After I finally settled in some at the house, I was grateful for the three day holiday weekend last weekend. An extra day to putter or relax or go for a walk was just what I needed. Hurricane Isaiah was forecasted to bring us some heavy rain on Sunday last week, so when Saturday presented as a sunny warm day, I decided to head over to a regular haunt of mine, Conant Brook Dam, which I’ve featured many times in this blog. I wasn’t sure if I should include it as part of my Walktober contribution since I go there so often, but the gorgeous blue of an autumn sky and the amazing foliage that Massachusetts has been treated to this year made my decision for me.
The rains did indeed arrive that Sunday, but then Monday was another beauty, and I was anxious to get out for another walk or hike. I chose the Goat Rock trail in Hampden, which I’ve also featured a few times in the blog – I went there last October when peak foliage had passed but still found some pretty sights to see, so I thought I’d really like to check it out when all these wonderful colors were out. I was not disappointed.
This blaze marking the white trail struck me funny – I thought it looked like a skeleton face. Appropriate for an October hike, no?
View from the south overlook on Goat Rock trail.
On the way back down the trail, I thought the mushrooms growing around this tree looked interesting.
Nicole and Jane and I hadn’t gotten together for a hike in quite a while due to different circumstances affecting our lives, but then this past Wednesday, we made one happen after work. We climbed Bare Mountain in Amherst. It is a relatively quick climb, but also steep. The top rewards you with some lovely views. I did this hike once in the early morning this past July, so getting to see it with autumn colors ablaze was worth the trek. We stopped and had a “snacky” dinner when we reached the summit.
(Photo courtesy of Jane as the sun began to set on our hike back down)
I hope this post wasn’t too long to be enjoyable, but I really couldn’t decide which one of my walks should be my official Walktober post, so I didn’t! Are you participating in Walktober? Don’t forget to leave Robin a link to let her know.
A happy hiker relaxing post-hike on the patio of the new house – apple core from my favorite fresh autumn apples, macouns, lol.
