December 24, 2020 – Bradley Palmer State Park – Massachusetts

Today Wilma, My Mom, and I Adventured to Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield, Massachusetts. This was Shadow, and my second visit to Bradley Palmer State Park as we had been to the Park with Buster in February of 2016. Bradley Palmer State Park is a 736 acre Park on the Ipswich River. It is a former estate of noted attorney Bradley Palmer. Bradley Palmer State Park is popular for hiking, horseback riding, bicycles, canoeing, skiing, and the Willowdale Estate.

We had a jolly Adventure to Bradley Palmer State Park. We have been there several times but it had been a very long time since our last visit, so today was the day. We were thrilled to have My Mom join us for this Adventure. We began our Adventure exploring the Willowdale Estate which was decorated beautifully for the holidays. We snapped many photographs, including our traditional Mother-Daughter selfie. Wilma posed elegantly for yet another Christmas photograph. A simple yet beautiful holiday scene.

From there we headed to one of the endless trails. Although I had viewed the trail map ahead of our visit it was quite complex, so we decided to just spontaneously pick a trail. The trail was snow covered, simple, but lovely. We walked past several frozen ponds. The sun was barely peaking through, almost reflecting on the ice. It was a beautiful winter scene. We walked and explored, stopping to study a Beech Tree for several minutes but mostly sauntered among the trees. Wilma loved walking and exploring, catching snowballs, and eating the fresh clean snow. During our visit we spotted other canine friends, who were all on leash, and some hikers, skiers. and guests snowshoeing along the trail. It was an unusually warm day for New England. Such a special way to spend some time on Christmas Eve. So glad we could return to Bradley State Park today (Rating: 4).

Photographs from our past visits

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 Saint-Gaudens National Historic Park in Cornish, New Hampshire. We have been there twice, once with Shadow and Buster, and the second time with Shadow, Wilma, and my parents. Saint-Gaudens Park is a beautiful location filled with flowers, rushing water, history, and beautiful mountain views. There is a small waterfall on the grounds and many short trails. It is a gorgeous and unique spot that I look forward to visiting again in the future. Here is the link to my original blog to see photographs and additional information from our Adventure:

October 19, 2019 – Saint-Gaudens National Historic Park – New Hampshire

A quick snapshot of our Adventure to Fort Foster Park…see our blog for more!

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 my favorites, if not my favorite photograph of Wilma for this year’s Christmas card. She posed elegantly and received many compliments from those passing by durings this photo shoot. This photograph was taken at the gorgeous Halibut Point Park. So here she is my holiday girl, Wilma!

December 19, 2020 – Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts

Yesterday Wilma and I Adventured to the Village of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Shelburne Falls is a Village in the town of Shelburne. Shelburne Falls is located in the hills, along the Deerfield River. It is known for the shopping, crafts, restaurants, and for the Bridge of Flowers, Salmon Falls, and the “glacial potholes”.

We had a holiday decorated Adventure to Shelburne Falls. I had read that it was one of the most “Magical Christmas Towns In Massachusetts” so decided this would be the perfect place for a December Adventure. And although it did not at all live up to this title, I suspect the night experience may have been what has given it this honor, with holiday lights adorned throughout.

We have been to Shelburne Falls previously but were pleased to find it much quieter then our visits in the warmer months. Shelburne Falls is very small, but we made sure to walk on all the sidewalks and streets that encompassed this charming village. My favorite parts of this town are the scenic Iron Bridge, the Bridge of Flowers (closed currently and the actually bridge is not dog-friendly), Salmon Falls, views down the Deerfield River and seeing the “glacial potholes” covered with snow. I also loved the Mosaic Mural project, which combines art, history, and the great thoughts of the youth of the community in artwork created by Cynthia Fisher. Lovely, colorful artwork throughout this quaint town.

Throughout our Adventure Wilma led us on our journey, nose to the ground! It is amazing how far she has come, and although she can be mysterious socially with her canine friends, she has just done wonderful in her training. She is very focused on me and now consistently knows I too am on her Adventures (haha!). Well unless a squirrel comes running through! It was nice to take a walk with new scenery. And although we did not go in any of the stores we did see a dog in one of the stores shopping with his family, which is a good detail to share with my fellow dog travelers. I will include photographs from our past visits, which include my Mom, and ALL of my amazing pups. I have only blogged about the Bridge of Flowers previously so you may have seen several of the photographs om the “July 2016” Adventure below. I always appreciate seeing photographs of the same location in different seasons, a wonderful perk of being a New Englander. I definitely consider the Bridge of Flowers a must-visit but make sure you have others with you as the actual bridge of flowers is dog friendly. (Rating: 4)

Yesterday, December 19, 2020

July 2016

July 2020

Decemeber 19, 2020 – Eunice Williams Covered Bridge – Massachusetts

Yesterday Wilma and I Adventured to the Eunice Williams Covered Bridge in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The Eunice Williams Covered Bridge was originally built in 1870 but has been rebuilt several times since. The Bridge traverses the Green River. This location also marks where Eunice Williams was killed after being captured by the French army and members of the Abenaki and Mohawk tribes.

We had a short Adventure to the Eunice Williams Covered Bridge. Upon arrival I noticed it would be challenging to park due to the show, endless “no parking” signs, and fast moving traffic with several blind spots. However we found a place a little farther down and left the warning blinkers on. We carefully trotted to the bridge, which was mostly surrounded by gating making it challenging to photograph thoroughly. However I did my best and made sure Wilma posed and smiled for a quick shot. Over to one side there was a dam-like falls, while to the other there the beautiful River was filled with chunks of ice and snow. The bridge appeared perfect in structure, yet was quite dull in color. However, besides all of the gates the area was pretty, peaceful, and reasonably secluded. We viewed the memorial signs nearby before heading back to the car. So glad we could finally visit the Eunice Williams Bridge, one of the few covered bridges we have not seen in Massachusetts (Rating: 3).

December 19, 2020 – Nashua River Rail Trail (Groton) – Massachusetts

Today Wilma and I Adventured to the Nashua River Rail Trail in Groton, Massachusetts. The Nashua River Rail Trail is an approximately eleven mile trail that runs from Nashua, New Hampshire to Ayer, Massachusetts. As expected it is built on a former railroad. The Nashua River Rail Trail is popular for biking, horseback riding, walking, fishing, skiing, and roller blading.

We had a snow-filled Adventure to the Nashua River Rail Trail. I was eager to explore this Trail as many years ago Shadow, Buster, and I regularly walked at the Nashua River Rail Trail in Pepperell. We briefly checked out the signs and headed down the Trail. The Trail was layered with deep, but light snow, groomed by fresh ski prints. We trudged through the snow getting a good work out with the depth of the snow. The path was quiet and peaceful, and we only passed several homes on our route. We walked under a bridge, pleasantly surprised to find one side covered with a lovely mural. A beautiful touch to a dull bridge. We enjoyed our walk, and even saw a hawk along the path. There were many cross country skiers and we passed one dog friend, who was also on leash. My favorite parts of the Rail Trail today was appreciating the change in seasons, watching Wilma enjoy the new environment, and the gorgeous sun streaming through the trees onto the snow. Wilma loved sniffing, exploring, and bounding through the snow. A simple Adventure but yet a perfect walk. So glad we could explore a portion of the Groton Rail Trail today (Rating 3.5).

Snowstorm – December 2020

This week we had our first big snowstorm of the year, receiving approximately one foot of snow in Massachusetts. Wilma and I love the snow, well except for the driving and shoveling part! Wilma was quite thrilled to see the snow celebrating with lots of running. She loved playing with her ball, and spent most of her time searching for the ball in the deep snow. Wilma also enjoyed her favorite activity, chasing the ball. It is always fun celebrating our first snow storm of the year, and likely far from the last. Here is just some of the fun, including some of naps in between.

Throwback Adventure

So for my Throwback Adventure today I am sharing my blog to the Rock of Ages Quarry in Graniteville, Vermont back in July 2019. This was an unusual location to be dog-friendly. Shadow and Wilma were allowed on the grounds, and to the Quarry. In addition Shadow and Wilma were allowed in the warehouse where granite materials were being created. So not only an amazing dog friendly location a special place for those lovers of geology. Besides the day being a little too hot for comfort, we really enjoyed our visit. Please click below for the link to this Adventure.

July 29, 2019 – Rock of Ages Quarry – Vermont

A quick snapshot of our Adventure to Fort Foster Park…see our blog for more!

Weekly Video/Photo

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

I woke up this morning remembering I had not created nor posted my “Weekly Video/Photo”. I was quite disappointed in myself as I am quite organized with these details. Although I always post this blog on a particular day it really does not have to be on a certain day, right?! 🙂 So….today’s photo is one of my favorite all time cards of Shadow and Buster. This day was the first time I did our Christmas card photographs on an Adventure and it was memorable! From tug-a-war with the Christmas hat to visitors walking by asking if they could take some photographs of the boys in their hats, to capturing a photograph of our favorite Florida beach. I went in to pick the photograph of them together and realized I had the front of the card saved in my photos so my lucky friends and followers get to see this perfect collage. I sure do miss my holiday boys!

December 12, 2020 – Bunker Hill – Massachusetts

Today Wilma and I Adventured to the Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Bunker Hill includes the Monument, the statue of Colonial William Prescott, the Museum (located across the street), and the Lodge. The Bunker Hill Monument was created to remember the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War. The Battle occurred on June 17, 1775 when the British defeated the Americans.

We had a dark Adventure to the Bunker Hill after a long walk at one of our favorite local parks. Upon arrival I immediately spotted lovely holiday wreaths adoring the lights around the park. We immediately headed up the hill to the Monument. There was an outer loop that we began trotting along, Wilma thrilled to spot numerous city squirrels. We took our time checking out the grounds and appreciating the moment. In between the neighborhood buildings we could spot views of the city, and bridges, hard to capture on camera but a beautiful perk to this simple park.

After trotting the outer grounds we made our way closer to check out the kiosks, the Colonial William Prescott Statue, and the architecture of the lodge. There was a Hanukkiah Menorah at the base of the Monument, and several benches to sit and enjoy the location. Bunker Hill is a very small but really was lovely. I can just imagine the view from the top of the Monument is beyond spectacular. So glad we could Adventure to Bunker Hill today (Rating: 3.5).