Beaver Brook hike

What a wonderful hike at Beaver Brook in NH! 

We thought we were the only ones there, so technically we wouldn't have to wear our masks.

Turns out we weren't the only ones there. 

It was also the start of "black fly" season in NH.  We were surrounded by them!  So most of us decided to wear our masks to keep the flies off of our faces.

Flies or not, masks or not, it was a very enjoyable family hike with exercise signs along the path:

Followed by an in-the-car picnic (with poutine!) on the ride home, we also narrowly escaped a big thunderstorm.  It was a fun way to spend family time together.

Fells Foursome

While Ashley was hanging out at a friend's birthday party at the Fells, we took a short hike on another path.  Alert hikers Adam and Tate spotted an abandoned fountain.  And yes, neither we nor the party-goers were deterred by the on/off rain!

 

Hiking with Cousins

Met up with cousins to explore Arlington's Great Meadow together.  Then we went out for lunch.  How wonderful to have cousins in Boston!

Nashua River Rail Trail

Here we are in Ayer at the start of the Nashua River Rail trail.  What fun!  We took a long walk / bike ride.  Very proud to announce that we carried in and carried out.  Whoohoo!

Adam's favorite part of the ride?  Spotting an old car through the trees.  After some research with Googletta (aka Grandma), we determined it to be a 1956-ish Ford Mainline.

Snowy Fells Hike

And once again, we were off to the Fells for some wintry fun.  MLM likes nothing better than a hike in the snow w/ her brood.  The morning was off to a great start.  Adam packed the snacks on his own!

And then we were off!  A+A bravely led the way:

And we tried to take a family "selfie", but it was tough:

So there was some directing involved:

And we managed to capture this:

And this:

Then we headed home for hot cocoa and cookies!

Quick Hike

Sometimes MLM, MLD and Mr. T get away for a quick hike.  Here we are in Weston checking out a new park:

Back to the Fells

The Fells is such a big park that we never tire of visiting.  Just after the first snowfall we stopped by to take a quick hike.  The sky was impossibly blue, it was sunny and not too windy.  What a beautiful day!

A Hiking We Will Go

Not too snowy?  Check.
Not too sunny?  Check.
Not too hot, buggy, or otherwise yucky outside?  Check.

Then it's off to the Fells we go! 

Hiking the Meadows

Another beautiful weekend, another hike through Arlington's Great Meadows (conveniently located within Arlington, of course).

We had cooperative citizens on the hike and captured some nice photos thanks to Daddy's selfie skills:

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

When A+A are busy on Sundays, we take Mr. T on hikes.  After all, this is a kid who pounds on the windows asking to go "ow-tide" in all types of weather.

We made a return trip to the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.  We heard lots of birds but didn't see too many.  That's OK, because there was plenty of room to run and have fun with MLM and MLD:

Rockin' the Look

The A-team is rockin' it this fall in their fancy sweatshirt jackets:

What a cozy way to keep warm while hiking through Menotomy Rocks.

Arlington's Great Meadows

This little gem is tucked into Lexington, and it packs a punch for those looking for a very (very!) easy hike with kids.  There are boardwalks, mushrooms, and flowers to smell.  And most of it is shaded!  Who could ask for anything else?

After watching the Smurfs movie, we picked this mushroom to see if there were any Smurfs inside.

Photo at the start

The meadow is behind us

Funny faces all around!

Whipple Hill

We've been on a hiking kick lately.  This time we hit the trails at Whipple Hill in Lexington.  What a beautiful find!  Ashley clambered up a big boulder:

And we took a great family photo:

Snack at Spot Pond

The little guy and I attempted to do the child-friendly "Hike-N-Seek" a few weeks ago.  He got as far as the snack and then stoppped:

Hike at Mill Pond

Finally took a hike around Mill Pond.  It was a hot day, so we took two water breaks.  The kids hammed it up for the camera both times!

And for the alert readers out there, Daddy and Tate were enjoying a lazy morning at the "pancake place".

Hikin' Family

There is one thing Tate lets us do which A+A did not:  use the canopy!

To the Fells!

MLM and MLD waited patiently for Tate to wake up from his Sunday afternoon nap and, truth be told, were secretly envious that Tate was the only one who got to nap that day.  Amid much complaining, gesticulating and whining, we packed up three children into the van and pointed ourselves toward the Middlesex Fells.

We needed some fresh air and we needed it fast.

And it worked!  Withing 5 minutes the kids were climbing across downed trees, throwing stones and finding new sticks to carry.  Even Tate was so happy to be outside that he didn't pull MLM's hair while in the carrier.

It was a great afternoon for everyone:

Ashley climbed this rock all by herself!

Acadia

At the end of March, MLD and I stole away for a vacation to Bangor and Acadia National Park.  We even saw a marriage proposal at Thunder Hole!  Here's some of the stunning scenery for those of you who have yet to visit:

Try clicking on this one and then use your mouse to pan around, up and down;  it's a special panorama shot.

At Ship Harbor Nature Trail

At Thunder Hole (where it did not Thunder, unfortunately)