June 19, 2023 – Arthur A. Smith Bridge – Massachusetts

Today I decided not to blog about our main Adventure – The Mount, Edith Wharton’s House, as I have blogged about it previously, and did not feel I took enough photographs to represent the location. However, I thought I would share the link to below to my past blog when Wilma and I visited this gorgeous location. (Although I will share one of two of my favorites of Wilma and Gus in future sections of the Weekly Photo/Video section).

https://adventuresofshadowandwilma.com/?s=The+Mount

On to Adventure 2 of 3 from today:

Today we Adventured to the Arthur A. Smith Bridge in Colrain, Massachusetts. The Arthur A. Smith Bridge traverses the North River. It was built in 1869 and is the only Burr Truss bridge in Massachusetts.

We had a simple Adventure to the Arthur A. Smith Bridge. I was thrilled to find a new covered bridge, and even better, located in a quiet rural location. The water was singing slowly down the river, adding a lovely song. I took photographs from both sides of the bridge and took the pups out on one side to sniff, explore, and pose. The bridge was plain but had lovely mountain views. So glad we could visit the Arthur A. Smith Bridge today (Rating: 3.5)

June 4, 2023 – Dairy Queen – Massachusetts

Today Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to Dairy Queen in Natick, Massachusetts. Dairy Queen is an international franchise that serves items, including: ice cream, burgers, and shakes. The Dairy Queen in Ghent also had a drive through.

We had a tasty Adventure to Dairy Queen. I had plans for a new active Adventure but due to this weekend’s gloomy forecast we decided to enjoy local walks, trotting for about five hours (over two days) at our favorite Arboretum. After today’s walk we decided to stop for a treat at Dairy Queen. We arrived to find a very quiet and simple location. They seemed surprised when I requested dog ice cream but said they could get them a small vanilla, so of course I said yes! I ordered a Butterfinger Blizzard but was disappointed that there was little candy in it. However, the pups loved their ice cream, licking up every bite. So glad we could appreciate some goodies at Dairy Queen today (Rating: 3).

Spectacle Pond – Kayaking

Today Gus and I adventured to Spectacle Pond in Ayer/Littleton, Massachusetts to enjoy some kayaking. Spectacle Pond is shaped like glasses, giving it the name Spectacle Pond. It is approximately 78 acres, with an average depth of 11 feet, and becoming as deep as 30 feet. Spectacle Pond is fed by Bennett’s Brook and feeds into Forge Pond via Gilson Brook.

Gus and I had a peaceful Adventure of kayaking on Spectacle Pond, while Wilma enjoyed some relaxing time with Grandma! We launched on 119, before Agway (heading from Littleton). Gus and I have been to this Pond before on a past kayaking adventure, but I did not blog about it so today was the day. I thought we might not pull off this Adventure as I could not get Gus into the boat. He did not like how it was tipping as he tried to come in. I was close to leaving, but we made it happen. Soon after he was in the boat Gus was relaxed, yawning, and peaceful. He seems to love riding on the water, we just have to work on a better entrance routine. Upon entering the Spectacle Pond we almost had to turn back again as there were sticks and items blocking the water, however, I spent some time, and found a little entrance to the side through the weeds and off we went – finally!

Spectacle Pond was not a large Pond. I paddled to the opposite side and explored some areas on the sides. There was one party boat, and one stand-up board, but no one else in sight. I am guessing many of the homes are summer homes, although maybe people were away for the weekend. My favorite part was the lovely yellow lilies, I wish easier to photograph, but I did not want to risk my camera coming out of the waterproof case, but I did my best. Glad we were able to get out on our first kayaking adventure this year (This blog will not be rated).

April 29, 2023 – Bedford Farms Ice Cream – Massachusetts

Today, Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to Bedford Farms Ice Cream in Bedford, Massachusetts. Bedford Farms Ice Cream was founded in the 1880s. The current owners bought the business in 1884 and opened a second location in Concord in 2001. Bedford Farms Ice Cream is known for their homemade ice cream, custom ice cream pies, and custom ice cream cakes.

We had a delicious Adventure to Bedford Farms Ice Cream. Due to the rain storm heading our way we decided to embark on a local walk of almost three hours before celebrating the weekend with some ice cream. We arrived at Bedford Farms Ice Cream to find only one other visitor in line. I ordered the pups an ice cream, the soft serve special, and ordered myself a root beer float. The property was small so there were few seats or landscaping, however Wilma and Gus were far from picky and devoured their ice cream treats in a hurry! I decided to take my float in the car and continue to enjoy it at home. There was not too much ice cream in the float but who can complain about a creamy ice cream float – so tasty. We talked around and took several photos before heading home. So glad to enjoy a new ice cream location on this dreary New England day (Rating: 3).

April 16, 2023 – Bruce Freeman Trail (Concord) – Massachusetts

Yesterday, Wilma, Gus and I Adventured to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Concord, Massachusetts. The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is a twenty-five-mile Trail that includes the towns of Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, Concord, Framingham, and Sudbury. The Trail is 10 feet in width and is popular for: biking, skiing, walking, jogging, and rollerblading.

We had a refreshing Adventure to the Bruce Freeman Trail. I was eager to explore this section of the Bruce Freeman Trail, just recently open. We parked right off the well-known Concord rotary and off we went. It was a beautiful day, although the sun and blue sky did not arrive until the very end of our walk. We explored trail in both directions, including several gravel trails off the main paved trail. The scenery was simple, but there were some water views, benches, a bridge, field views, and some flowers along the route. The pups loved walking and exploring. We mostly saw walkers, runners, and bikers, but did see a couple furry friends, one of which was off leash and far from the owner. We enjoyed this Trail for about two hours. So glad we could visit yet another portion of the Bruce Freeman Trail (This blog will not be rated).

February 20, 21, and 22, 2023 – The Beaches of Nantucket – Massachusetts

This week Wilma, Gus, My Mom, and I Adventured to Nantucket where we spent much of our time exploring various beaches. The Beaches of Nantucket vary based on the location providing differing surf, temperature, and terrain. We were lucky to stay right near Siasconset Beach, which we spent endless hours exploring. In addition to Siasconset Beach we visited: Fisherman’s Beach, Jetties Beach, Brant Point Beach (you will see those photos in my Brant Point Lighthouse blog), and Pocomo Beach.

We had a refreshing Adventure to the beaches of Nantucket. Wilma, Gus, and I spent 1.25-2 hours each morning walking along Siasconet Beach, and also visited this beach later in the day with My Mom. The waves were often crashing loudly and quite spectacular, although it became much calmer on our last day when the sun decided to arise. We found many scallop shells, horseshoe crabs and crab shells. On Jetties Beach we found picturesque trails through the seagrass which arrived at the Beach, and a very long jetty. The water was calm and a lovely tropical-like color many slipper shells scattered throughout the sand. Fisherman’s Beach we entered through a short stair boardwalk down to the beach. My favorite part of this beach was the Moon Snail Shells, I found many, although mostly slightly cracked on their journey to the shore. We found Pocomo Beach when the tide was in, providing a very small beach front. It was foggy on our visit, creating quite the mystic scene.

My favorite parts of the beaches were looking for shells, and other treasures from the sea. Wilma and Gus loved digging, and Gus picked up and tossed whatever he could find. The pups even found a couple tennis balls, which was quite exciting. I was especially thrilled to have one day where we could appreciate the sunrise, and the warmth of the sun. It was just lovely and ended our journey with a gorgeous scene. So glad we could visit many beaches in Nantucket on our trip to the Island this week (Rating: 4).

February 21, 2023 – Brant Point Lighthouse – Massachusetts

This week Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to Brant Point Lighthouse in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Brant Point Lighthouse is on the Northern section of Nantucket, at the entrance to the Harbor. It has been re-built and constructed numerous times, but the current structure was built in 1901. The Lighthouse stands almost thirty feet in height.

We had a chilly Adventure to the Brant Point Lighthouse. I was thrilled to arrive finding no other visitors in site. We walked around the property, and of course especially enjoyed the Lighthouse. I loved the colorful walkway to the Lighthouse which added some nice color to the dark scene. The sand was full of shells, and the seagrass added some variety and texture to the landscape. I actually had low expectations of this Lighthouse as the pictures looked quite simple, but I was quite pleased with the location. Wilma and Gus enjoyed visiting yet another Lighthouse, exploring some new landscape and of course always keeping their eye on their Grandma. So glad we could visit Brant Point Lighthouse this week (Rating: 4).

February 20, 2023 – Sankaty Head Lighthouse – Massachusetts

This week Wilma, Gus, My Mom and I Adventured to the Sankaty Head Lighthouse in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Sankaty Head Lighthouse was built in 1950 and is 60 feet in height. Sankaty Head Lighthouse is a working lighthouse and can be found on the Eastern point of Nantucket.

We had a wind-filled Adventure to Sankaty Head Lighthouse. I was quite excited to visit Sankaty as it is hard to find new lighthouses, and of course not easy to get to Nantucket. We arrived to see the picturesque lighthouse from afar, high above a golf course and the crashing ocean shore. We attempted to see the ocean view before trotting over to the Lighthouse. The Lighthouse was quite tall and just lovely. There were some informational kiosks along the way but overall, not much to see besides the Lighthouse. So glad we could adventure to the Sankaty Head Lighthouse today (Rating: 4).

January 29, 2023 – Phoenix Bike Trail – Massachusetts

Yesterday, Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to the Phoenix Bike Trail in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. The Phoenix Bike Trail is a four-mile trail that runs from Fairhaven to Mattapoisett. The Bike Trail follows the Old Fairhaven Branch Railroad.

We had a dull Adventure to the Phoenix Bike Trail. I debated sharing this blog as we only explored a very small portion of this Bike Trail but decided to post. We parked along the shore and started at the formal beginning of this Trail. The majority of the Trail we traversed ran through the neighborhoods, and past several parks. There were many others out walking, and we found those we passed quite friendly. We enjoyed walking, waiting for some exciting scenery, which never arrived on our short walk. However, Wilma made sure to enjoy some enthusiastic rolls, while Gus was quite energetic throughout. Glad we could visit another New England Rail Trail. We might just have to explore another part of the Trail on a future visit (This blog will not be rated).

January 22, 2023 – High Rock Park, Tower and Observatory – Massachusetts

Today Wilma, Gus, and I Adventured to the High Rock Park, Tower and Observatory in Lynn, Massachusetts. I had been curious about this Tower for some time, so today was the day. The Tower is approximately 85 feet tall and provides views of Boston, Nahant, Swampscott, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is found in a seven-acre city park. On occasion the Tower is open to the public, and visitors can view the Tower’s telescope.

We had a quick Adventure to High Rock Park, Tower and Observatory. I decided to take a familiar walk nearby before heading to the Tower. Today was another dark and dreary New England day, no sun to be seen. Upon driving up the hill to the Tower, I was impressed, quite lovely. We walked around this small Park checking out various views of the Tower and out over the nearby cities. The Park was quiet, with just several visitors nearby. There were a couple large rocks, but really not much to see besides the outdoor view of the Tower. I actually had checked with the town about the Tower being open, and they reported it would resume when the weather was a little warmer…although I neglected to ask about dog visitors – oops. So glad we could check out this unique Tower today (This blog will not be rated).