New England in Wintertime...
I was expecting to be wearing thermals and shoveling snow every day but this year the season has been much milder than usual. In fact Boston has missed some of the biggest blizzards the east coast has seen in years. (Sorry DC !) Those huge snow-storms just didn't have New England in their travel itinerary ... On their way up the coast they either blew out to sea or converted to rain. It has been surprising to say the least. In any case, the milder weather has allowed us to get out more and explore the area. While we traveled cross-country we had talked about our expectations of winter in the northeast and how we wanted to try and stay active despite the colder conditions. So each weekend we've made a point to check out new places where we could either walk, hike, xc-ski or snowshoe.
Last Saturday we went on a nearby nature walk hosted by the Dept of Conservation and Recreation. We had learned about the tour from a flier we found a few weeks back while hiking at Breakheart State Park, just north of Boston. We were especially looking forward to this nature walk because it was along the Charles River and would begin on Gaylan Street bridge, which is literally at the corner of Watertown Square, the town we live in. The weather could not have been better for a mid-winter weekend...bright and sunny with temps in the 40s. We showed up at 1pm and met Ranger Russell Geer who was right on time. He was great - he brought along hot chocolate to share from Dunkin Donuts, which we all enjoyed. We told him we had moved from Oregon and about the natural landscapes we had experienced in the west. We also expressed how much green space means to us. Ranger Russell admitted that he wished he worked in a more natural area, and even described himself as an 'urban ranger.' He was excited to have us along, and since no one else showed up for the tour, the three of us headed up river along the recreational path. Lisa and I are constantly amazed at the amenities of our neighborhood. To name a few: Proximity, quietness, trees, great running loops, classic Greek diners, unbelievable Armenian bakeries and Middle-Eastern food shops, and we have quick access to the Charles River. Our house is exactly one mile to the Charles.
Up stream of the Gaylan (Watertown) Bridge, the river and the adjoined riparian zones have been restored as a natural reservation: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/charlesRiver/upperCharles.htm
We had such a great walk with the ranger and learned a lot from him about Boston history geography and politics. He also informed us of other large city parks as well as great scenic escapes in Western Mass, New Hampshire and Vermont. A few days after our walk he even mailed us a packet of maps and local guides. How great is that?!After our hike we headed home and poked around in the yard which had been defrosting and drying out in warm sun. The smell of earth came up from the ground and it felt like mother nature was testing out some components of spring. Sure enough, wouldn't you know it, there on the south side of the house we found bulbs sprouting up under the water spigot.
Hurray Spring is near!
