STREAM FOR THE WONDER

sublime. Of course, that peaceful scene can quickly change when the enormous resident beaver motors around to smack his tail and remind me and my dogs who is in charge And the otter scat, full of fish scales, is a favorite for rolling in by certain hiking companions Spring also brings great bird sightings, including wood duck pairs and common mergansers. Over the years, I’ve watched the hayfield first grow blueberries and now fill in with white pine saplings In the woodlands, I’ve even come face to face with a fisher Located in a floodplain, McCabe’s trails are level, making it suitable for a variety of fitness and skill levels. During the pandemic, I met a guy who was on his first outing following quadruple bypass surger y! The looping trails can be confusing, so be sure to use the Forest Society’s OuterSpatial app and orient yourself with the river Enjoy!

Moody Mountain (above) in Wolfeboro is a favorite spot of mine to do a small hike with the family It’s so quiet, and I enjoy speculating about the forest succession that occurred there since pasture abandonment You don’t have to walk far to be in a different forest type. Hiking through the red spruce stands gives me the feeling that I am hiking in the White Mountains or parts of the Great North Woods. Having moved away from Wolfeboro, I don’t visit the property as much, but any time we are in the area and have an hour or two to kill or need to exercise the dogs, it’s a lovely place to do just that!

My favorite Forest Society property is The Floodplain, aka the Merrimack River Outdoor Education and Conser vation Area. It’s a gorgeous place to walk and take photos of wildlife and scenery I would go there a lot with my dad and sister, so when I think of The Floodplain, I think of spending time by the river soaking up the sun with my dad. It’s a very wooded property that feels like an oasis in the middle of Concord I also like it because the main trail leads you through the woods to a huge river It’s an experience with two different scenes that change in quick succession.

On a late fall day in 2020, I was looking for a new pandemic destination to visit that was “away,” but close enough for a half-day adventure. In my hiking file, I discovered a ripped-out page of Forest Notes advertising the Morse Preser ve, just 45 minutes away My husband and I packed peanut butter sandwiches and headed to the Lakes Region, now deserted during the off-season The drive up the hill from Alton Bay to the trailhead offered the first glimpses of views to come An easy hike from the trailhead led us to the panoramic world of the summit with views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Belknap Range before us.

Last summer, we introduced our grandchildren from Philadelphia (above) to Pine Mountain. They thought the summit was a perfect place to run around, and I think they noticed the views! Ice cream by the bay topped off our day.

I find the open fields and inviting woods at Monson Center (above) offer a serene setting to readjust my senses, slow down, and obser ve all the wonders surrounding me. I get a rush of curiosity noticing young chestnut trees growing, herons nesting, and the remains of the colonial settlement that took root and faded here long ago I always find myself taking time to appreciate the efforts of everyone that saved Monson while feeling so grateful that the area will remain intact for future generations Monson is a reservation where my mind is as content as my body after a day of roaming around this natural and cultural gem

One my favorite properties is the Washburn Forest I fished there with my son and we were amazed by its tranquility. It feels like you're the only people who have ever been there You can walk for miles and be completely alone. The only spoiled moment of our fishing trip was when my son went head over teakettle into the river. I caught him, but he still got soaking wet I spent a lot of time in Montana and Washburn makes me feel like I’m back in my old state So long as no one in your party is falling in the water, Washburn makes for a perfect fishing outing.