July 30, 2021 – Moffatt-Ladd House/William Whipple House – New Hampshire

Today Wilma and I Adventured to the Moffatt-Ladd/William Whipple House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The home was the former home of William Whipple known as one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and is now a historical landmark and museum. The museum strives to share the history of all inhabitants of the home. The museum and gardens are open for limited hours, and guided tours of the home are available.

Wilma and I had a lovely Adventure to the Moffatt-Ladd House. I decided to take Wilma on a private adventure today, and we were quite pleased that the weather was just right. Wilma, Gus, and I enjoyed a two hour family walk this morning, and have been mostly appreciating our “normal”, local locations this week. However today I decided to return to the Moffatt-Ladd House. Wilma and I had actually tried to visit one other time but the hours were changed and they were closed, so today we returned for a second attempt. Since parking was not available, and because I wanted to get a walk in on the way we parked a little distance away from the House. We were pleased to arrive to find the doors open. The property was very quiet with few other visitors in sight. I am assuming dogs are not allowed inside the buildings, although did not formally inquire, so we just explore the grounds. The gardens were very small, but quite beautiful with variety of vibrant colors, and some unusual flowers. The garden was highlighted by lovely trellis-like arches which really added quite the touch. It did not take us long to finish exploring but we took our time, myself enjoying taking some photographs while Wilma enjoyed lounging and rolling in the perfect green grass. So glad we could visit the dog-friendly garden at the Moffatt-Ladd House today (This blog will not be rated).

July 22, 2021 – TurnPark – Massachusetts

Yesterday Wilma, Gus, and I adventured to TurnPark in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. TurnPark is an open-air museum and sculpture park, which also has performances at the outdoor amphitheater. It highlights three main artists and is located on approximately sixteen acres of land.

We had a wildflower-filled adventure to TurnPark. I was excited to visit TurnPark as I have not been to a new sculpture park in some time. The admission was $10 to enter, and thankfully the dogs were allowed in the building to purchase tickets. We began our walk at the former marble quarry, huge boulders reflecting into the water below. There were sculptures throughout our walk. Although we received a map it was a little confusing, and we found several areas blocked off so just followed our eyes, and noses (haha) to make sure we did not miss any of these creative sculptures. There were lots of wildflowers on the grounds, sometimes framing the paths. These wildflowers were difficult to catch up camera however were quite lovely. We found few other visitors, and besides the nearby highway, it was quite peaceful. The sculptures ranged from objective to subjective, and varied in size and shape. Each sculpture had a label, and although I did not read all of them I particularly loved the one that I believe was titled “eyeball”, and one that appeared hammock-like in my mind. The Park was quite small, which surprised me , however definitely a unique location. It was starting to get warmer out on our visit so Wilma appreciated some lounging in the grass on this adventure. Gus does not often stop moving on our adventures, although occasionally will lounge with big sister Wilma, or to eat a tasty stick. So glad we could adventure to TurnPark today (This blog will not be rated).

June 19, 2021 – Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens – Connecticut

Yesterday Wilma, My Mom, and I Adventured to Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in Stamford, Connecticut. Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens has 12 gardens, trails, free dog training, educational programs, and summer concerts. The Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens is free and is open dusk for dawn.

We had a refreshing Adventure to the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens. I was excited to explore a new Arboretum and Garden. We were thrilled My Mom could join us for a girls day out! We began by exploring the trails making sure to see a variety of terrains, including “wetlands” and trails that went over streams, through the woods, and near ponds. The trails were simple, but peaceful. We saw few others along the way. It was warm but there was a little breeze. My favorite part of the trails were the boardwalks.

After exploring trails we went over to the gardens. We did our best to catch all of the gardens. Wilma made friends with some people who seemed to be having a children’s party, literally rolling into their laps, and hearts. It was quite entertaining. Before we knew it she was surrounded by children eager to pat her. I always love these sweet moments. From there we continued to explore the gardens. They were simple but there were definitely some beautiful flowers, and spots along the way.

So glad we could explore the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens (Rating: 3.5).

January 24, 2021 – The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University – Massachusetts

Today Wilma and I Adventured to the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, in the area of Boston, Massachusetts. The Arnold Arboretum was established in 1872, and encompasses 281 acres of land. The Arboretum maintains a record system of which all plants on the ground are tracked, while research is ongoing. The Arboretum is free and open to the public, offering outreach enrichment to people of all ages. It is part of the Emerald Necklace, a system of parks in Boston.

I first posted about the Arnold Arboretum over two years ago when Shadow, Wilma, and I first discovered it. Little did I know it would become one of my favorite local parks. Wilma and I generally visit weekly, and have experienced it in all seasons. Almost every single time we go I find something new. We recently experienced our first after snowstorm visit which was a spectacular winter wonderland. I love the Arboretum as it is full of culture, and diversity, individuals, and families, it really is an environment that fits all. The Arboretum has bridges, streams, ponds, hills, trails, and gardens. As you may expect Wilma absolutely loves chasing the squirrels and can often be found attempting to climb a tree. We even have seen a snapping turtle, although thankfully Wilma did not even notice. Since it had been years since I blogged about it, and I have snapped constant photographs I thought I would put together this collage of photographs. Such a special place, which has become our therapeutic oasis. The Arnold Arboretum is definitely a must in New England, and it is a given that we will be back (Rating: 4.5).

August 17, 2020 – Cape Cod – Massachusetts

Today Wilma, My Mom, and I Adventured to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Cape Cod is a peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean off the southeastern corner of Massachusetts. It is a popular summer destination known for the laid-back lifestyle. Cape Cod draws tourists for its beaches, lighthouses, ponds, villages, and the seafood shacks and restaurants.

We had a relaxing Adventure to Cape Cod today. We were able to visit: the Green Briar Nature Center, Highfield Hall and Gardens, Nobska Lighthouse, and Nobska Beach. We have visited all of these locations previously, although it was Wilma’s first for several. These locations included: gardens, a fabulous lighthouse, and a lovely beach. Unfortunately the Lighthouse was under some construction, but we still enjoyed our visit. I decided to do a photo collage of all of these four stops combined all in one! If you have any questions about the photographs, or locations feel free to contact me on the contact form, or in the comments. A beautiful day with wonderful company (Rating: 4).

June 14, 2020 – The Mount, The Edith Wharton Estate – Massachusetts

Today Wilma and I Adventured to The Mount, The Edith Wharton Estate in Lenox, Massachusetts. Edith Wharton was an author who designed both the home and the grounds. The property included: gardens, numerous trails, and the estate. There are tours of both the gardens and home, and The Mount also hold various cultural events.

We had a pristine Advantage to The Mount. I had done minimal research but had confirmed that The Mount was dog friendly. Upon arrival I was surprised to see the simplicity of the property but that did not last long as we soon were wandering into a wonderful scene. We began walking into the woods past the “Stable” before arriving at the main home. The home was beautiful, and quite immense. We admired the home before heading to the nearby gardens.

The garden was bright and colorful, highlighted by a beautiful fountain in the center. We strolled around taking photographs and appreciating the bright variation of colors. From this flower garden you could pass through a tunnel of perfectly pruned trees to the next garden which was more ivy based, and also contained a lovely fountain. Surprisingly I enjoyed the less colorful garden most, quite unique.

Besides the gardens we spent time exploring the endless trails, even arriving at a pond, I believe it was the Beaver Pond. The trail along the Pond was just beautiful, scattered with wild flowers! That was definitely my favorite part of the trails although we also enjoyed hiking through the woods, finding several small bridges, and streams. Some parts of the trails were labeled but they were a bit confusing without a map. However we were quite pleased to take a long walk in addition to exploring the gardens and estate. We even located the Pet Cemetery, a dedication to Wharton’s best friends. A special and sad little spot on our visit.

We also took some time to sit, relax and enjoy the environment, although Wilma generally preferred to lay down on her time, not on my planned “sitting time” – my funny girl. Although there were many visitors and voices they were pretty well spread out and it was sill a peaceful place. Such a beautiful day to enjoy The Mount (Rating: 4)

June 1, 2020 – Wickham Park – Connecticut

Today Wilma, My Mom and I Adventured to Wickham Park located in Manchester and East Hartford, Connecticut. Wickford Park is a private, non-profit foundation. It is 280 acres in size and has a vast amount of opportunities including: gardens, playgrounds, sports facilities, and ponds. It is also a popular location for community events and private weddings.

We had a fragrant Adventure to Wickham Park. I was very happy to find yet another dog-friendly garden! We arrived at the Park at around five and explored until it closed at eight. The Park had beautiful gardens, decorative features to highlight the garden theme, boardwalks, bridges, and more. We walked and walked, I believe exploring every garden in the Park. Throughout the evening we often smelled the fragrance of flowers, including the lilacs, my favorite smell of all!! We approached each turn eagerly, looking forward to the next garden. And of course we took plenty of time to relax, enjoy the scenery, and take photographs.

Besides the beauty of the gardens, we were quite awed by the sky, blue with beautiful clouds. The sun was streaming through the trees, creating a fantastic sunset. It was really the perfect way to end a wonderful evening. We absolutely loved our visit to Wickham Park and hope to be back in the future (Rating: 4).

May 25, 2020 – Connecticut College Arboretum – Connecticut

Today Wilma and I Adventured to the Connecticut College Arboretum in New London, Connecticut. The Connecticut College Arboretum is an Arboretum and collection of botanical gardens. It provides opportunities for research, teaching, conservation, education and recreation.

We had an eccentric Adventure to the Connecticut College Arboretum. I had heard about the Arboretum back on our last visit to the area and was quite excited to head back to New London. After some confusion with parking, we eventually arrived on Williams Street and parked at the gate entry. Soon after heading in there was a map on a kiosk, but it did not have a detailed trail routes so we decided to wander with no specific plan. We soon arrived at the Azalea garden, finding pink, orange, red, and various other colors. From there we came upon a pond, hearing the bullfrogs chirping loudly, and birds singing. We located a dock-like area and of course had to head out to the end. Wilma seemed slightly uneasy at the shaking of the dock, but overall was quite brave and curious at this floating feature. There were lily pads throughout, and rocks protruding. After exploring the pond we headed on to the trails.

I loved the trails at the Arboretum, feeling as though we were transferred into another environment. Along the trail we found large boulders, views from atop of a ravine, a dock like boardwalk through a bog, and lots of greenery and trees. Although I found the Trails a bit confusing we always ended up figuring out where we had been and where to go next. There were numbers on several parts of the trail, but I was not sure what they were indicating, my guess is a self-guided tour. We walked, walked, and attempted to traverse all the trails we could find.

After enjoying endless walking we found various areas of the Arboretum including the wildflower garden, and the conifer collection. I actually found myself appreciating not having a map as we never knew what we might find around the corner. Wilma enjoyed a nice long hike and as always was eager for some exercise and new terrain. We spent about two and a half hours at this spectacular Arboretum. Definitely a fun place to explore (Rating: 4).

May 13, 2020 – Acton Arboretum – Massachusetts

Today Wilma, My Mom, and I Adventured to the Acton Arboretum in Acton, Massachusetts. This was our second Adventure to the Acton Arboretum as My parents, Shadow, Wilma, and I visited exactly two years ago. The Acton Arboretum which is situated on some of the 65 acres of conservation land in Acton. It has a short trail system, and provides numerous gardens to explore. The Arboretum offers self-guided tours, available for download.

We had a colorful Adventure to the Acton Arboretum. I decided to blog again about this Arboretum as it has been two years since our last visit. We had quite the challenge finding parking as spots were greatly reduced due to COVID. This was quite frustrating, but after a very long delay in plans we were able to locate a parking spot…let the relaxation and floral therapy begin!!

We took our time slowly exploring various corners of the park, both My Mom and I snapping constant photographs. We had no route, no plan, and no map, appreciating the spontaneity of the moments. The Park had many blooms, although was still in the early phases of spring. I absolutely loved the boardwalks, ponds, and a bright red bridge. There were benches along the route allowing one to stop and appreciate the gardens. One of my favorite parts was a trail through the woods that included boardwalks and was scattered with bright yellow Celandine, blue bells, and various other wildflowers. The colors were vibrant and just spectacular. Along the way we saw several animals including a Baltimore Oriole, radiantly orange, and a sweet little turtle relaxing in the pond.

Throughout the evening Wilma enjoyed screaming at the squirrels (yes literally!), posing as requested, and becoming overzealous at the sight of any furry friend. We spent about two and a half hours exploring, enjoying great company and appreciating all the sights and smells of spring. Such a simple, but lovely place. I expect we will be the Arboretum again, hopefully long before another two years (Rating: 4).

May 13, 2020

May 13, 2018

May 9, 2020 -Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds – Connecticut

Yesterday Wilma, and I Adventured to the Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds in Old Lyme, Connecticut. As expected Studio 80+Sculpture Grounds is a Studio and outdoor Sculpture Ground, dedicated to arts education and appreciation. The Studio is open by appointment while the Grounds are open 365 days per year. The Sculptures on the Grounds are available for purchase.

We had a colorful Adventure to the Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds on a breezy May day. I was excited to discover a new Sculpture Grounds to explore. We wandered through the woodsy section of the Grounds, appreciating sculptures in many directions. The Grounds were small, but had no shortage of sculptures to admire. The Grounds abutted a “waterfront” which I am guessing was the Lieutenant River. We wandered over to the water’s edge, and Wilma enjoyed posing on a bench, intently watching the fisherman from afar. It was a simple yet beautiful scene. One aspect I appreciated about the grounds were signs pointing to different locations identifying sections of the Sculpture Grounds (example: secret garden, waterfront…). I thought this was a fun, and artsy way to add character to the lovely display of artwork.

Throughout our visit Wilma was thrilled to roll around in the grass, and eager to explore. I had many flashes of our Shadow, as he would have been rolling alongside little Wilma, bittersweet! Wilma appeared curious about some of the sculptures but had no moments of fear to these unexpected structures. We sauntered throughout the property several times to ensure we did not miss one of these special creations. We really loved our Adventure to the 80 + Sculpture Grounds and thank them for allowing dog-friendly guests (Rating: 4).