Inspiration Is Where You Find It

 I was feeling pretty sorry for myself on a beautiful spring day recently. Self declaring the trails in Vernon to be closed due to mud season and with the ice being out on the pond, I really didn't know what to do with myself. With all of the sticks picked up in the yard, I decided that we should go on a bike ride. Wayne and I are quite a sight on our mountain bikes wearing jeans and t shirts instead of racing spandex like the tourists do; but I'm not even sure if a 57 year old should actually be sporting spandex this soon after winter hibernation. Anyway, my bike made the decision for us when Wayne discovered a hole in the tire. 

I asked Wayne if he would like to go in search of fox with me. Wayne is no longer confused by these requests but knows enough to ask me what such an adventure would entail. I was working on a blog about fox populations reducing Lyme Disease and I couldn't find my pictures of the kits we we saw on Newton road a while back. I tossed in that perhaps we could check out that five mile loop my coworkers are so fond of. Wayne agreed to the fox hunt, but put the kibosh on my plans for a five mile urban style hike. 

Here is the picture walk of our five mile hike.

Having walked Newton Rd so many times, It hadn't occurred to me to begin taking pictures of the scenery until we were on the east end (I was looking for fox after all). This picture is looking back to the west

It's pretty interesting what we can see while walking versus zipping by on bike, in the car, or even on Google Earth. Here are the tracks that cross Newton Rd. Truth be told however, I still wasn't sure that this was a nature walk yet.

We needed to make a decision once reaching rt.142, would we head towards the north end of Pond Rd or to the south end? Fire Pond # 7 made the decision for us!

Cattails are an important wetlands plant for wildlife. They also filter out excess nutrients that cause algae and reduce bank erosion. 

Fire Pond #7 was really weedy which makes it great for fish. Wayne spotted several of what he thought might be Rock-bass and then he saw a fish that was big enough to make a fisherman's heart go thump! For my part, I found my first frog of the season.

With the tracks to the west, 142 to the east and Newton Rd to the North, I couldn't figure out how fish got into the pond. The source of the pond appeared to be seepage under the tracks that formed a wetland and small stream; but admittedly it was too swampy for me to get a close look.

A pipe redirects the water to the pond. I couldn't locate an outlet for the pond.

Is there a wetland or brook on the other side of the tracks? This pipe peeking out of the soil seemed to provide a clue as to how fish might have entered the pond.

Decision made, we proceeded to walk south on 142. I found it funny that there was a caution sign for bikes on this end of 142 given that Pond Rd is 35mph versus the 50mph on 142. Even so, I was grateful for the wide strip of pavement to the side of the white line.  

Spring Peepers kept us company on this stretch of road indicating wetlands up the hill where the tracks were. To the east there were plenty of culverts emptying into ravines. 

A dirt road heads down to fields between 142 and the Connecticut River. It's amazing how many farm fields there are in Vernon. 

The most amazing things happen when you least expect them to; and no I'm not talking about the fact that Wayne and I squeezed through the narrow underpass where the tracks cross 142 and lived to write about it! 

As Wayne and I were strolling along wondering quite frankly what we had committed to, I happened to glance over and noticed a woman planting, "What are you doing planting peas?" This is how I met Nancy, a most inspiring and knowledgeable resident of Vernon. You may know Nancy form her stand from which she sells cut flowers. As it turned out she was planting Ranunculus. I pretended to know exactly what those were; but asked her how to plant them. It turns out it's quite a process requiring knowledge of storage and temperatures and timing.

I enjoyed a long pleasant conversation with Nancy in which she explained to me how to create a fern planter out of moss. Finally I had found someone as enthusiastic about moss as myself! It was soon apparent however, that her knowledge far exceeded my own. When I asked her what else she planted, she told me that this year she was planting four hundred herbs that she had promised to a farm to table man. I think that I may have agreed to do some weeding this summer in exchange for some of her plant knowledge.

Time to hit the road again and I recognized the next turn. We were almost to Vern-Mont Farm territory

I long for the day that I capture a decent picture of a Turkey Vulture. Oh well, here is a pretty good picture of Sumac next to the tracks and (sigh) a Vulture overhead. 

Wayne always seems to get away from me on our hikes, perhaps I spent too much time gazing at the sky?

Some things remain in the environment longer than we do.

Take a right onto Pond Rd

Here are some of those bikers we were looking for!

Just before this picture was taken, we saw the most beautiful sight in the front yard of a picturesque home. There on the hill was a father sitting in the spring sun with his two young children. That sort of thing gives a person like me a good measure of hope and joy.

A favorite view of mine on Pond Rd

Do you see them?

Newton Brook has been of special interest to me ever since I read that it is to be remediated by the state due to pollution.  Looking north where Newton Brook passes under Pond rd

Looking south east, the brook flows towards the fire pond by Vern-Mont Farm. Newton Brook reaches it's destination, the Connecticut River just south of the VT / MA border.

Newton Brook weaves in and out of these farm fields and under Pond Rd. My question remains as to where the brook actually begins. With a history of agriculture and development through the years, the streambed has assuredly been redirected. 

I recommend tracing the path of Newton Brook on Google Earth which begins somewhere near Scott Rd and Lily Pond

There is a sweet home near the road with a lovely horse barn. With the leaves off of the trees I noticed for the first time a beautiful field beyond their tree line.

It was here at this stone wall that I remembered that we were supposed to be looking for fox. What reminded me of our quest here? Well of course it was that weasels often live in rock walls and weasels eat mice. What else eats mice? Fox eat mice! We found lots of shade here but alas no fox.

Paying our respects at Tyler Cemetery

The hills appear to change direction here. 

We stopped at the corner of Plain Rd and Pond as our friends Cheryl, Peter and their grandson were out front enjoying the day. They had erected a life sized cross for an Easter reenactment tour. I asked Cheryl if it would be okay to walk along the edge of the field for the last stretch of our hike and she approved. 

This field is opposite of Lily Pond and Cheryl informed me that down at the end of Sonny Dr there is an old dump that she and her father used to hunt old bottles at.

The next road over is Newton Rd from where our adventure began. It's pretty much on the money a five mile loop. Wayne and I drove the upper loop this morning that goes north on 142 from Newton, up to the post office at Georges Mill to the north end of Pond Rd and south to Newton again. That loop is also five miles. Wayne isn't convinced yet, but someday we are going to walk the entire ten. With Vernon full into mud season and while the trails dry out a bit, it's a good time to look for inspiration where you can find it (even if the foxes aren't out yet.)- Norma Manning

If you would like to try one of the Vernon five mile loops, there is parking available behind the Vernon Rec on Pond Rd, at the post office / Georges Mill on 142 and at the Vernon Fish Hatchery pond on Newton Rd.

The Rec Trails to the Vernon Dam

 On the last grey day of February, Wayne and I decided that we should hike the lower 142 East - West trail. We had already hiked from Silver Lane to the town forest which was uphill both ways and so thought it would be nice to hike on flat land. There was some discussion about footwear and ultimately it was decided that our Kamiks without snowshoes would do the job. The forecast predicted forty degree weather and so we both wore light hats and skipped the layers. I hadn't thought of it until well into the hike, but we were closing the loop on several previous blogs and in the end, actually walked full circle. 

Snow cover was patchy from the start.

Before we get too far on our way, I want to mention that on this trip Wayne and I saw a pair of Bald Eagles on a nest. Because they are still under protection in VT I won't say where on the trail we came upon them. Let's go for a three hour walk shall we?

The Rec trails have interesting trees, rocks, vernal pools and wetlands. You can expect to find oak, birch, hemlock and beach trees.

I'm not really sure what happened to this birch along the trail. Perhaps someone practiced on it with a hatchet creating vertical marks where mustache shaped ones should be. 

I appreciate it when landowners clearly post signs when they prefer that people stay off of their property. Wayne and I had been concerned about walking a snowmobile trail; but honoring the wishes of landowners kept things friendly.

One last landmark before leaving the Rec Trails and continuing on the green diamonds marking the vast trail. The area after this is filled with interesting ledge and shallow ravines. Keeping an eye out for wetlands kept us occupied in these woods.

A vernal pool looked to be forming in the distance. We stayed on the trail however, hoping to find another closer to it.

With yesterday's rain, streams emerged from under the ice and snow.

Erosion is evident near to the stream as shown by these exposed Eastern Hemlock roots. Silt pollution is problematic for fish and amphibians.

I hadn't realized just how much rock was back here, but if you are like me and you love rocks, then I think that that you would agree that this would be a lovely place to visit in the summer.

No trespassing signs come in many forms and it's best to stay alert for them. Here a random clearing in the woods had a log propped on top of a post.

I've seen prettier stone walls in the woods but this one was ever so clever with segments of wall being built between ledges. That's one way to save on rocks and work!

The forest began to change to predominantly Eastern Hemlock and Eastern Mountain Laurel. We did see mature Black Cherry, White Pine and Oak on other parts of the trail, though I didn't take pictures of them.

An enchanting stretch of trail!

I was on a guided tour in the Black Gum Swamps with a lot of adults and one elementary school aged child. It didn't take long before I started to pay attention to that boy because his curiosity was uncovering more than I had hoped to see. It was he who taught me that if you see something interesting on the front of a tree, be sure to go around the back of it for the complete story. 

I was starting to wonder when we would intersect Newton Rd on this hike. When we stopped for a break, Wayne let me know that while I was lost, he had looked at the map and we weren't going to cross Newton.

I thought that this Eastern Hemlock in various stages of healing was fascinating!

Wayne and I agreed that crossing Island Meadow Brook was the most interesting moment of the entire hike. The woods opened up into widened flat wetlands area with an open meadow containing milkweed beyond. I think that it is important to note that this brook seems to have been renamed Indian Meadow Brook. In early papers it is named Island but in current maps it is Indian.

It was quite the surprise when I realized that I had just this week, while working on my blog about a healing pool, located this same brook on Stebbins Road.

This is the time to plant milkweed seed and this field looks to be purposefully set aside for pollinators. 

Ahh a sign of hope! I think that I know how far it is from the tracks to 142.

Once we were hiking in a small wood in Vernon, we came upon a museum of sorts. I spent a considerable amount of time photographing the old cars, discarded machinery and household items like sinks and refrigerators. I was in heaven! When we walked out of the woods, we were met by the owner who wanted to know what we were doing in there. I was too ashamed to admit that I was taking pictures, so only told him that I was admiring a bit of history. I never did publish that find as I wanted to respect the privacy of someone who turned out to be a very nice and interesting resident. I came upon similar things here.

State land marker

The land here looks to be swampy, but there were also what looked to be vernal pools. It's difficult to tell if standing water is year round with everything frozen. 

Passing near state lands that were more open. 

Finally we arrive at 142 with the closed School House Grocery in sight

With 142 Crossed, Wayne decided that we should press on and go all the way to the Vernon Dam. I was tired but the thought of another chance to locate the healing pool in the Stebbins Road area was a pretty good carrot on a stick!

The trail crossed Stebbins Rd and ran next to the power lines

Spring tease!

We began to see markers along the brook. Further down, the trail had been moved away from the brook.

Turkey tracks with a non descript predator track in the upper left

The northern stretch of Stebbins Rd was in sight, but the trail lead further east.

It was disappointing to not find additional prospects for the pool; but we did come upon an opening that is clearly visible on Google Earth. Perhaps only a sand pit with melting snow collecting.

More spring like things. Just look at those green twigs and red buds!

Finally we reached Stebbins Rd which we needed to walk along towards 142, until the trail picked up again on the CT River side beyond where Island Meadow Brook intersects with the road.

CT River is sight beyond the planned new construction at Vernon Green.

I'm thinking that these are racoon tracks.

By way of letting readers know our location on the trail, I took this picture of the little white church on 142.

Is this a branch of Town Brook or another brook that is too minor to make the water resources maps?

Bridge over Town Brook which is named Lower Salmon Brook in old Vernon documents.

Vernon Hydro Station

Eastern Cottonwood or Big Toothed Aspen are large softwood trees that grow near water. These old trees were impressive for their scarred bark and size.

Though I don't appear to be so, I was really thrilled to come across this giant! I guess my exhaustion was showing.

Ferns help us to picture what the forest floor looks like in the summer.

Cold Brook

After three hours of hiking, the Cold Brook Store on Governor Hunt Rd, marks the end of today's journey on the 142 green diamond vast trail. 

There is nothing left to do but take the paved path home.

Resources

Vernon Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club