Throwback Adventure

I have decided to return to posting new “Throwback Adventures” after taking time to re-post some of my favorites with Shadow.  This has been a therapeutic process for me to share.  We are devastated that both Shadow and Buster have both passed, but find peace knowing we can continue to remember them through our “Throwback Adventures”.  They were amazing boys and are forever in our hearts.

I have decided to make some changes to my Throwback section. This is partly because I have had the blog for about two and a half year and each week I have posted an Adventure from before I started the blog. This has become more challenging between finding old photographs, and identifying the location. Although I will still be adding some here and and there I thought I would also use the Throwback Adventure to share past Adventures I have posted. I have new followers, and of course not every follower has been able to view all blogs.

So today I am sharing my blog from The Watch Hill Lighthouse back in July 2019. This was a peaceful, and scenic Adventure that I shared with Shadow and Wilma. The location was on a rocky coastline, surrounded by lovely trails. The Watch Hill Lighthouse was unique, and I found it quite gorgeous. Please see our previous blog for more information and one of my favorite photograph highlights below: The Castle Hill Lighthouse

Weekly Video/Photo

If you follow my blog regularly please skip down to the last paragraph…

I have decided to return to the “normal” Weekly Video/Photo section of my blog.  As you likely know we lost Shadow about two months ago and I have been focusing this section on Shadow.  However, I have peace knowing I will continue to highlight favorite photographs including Shadow and Buster.  The plan will still be to still display a video or photo, usually highlighting an Adventure, while I might also sneak in some that are humorous, adorable, or just other fun dog moments.

If you have followed my blog from the beginning you will know that I adopted Shadow as a puppy, and about a year later adopted Buster as a puppy.  We had many wonderful years together before experiencing the devastating loss of Buster at just seven.  It took a long time for our hearts to heal, but almost a year later we welcomed little Wilma into our world.  We were recently devastated to loose Shadow on April 3, 2020.  It is so painful to know Shadow and Buster are both gone, but they will be in our hearts forever!

Today’s photograph is one of Wilma from Gillette Castle State Park this past Fall. This is a gorgeous park of which I love to explore, and have to resist blogging EVERY time we visit. This photograph was not actually at the castle, but one of the trails on the grounds. It was a beautiful Autumn day and this is one of my endless favorite snapshots on this day of Adventures. Here she is:

February 21, 2021 – Moore State Park – Massachusetts

Today we Adventured to Moore State Park in Paxton, Massachusetts.  Moore State Park is approximately 400 acres, and was a former home to grist and saw mills.  Portions of the park are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It has a pond, trails, and various “Mill Village Features” on the grounds.

We had a snow-filled Adventure to Moore State Park. I first discovered this park with Buster and Shadow, visited once with Wilma and Shadow and this past Fall rediscovered it with Wilma. Since our initial blog was close to three years ago I thought it would be a good time to blog about it again, including photographs from various visits and seasons. I really have grown to love Moore State Park. The scenery is beautiful, including: fields of wildflowers, waterfalls, a pond, a scenic old mill, and an array of trails. Currently the covered bridge is under construction, which usually frames another small waterfall. I have always found the dog owners to be responsible at Moore State Park so that all dogs can appreciate this special location. We have enjoyed the trails, and the scenery in all seasons. I even took some of Wilma’s Christmas photos there this year. Below you will see a collage of photographs from our various visits including many from our snowy hike today. We look forward to many more visits at Moore State Park (Rating: 4).

February 18, 2021 – Manhan Rail Trail – Massachusetts

Yesterday Wilma and I Adventured to the Manhan Rail Trail in Easthampton, Massachusetts. The Manhan Rail Trail is a six mile paved Trail that is also located in Northampton and connects to various other Trails in the community. The Trail is popular for walking and biking.

We had a refreshing Adventure to the Manhan Rail Trail with my Uncle and his good friend. I was eager to catch up with my Uncle and also meet his friend. It was a dark and dreary day, yet that did not dampen the atmosphere. At the beginning of the walk we found beautiful views of the mountain over the pond, soon finding a map of the Trail. We then headed away from civility into the woods, past some old mill buildings , a water tower, and a waterfall from afar. Wilma enjoyed strolling with others, preferring to be in the lead, and often checking to make sure everyone was still together. The crisp air, floating snow flakes and great company made for a wonderful Adventure. We had a wonderful walk, listening for the birds, catching up, and I learned a great deal about the history in the area. So glad to to visit another New England Rail Trail (This blog will not be rated).

Throwback Adventure – Aquatic Therapy – Massachusetts

I have decided to return to posting new “Throwback Adventures” after taking time to re-post some of my favorites with Shadow.  This has been a therapeutic process for me to share.  We are devastated that both Shadow and Buster have both passed, but find peace knowing we can continue to remember them through our “Throwback Adventures”.  They were amazing boys and are forever in our hearts.

I have decided to make some changes to my Throwback section. This is partly because I have had the blog for about two and a half year and each week I have posted an Adventure from before I started the blog. This has become more challenging between finding old photographs, and identifying the location. Although I will still be adding some here and and there I thought I would also use the Throwback Adventure to share past Adventures I have posted. I have new followers, and of course not every follower has been able to view all blogs.

So today I am sharing a new Throwback Adventure, Buster’s Adventure with aquatic therapy. Buster had knee surgery back in 2013, and from there went through physical therapy, including time on the water treadmill. Although some may not understand a procedure of this nature, he had a complete tear of his cruciate ligament and needed to have this surgery to return to a qualify of life. Although a very stressful time for me, really a “normal” surgery in the dog world. After surgery we did some physical therapy to ensure a successful recovery. We did everything the physical therapist told us to do at home, in the community, and in the sessions. This Throwback blog is specifically of his water treadmill therapy. Buster was such a good patient, and rehabbed well and quickly, soon returning to our Adventures. So glad he had such a supportive big brother in Shadow to encourage him in the process…

February 17, 2021 – Gay Head Lighthouse – Massachusetts

Today Wilma and I Adventured to Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah, Martha’s Vineyard. Gay Head Lighthouse was built in 1856. Gay Head Lighthouse is a red brick and sandstone lighthouse that is approximately 170 feet in height.

We had a fun Adventure to Gay Head Lighthouse. Gay Head Lighthouse was one of the locations I was especially eager to visit, a unique lighthouse with views of the Aquinnah Cliffs. We arrived to find ourselves alone, I was quite shocked as this is a top tourist destination in Martha’s Vineyard. We headed straight to the Gay Head Lighthouse, a scenic path leading the way. We arrived quickly, the sun streaming brightly. We walked around the small area and peered over the edge onto the cliffs, and they were really pretty, although not as spectacular as I had imagined. However we took in the views, and then returned to the base of the Lighthouse for some more photographs. From there we enjoyed the other aspects of the ground, and even spotted scenic views of the Lighthouse from afar, while traversing the nearby conservation land. So glad we could visit the Gay Head Lighthouse today (Rating: 4).

February 17, 2021 – East Chop Light – Massachusetts

Today Wilma and I Adventured to East Chop Light in Martha’s Vineyard. East Chop Light was originally built in 1876 and stands in the town of Oaks Bluff. It is appropriately 40 feet in height.

We had a peaceful Adventure to East Chop Light our first stop on our Martha’s Vineyard Adventure. We were the only guests at this location making it just right. We headed through the gate and over to East Chop. There was some fencing around the Lighthouse, but an opening that appeared to provide a door to wander the small grounds. It as a little unclear, but hopefully I visualized this correctly as there were no signs indicating otherwise. We walked around the grounds checking out the Lighthouse from each angle and of course Wilma appreciated the new smells. There were some benches nearby, and a purple porta potty right next to the Lighthouse – yikes! There was not much to explore, but so glad that we could visit East Chop Light today (Rating: 3).

February 17, 2021 – Martha’s Vineyard – Massachusetts

Today Wilma and I Adventured to Martha’s Vineyard, an Island of Massachusetts. It is compromised of six different towns that encompass over 100 square miles. Martha’s Vineyard can be reached by boat or air, and is especially a popular location in the summer. It is known for the beaches, walking, hiking, biking, shops and restaurants.

We had a wonderful Adventure to Martha’s Vineyard. We woke up long before dawn, and drove to the ferry where Wilma experienced her first boat ride, well technically. I actually decided to bring my car on the ferry to make sure we had an expansive experience on the Island, and so glad I did!

Our stops today included: the East Chop Lighthouse, Lobsterville Beach, the Gay Head Lighthouse, the Aquinnah Cliffs, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, Dutcher Dock, Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, and Doug’s Cove a short trail of Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission. We had so much fun scouting out the new scenery, and walking, even finding some unexpected trails adding distinctive and gorgeous terrain to our day. Wilma loved exploring, digging, rolling, and posing. So glad that we found a sunny day this week to make this Adventure especially perfect! I will put a collage of photos below. In addition I will be writing a blog for each lighthouse so they will be logged in the official Lighthouse section (although you will see some of my favorites below.). A beautiful day with the little lady…well worth our exhaustion! (This blog will not be rated).

Weekly Video/Photo

If you follow my blog regularly please skip down to the last paragraph…

I have decided to return to the “normal” Weekly Video/Photo section of my blog.  As you likely know we lost Shadow about two months ago and I have been focusing this section on Shadow.  However, I have peace knowing I will continue to highlight favorite photographs including Shadow and Buster.  The plan will still be to still display a video or photo, usually highlighting an Adventure, while I might also sneak in some that are humorous, adorable, or just other fun dog moments.

If you have followed my blog from the beginning you will know that I adopted Shadow as a puppy, and about a year later adopted Buster as a puppy.  We had many wonderful years together before experiencing the devastating loss of Buster at just seven.  It took a long time for our hearts to heal, but almost a year later we welcomed little Wilma into our world.  We were recently devastated to loose Shadow on April 3, 2020.  It is so painful to know Shadow and Buster are both gone, but they will be in our hearts forever!

Today’s photograph is one of Wilma from this past Saturday at Gloucester’s Fisherman’s Memorial. We have been there numerous times before so it is not a location I blogged about this weekend, however one of our many Adventures of the day. It’s a beautiful statue remembering those fisherman lost at sea. A beautiful stop along our HarborWalk. Here she is:

February 15, 2021- Norumbega Tower – Massachusetts

Today Wilma and I Adventured to Norumbega Tower in Weston, Massachusetts. Norumbega Tower is a stone Tower built in 1889 by Eben Norton Horsford. It is said to be the site of the Viking town of Norumbega. The Tower is approximately 38 feet tall, and has a spiral staircase that leads to the top.

We had a fun Adventure to Norumbega Tower. I had read about Norumbega Tower in the past and was looking for some simple local Adventures after our long walk, due to the impending weather that changed my original plans. So today was the day for our Adventure to Norumbega Tower. Upon arrival we found no parking for the Tower due to the snow. I drove around for a little bit, before deciding to park at the office building around the corner and down the street, determined to explore this unique location. We parked and walked to the main street before trancing through the snow, and up a hill and over to the Tower. Wilma was quite thrilled, running in circles and darting from place to place! I was glad we did not having any foot mishaps not always knowing where we were walking due to the snow and unknown surroundings.

I was excited to arrive at the Tower, although nothing spectacular, still quite distinctive. We wandered up to the Tower checking out all aspects. I was surprised to find the Tower gate open and decided why not – up we went. The climb was easy but yet the higher we got I realized maybe not the safest conditions to be climbing the small stairs, some covered with ice and snow. We also passed one part in the dark – yikes! It was fun watching Wilma climb eagerly, seeming to check on me on some occasions, listening carefully when I asked her to wait, and peering out the windows as we passed. We made it to the top quickly – a small circle lookout with views of the River, and darkness of the day. We hung out for a little bit before beginning our descent. (See below for a video of our climb). I was quite surprised I made it down without a slip with the snowy and icy conditions. Definitely a true Adventure! After climbing down we wandered around the Tower. Overall there was not much to see, however, the climb made it all worth the trip. So glad we could Adventure to Norumbega Tower today (Rating: 3.5).