. I have been fixing errors, adding info and more names on my Baker/Armstrong and extending family site: 

  http://bakerarmstrong.tribalpages.com/tribe/browse?userid=bakerarmstrong&view=9&ver=411

And I have found many headstones, including my beloved paternal Grandpa. I never knew his name was placed on his parent's stone. His ashes were spread on the Mohegan Trail.

I found my more information on my Great Aunt Agnes Lulu Armstrong

And her husband, Charles Christopher Grover

What I can't figure out is why they are buried in Wellfleet, Barnstable County, Massachusetts 

(Cape Cod) 4-5 hour drive

She was born and they both died in Boston area, Massachusetts

I can't find much information about Charles except that his father is Christopher Charles Grover.

Here is a photo I took last July, The Skywheel on Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Canada

 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/skywheel-clifton-hill-niagara-canada-spirit-baker.html

Here is a DIY Deodorant for Men and Women that I am looking into making. I have to break down the cost. I do love Suave's new Tropical and found it is a blend of pineapple and coconut so I'm going to try to mimic it. The only thing is that the DIY can melt so I have some worries about carrying it in my backpack and what will happen with it in the camper. She suggests you leave it in the bedroom dresser where it is cooler than the bathroom. I have found everything I need on eBay, a place I am learning to despise but so easy to find everything you need on one site and usually at bargaining prices. I would love to shop at a Mom & Pop Shop but their costs are higher, with good reason. If you sell the products I need for this item at a reasonable price I may purchase them for you, just let me know. Right now it looks like I will be buying form 5 different sellers. I have been saving my old containers so I will sanitize them before refilling.

Here is the link so you can make your own deodorant:

Found on theeverythingsoapblog.com

Kaiya and I sure hope you have a great day. She is whining now. She is really hating her punishment at this point. I don't think I will have any issues for a bit aft this.