#Middlesex Fells Reservation

[wordsandimagesbycynthiastaples]

on the side of a tree

[linseedling]

Rough sketch of the cover for my Boston nature zine

[herpsandbirds]

Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), caterpillar, family Papilionidae, Middlesex Fells Reservation, Melrose, Massachusetts, USA

photograph by Jared Adelman

[johnstevenmullaly]

Top Spots for Mountain Biking in Massachusetts

Mountain biking has become a popular recreational sport in Massachusetts as expanding trail networks accommodate more enthusiasts. The New England Mountain Biking Association caters to 10,000 members in the New England area, including Massachusetts.

Massachusetts offers diverse trail systems, ranging from technical to easy, that are free or inexpensive to access. Some of the most popular areas for mountain biking in the state include Middlesex Fells Reservation, Wompatuck State Park, Abram’s Rock/Village Park, Vietnam Trails, Leominster State Forest, and Thunder Mountain Bike Park.

Middlesex Fells Reservation, or The Fells, remains a favored intermediate-level mountain biking destination north of Boston. Riders can explore trails offering single tracks, challenging climbs, and technical features located near several towns, including Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, and Winchester. The Reservoir Trail Route spans 5.2 miles of predominantly single-track terrain.

South of Boston, Wompatuck State Park offers diverse single-track trails for mountain biking. From new, fast-paced routes to older trails featuring technical turns, log-overs, and rocky terrain, all riders can hit their strides. Accessing the park is convenient even without a car, with the Cohasset Commuter Rail Station nearby and the Whitney Spur Rail Trail only a short ride from the park.

Abram’s Rock/Village Park in Swansea offers terrain near the South Coast for beginning to intermediate riders. The trails boast smooth paths punctuated by unique rock formations such as Wildcat Rock and Lion Rock. Bikers can reach some of these formations, which offer scenic views from their peaks. The trail system also incorporates technical features such as rock drops, log-overs, and teeter-totters. Heavily used trails in the park include Bridges and Rusty Cars, which offer the opportunity to complete 10- to 12-mile journeys. For advanced riders seeking a challenge, trails such as Thing 2 and Superman, the system’s only Double Black Diamond-rated trail (the most advanced trail rating for mountain biking routes), provide thrilling experiences.

Vietnam Trails in Milford are for bikers seeking a technical challenge. The New England Mountain Biking Association maintains these trails. Farther south, the trails become increasingly technical and offer riders obstacles such as big drops and rocky features. This 47-acre trail system comprises routes ranging from easy to advanced. Four parking areas provide direct access to the Conservation Land surrounding Vietnam Trails. The Adams Street parking area is the most popular trailhead because it grants easy entry to the technical southern section.

Leominster State Forest spans 4,246 acres across several Massachusetts towns and boasts an extensive trail network popular among mountain bikers. Nestled in the forest is the Crow Hills, an isolated rock hill with dual summits. This trail system comprises 10 miles of advanced single-track trails covering diverse terrain.

Thunder Mountain Bike Park in Charlemont offers a range of trails, from beginner-friendly greens to pro-line jumps. The well-maintained trails cater to all skill levels. For beginners, riders can experience the Sugar Line or tackle intermediate challenges such as The Gronk. Advanced riders can push their limits on advanced trails such as Juggernaut and Hawleywood. Thunder Mountain Bike Park offers rentals and lessons for those without gear or experience.

[gonodactylus]

Middlesex Fells Reservation

Boston, MA

[18thfoot]

26th August 1914 - Western Front.

Audencourt 3am - 5 pm. The Battle of Le Cateau was fought in France. The battle was largely fought by the BEF’s II Corps, commanded by General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien. The Corps Commander’s intention was to strike the Germans hard, and then continue the retreat, but his intentions were poorly communicated to his subordinates, some of whom thought that they were to hold the ground at all costs and that no further retreat was planned. II Corps deployed with 5th Division on the right on the Le Cateau- Cambrai road between Inchy and Le Cateau. 4th Division was on the left flank and 3rd Division in the centre between Caudry and Inchy. In 3rd Division, 7th Brigade was located at Caudry, 8th Brigade to the east of Caudry, and then 9th Brigade. 2nd Royal Irish was in 8th Brigade, located between Caudry and Audencourt.

The battalion stood to from 3 am to 5 am. They and 4/Middlesex were in Brigade reserve until about 8 am when both battalions were deployed to support the forward troops.

A Coy were held in battalion reserve at the crossroads 200 yards southwest of Audencourt where they were ordered to entrench. 40 Bde Royal Field Arillery had batteries located east of Audencourt close to the Royal Scots positions and near A Coy positions at the crossroads. The Germans began shelling these positions about 9 am. At about 9.30 am Lt-Col Cox, the battalion commander was wounded by shrapnel. The battle around Audencourt was largely an artillery duel until 1 pm when the shelling ceased; to be replaced by desultory rifle fire.

At 2 pm the Germans began a heavy bombardment of Audencourt, lasting until 4.45 pm when a retirement was ordered through A Coy’s position. The bombardment fell on this area at about 5 pm with A Coy sustaining many casualties. The bombardmemt was followed shortly by an infantry assault from the east and north east and Cox ordered A Coy to retire 800 yards south towards Montigny. Here B Coy under Maj Daniell rejoined from Caudry. Daniell took command of the two companies while Cox was evacuated by ambulance wagon.

Caudry 5am - 5 pm. The Germans began shelling the village of Caudry about dawn. About 8 am C and D Coys were sent under the perennial Maj St Leger to reinforce the Gordon Highlanders. D Coy under Captain Elliott plus one platoon of C Coy were deployed in a railway cutting, extending the Gordon Highlander’s line. Major Panter Downes and the rest of C Coy were deployed facing east to counter any threat from Caudry where the 7th Bde were already being forced back. The Royal Irish lacked entrenching tools, theirs' having gone astray on the retreat from Mons. C Coy were therefore forced to deploy in the open. St Leger kept a small reserve of 25 men with him.

At 1 pm the Germans shelled Caudry heavily while engaging St Leger’s position with rifle and MG fire. An hour later troops in Caudry began to retreat and the Royal Irish came under MG fire from their right rear, indicating the Germans had broken through the Gordon’s line. About this time 2/Lt Edward Philips joined St. Leger with 7 men with whom he had been sent to cover D Coy’s left flank. Philips had lost 8 men moving positions. With his position now under fire from three sides, St Leger ordered the unwounded men to make their way to C Coy’s area. St Leger himself was wounded in the arm but managed to crawl to C Coy’s area. Here he found Maj Panter-Downes lying fatally wounded. Panter-Downes reported that his men had held their position until they came under fire from the rear. All his officers and NCOs being casualties he ordered his men to retreat as best they could. 2/Lt Philips, also wounded, escaped after dark, joining a company of the Cameronians south of Caudry.

B Coy under Major Daniell had been sent to reinforce 7th Brigade in Caudry where his platoons were dispersed in various positions. When the village was evacuated, Daniell gathered as many of his men as he could and withdrew to rejoin the battalion. Two of his platoons were separated in the withdrawal, and, under Lt Newton-King, joined an ammunition column. They rejoined the battalion at Ham on the 28th August.

With a general retirement under way at about 5 pm, the remnants of the Royal Irish withdrew to Beaurevoir. The Battalion’s casualties for the day were 218 killed, wounded and missing.

#18thfoot #royalirishregiment #greatwar #worldwar1 #ww1 #mons #oldcontemptibles #lecateau

[eluneth]

We finally made it to the Middlesex Fells for the first time this weekend! Just stunning at golden hour, and we got to see two orioles, too. // 30-minute Tombow marker sketch.

At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious... I’m getting better by planning the drawing as if it were a watercolor painting (obviously they are both transparent media): work light to dark, plan the edges of the shapes, “cut in” interesting shapes with darks to add definition, etc.

It continues to feel weird to work with such light, high-saturation colors since normally muddying everything is my jam. (Which raises an interesting possibility: what if I used these on toned paper?) But it speaks to how well-designed the sampler sets are, that the colors play so nicely together even with (to me) some crazily saturated things in there, like the cyan for the sky.

Apparently the blender marker (which I forgot to pack this weekend, anyway) works if you use the markers on watercolor/mixed media paper, so I’ll have to remember that when I do the direct sketch pass through my new mixed-media journal (currently being used for collages).

[ariweinklephotography]

Sun.

[beausbugbiome]

Bombus impatiens— Common Eastern Bumblebee 🐝

Middlesex Fells Reservation, MA

[rcmclachlan]

uhh what are your favorites? for sea food and hikes/beach? thanks ^.^

All the good beaches AND seafood are north of Boston. In fact, avoid Boston altogether.

If you're looking for bonkers good seafood, I can't recommend The Causeway in Gloucester highly enough. Best clam chowder ever. My favorite dish is the haddock au gratin (if you get it, ask for extra sauce. It's so good). They also serve Pepsi, which makes them an automatic winner in my book.

If you're looking for beach views, stick around Gloucester. Wingaersheek Beach is one of the best, but if you keep driving through Gloucester, you'll hit the coastal road, which boasts some incredible seascapes. You can also drive down the coast via 127, which will take you through Manchester-By-The-Sea and Rockport, and eventually you'll spill into Beverly. From there you can hop on 128 to 95 (they become one in Peabody).

For hiking, I recommend either the Middlesex Fells Reservation in Stoneham (since you'll already be on 95) or Breakheart in Saugus (you can easily pick up Route 1 from 95). Further north is the Ipswich Wildlife Sanctuary, where chickadees will literally land in your hand like you're in a Disney movie.

If you're looking for more touristy stuff, definitely bop around Salem for an afternoon. Good luck finding parking, though. I recommend parking at Salem Hospital and walking 20 minutes into the center of town.

Most importantly, have fun and stay warm! The weather report will say one thing but the sea breeze will say another.

[ixalit]

Ya know how Chris has a new necklace he’s been showing off recently? I’ve got a fluffy little thing that explains how that came to be...

•••••••

So, I’m thinking that when Seb visited Chris in Boston during quarantine they would take Dodger on long hikes around his house (as Chris said). I have no clue where Chris lives in relation to Boston but maybe they’re hiking around the Middlesex Fells Reservation and stop at Cascade Falls for a little picnic. Maybe it’s one of the last days before Chris and Scott are going to be leaving for LA, and Seb’s been acting kind of nervous. Finally, Chris asks him what’s wrong.

Seb pulls out the new necklace - this one of St. Sebastian - kinda blushing and says, “I know you already have one and it’s from your grandma and really special to you... You don’t have to wear this one instead or anything just- Look, I know it’s sappy but I want you to have it so you know I’m always with you when we have to be in different places for work.”

Maybe, shortly after they first met during The First Avenger, they ✨bonded✨ over both having St. Christopher necklaces, so this gift means something for them.

Obviously, Chris tears up and hugs the shit out of him and starts kissing all over his face like an affectionate puppy because of how shy and sweet Seb is when he’s nervous. Maybe Dodger gets excited and starts playing and jumping around their feet. Chris sets his stuff down, puts on the new St. Sebastian medallion and pulls his original one over his head. He puts it around Seb’s neck (and uses it to tug him a little closer, he can’t resist). It rests right beside the necklace Seb was already wearing, right over his heart.

Chris cups his cheek and quietly says, “I love you, ya know that? You’re mine, gotta make sure people know I’m yours too.”

“Yeah, I’m yours,” Seb agrees softly.

“Yeah ya are.” Chris smirks. “Gonna make sure everyone sees me wearing this.”

They spend the afternoon trading kisses, cuddling, and exploring a waterfall in the middle of the woods with Dodger. When they decide to head home, they hold hands all the way. They’re aware they essentially just exchanged promise rings, and they both know what they want them to mean... But they also know, with everything as disrupted as it is, now’s not the time to ask for real.

•••••••

@musette22 added the part about the necklace being a St. Sebastian medallion, which I think makes this at least a hundred times cuter.

[wordsandimagesbycynthiastaples]

the fells in fall

[speciesofleastconcern]

3:00 snapshot: Nature Walk with Sandi and the Niblings! (at Middlesex Fells Reservation) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVtFG1NL0_D/?utm_medium=tumblr

[winterhill-aria]

Middlesex Fells Reservation, MA

[nitrosplicer]

Climbed a tower in the woods covered with graffiti (Middlesex Fells Reservation, 10.3.20)

[hyperionnebulae]

What a gorgeous day to spend sometime outside. #massachusettsviews #autumn (at Middlesex Fells Reservation) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF8rSmwDd_i/?igshid=1qz3syzysxq1h