Wildflower Hikes at The Vets

Summer Wildflower Hikes!

Every WEDNESDAY morning in JULY (weather permitting) from 8:30am to 11:30am starting July 10th

Park in the trail parking lot, ACROSS from the VMRA ski area on Flaghole Road. Meet at the Shaw Pond trailhead (back across the road). If weather iffy, or other questions, please call the hike guide, Karen Darling at 603-770-1851.

Join me, an amateur naturalist, on a slow, guided, intentional excursion, once or every week. We’ll take the same 2-and-1/2-mile looped trail each week through the woods: first to Shaw Pond, from there to views at the top of the ski hill, and finally down through a hillside of color. Part of our investigations is to see how the forest, pond and fields change as the summer proceeds. We’ll stop frequently -- to listen to a bird’s call, to photograph or sketch many a wildflower, tree or grass -- and just to appreciate being out in Nature! Come to explore, observe and “soak it all in”, including the peace and quiet!

Although we will maintain an easy pace, the trail has many ups and downs, including a few that are fairly steep. This activity is not for those whose walking is impaired, or for very young children, unless being carried at times. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but may need to be leashed at some points.

Please wear/carry: * Water bottle * Outdoor clothing (weather-appropriate) * Sturdy shoes * Sun/rain hat * Windbreaker/sweatshirt/poncho (weather-appropriate)

Optional, but nice to have: * Walking/hiking stick * Camera/phone * Binoculars * Snack * Small backpack * Sketch pad, art materials

Leader will have, but you may want your own: * Insect/tick spray * Sunscreen * Small First Aid kit * Field guides

(Note that there is an outhouse at Shaw Pond, our halfway point.)

HIKE SCHEDULE:

July: 10, 17, 24, 31 August: 7, 14, 21