Hoosac Tunnel

Five of us got together to go on an adventure today. We, as in Rob, had a specific place in mind when we started off but as the trip progressed we all thought the East entrance of the Hoosac Tunnel seemed like a worthy diversion.

I arrived at our destination slightly cramped from the hour long drive in the back seat of a pick-up truck but we were all anticipating the next few hours. The tunnel entrance was right around the corner from where we parked and as soon as we got near the railroad tracks we could feel the temperature drop. There was a nice cool breeze coming out of the tunnel which makes sense as it is essentially a 5 mile long cave.

This is Rob, my crazy tree-loving brother, aka "The Cherocraft dude".

And the rest of the crew!

The beginning of the tunnel was very wet. Water was dripping from the ceiling, the walls were wet and there were pools of water along the sides of the tracks as you can see in the first picture. After a few minutes of walking most of the dripping stopped but the pools of water remained as did the cool dampness.

Our guide started to tell us about the ghost stories surrounding the tunnel, nicknamed “The Bloody Pit”. 195 people died during the construction of this tunnel and another 30 have died since it was completed. Some were buried alive, some died by explosives and others were murdered. I can see how some people would think they could hear the moans of dead people. The sounds in the tunnel were a little eerie and with a healthy imagination they could have been ghosts.

In 1997 a ten foot wide strip of stone from the top of the tunnel was removed which you can clearly see in these photos.

We walked for a little while but we weren’t prepared for a 5 mile tunnel walk so we turned around and headed out. There was still more to see on this adventure.

Below are some links to the tunnels history and photos of the construction. It was considered to be an engineering marvel in its day and is an interesting story of our past accomplishments.

Hoosac Tunnel Hoosac Tunnel : Abode of the Damned? Hoosac Tunnel Wiki Hoosac Tunnel Then and Now Catskill Archive: Hoosac Tunnel

After the tunnel our adventure continued up river. A short walk from the entrance of the Hoosac Tunnel leads to the Twin Cascade Brook and waterfalls.

We spent the next few hours climbing up one side of these waterfalls and back down the other. I didn’t take any pictures because my camera was safely tucked away in my backpack. The terrain was wet, slippery and treacherous. It required an almost single mindedness to traverse, one step at a time.

At the end of our adventure, on our way back to the truck I spotted this dragonfly. He waited patiently for me to get out my camera and take a picture. I am pretty sure he is a Zebra Clubtail Dragonfly which is on the endangered species list.

Amethyst Brook Conservation Area

I don't know much about the Amethyst Brook Conservation Area because "The Google" didn't provide much information. But this is what I managed to piece together.

This conservation area encompasses nearly 40 acres along Amethyst Brook in Amherst, Mass. The Robert Frost Trail that runs through it is 33 miles long and stretches from the Holyoke Range State Park to the Mt. Toby Forest in Sunderland.

I also learned that it is one of two parks in Amherst that allow dogs to be leash free. I was thinking that this would be a nice place to run but after learning of the leash free dog rule I think I will go somewhere else. I have had bad luck while running, with leash free dogs. No sense putting myself in the jaws of the beast.

Speaking of beasts...a large bear sighting. Cool...unless of course you are so close that you can smell the beast. Then maybe not so cool.

The first of three wooden bridges crossing the Amethyst Brook.

The second wooden bridge.

I ran across a small patch of Lady's Slippers during my adventure. They are from the orchid family and are sometimes also called Moccasin flower. The Pink Lady's Slipper, like the one below, is the state wildflower of New Hampshire.

One of the really cool things about these flowers is how they germinate. The bright color of the flower or slipper, entices insects to crawl inside the opening in the front. Once inside these insects cannot get out the same way. They must crawl upwards towards the base of the slipper where they pass the stigma and anthers. Hopefully they deposit what pollen they have and pick up more on their way out of the slipper. Isn't Mother Nature awesome.

Next I came across this Labyrinth, at least according to the sign left by "The Keeper". I walked its path and left my token but it really was a spiral more than a Labyrinth. At least as I understand Labyrinths from this book, The Labyrinth Experience. Regardless, it was a nice unexpected spot with a bench nearby and a tree angel watching overhead.

The third bridge.

Walking further along the trail I came upon another unexpected site, a '56 Ford Fairlane, or rather what was left of it. I don't know how long it has been here but the car was buried in soil half way up its tires. It was pretty neat to see this rusting metal car being slowly eaten up by Mother Nature. Everything returns to nature eventually, despite our best efforts to make our mark upon this world.

Ahhh, now this is the life.

Little Pond at White Memorial

White Memorial Foundation and Conservation Center is a 4,000 acre, privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northwest corner of Connecticut. It was created in 1913 by Alain White and his sister May White and currently has 35 miles of trail, a museum, campgrounds, boating facilities, meeting houses and provides a vast array of educational opportunities for young and old alike.

I decided to go to the 1.6 mile boardwalk around Little Pond this time. The water was low and judging from the plant life growing, it looks like it has been this way for awhile. I have been here many times in the past when the boardwalk was covered in water, usually only ankle to knee deep and once waist high, but I have never seen it this low before. Maybe the beavers have moved up stream.

Chesterfield Gorge

Penrapture, RayK and I went to the Chesterfield Gorge today. It is one of Trustees of Reservations properties which is the nations oldest conservation organization. The Chesterfield Gorge was the 7th property acquired by The Trustees in 1929.

We were met in the parking lot by a nice fellow with a table of brochures and bug spray if we needed it. He gave us a brief overview of the property and some history on the gorge.

Chesterfield Gorge was carved out by the glacial meltwater from metamorphic bedrock. The East Branch of the Westfield River now runs through it. There is a trail that runs along the top of the gorge walls which is where these pictures were taken from.

The trail comes out to a dirt road which soon comes to an area where you can access the river. Here there were fisherman fishing and Green frogs were hanging out in the pools of water.

Apparently you can drive down the dirt road for several miles as it follows the river downstream, which sounds like fun to me. I am also looking forward to following the river upstream, walking along the rocky shoreline, exploring all its nooks and crannies and maybe making friends with another frog or three.

Elwell State Park

A few pictures from the Elwell State Park in Northampton, Mass.

Forestdale Cemetery

Penrapture and I decided to take a break from all that sewing on Friday night to visit the Forestdale Cemetery. She did a thought provoking blog about life and death and the meaning of such things. Walking around a cemetery certainly should make you think of your own mortality and your place on this earth.

I however, was distracted from all that by the trees. The glorious, magnificent, wondrous trees of Forestdale Cemetery. This cemetery was organized in 1880 and dedicated in 1882 so it has some nice old trees in it. The big oaks, maples and beech trees are beautiful. When I stand next to them I am in awe of their size and glory. Trees represent knowledge, power and grace. And yes, they are a link to the Heavens and the Earth.

Ok, I'm a tree-hugger. I can't help but to lay my hands upon their bark and silently say hello. I am reminded of just how small and insignificant we are as humans through their size and strength yet I am one with the universe through their spirit and connection to all living things.

Think Like A Tree
Soak up the sun
Affirm life's magic
Be graceful in the wind
Stand tall after a storm
Feel refreshed after it rains
Grow strong without notice
Be prepared for each season
Provide shelter to strangers
Hang tough through a cold spell
Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky
Be still long enough to
hear your own leaves rustling.

by Karen I. Shragg