The Sweetest Reasons

37/Field Guide

Trustees of the Reservations: Hamlin Reservation, Ipswich, MA. February 13, 2012. Afternoon.

I spotted this trail coming back from Crane's Beach. Did a little research and headed back out that way a few weeks later to walk to the trail. It's a short loop, and perfect for two small ones walking. A meadow leads to a causeway which takes you to a small island-hill surrounded by marsh. Folks seem to have fun building with all the brush on the island. We found a teepee and giant man-made bird's nest. On our way out, we had a little too much fun playing with cattail fluff.

It was a beautiful day, and a very manageable walk for an adult with two kids.

Field Guide

Trustee's of the Reservations: Crane's Beach, Ipswich, MA. January 31, 2012. Late afternoon.

In the fifties, no wind, on one of the most beautiful beaches in Massachusetts. With my family. Absolutely perfect.

With great fortune, it seems, we met a lovely woman riding her horse in the ocean that afternoon. It was just so gorgeous to see and photograph.

I can't wait to spend my summers here.

Field Guide

Hampton, NH, skatepark & Hampton Beach, NH. January 1, 2012. Midday and early afternoon.

Too wet to really skate, so we packed up and moved on to . . .

The always magical Hampton Beach. Hampton Beach, a place that I have connected with creatively since grad school. It didn't disappoint.

Her face says it all. Today was the best day.

Field Guide

Massachusetts Audubon Society Ipswish River Wildlife Sanctuary; Topsfield. Rockery Pond Trail. December 22, 2011. 3:30 PM.

Absolutely the most beautiful place. We took a very short trail but it was full of bridges, bogs, ponds, caves, marshes and more. We saw six deer, many birds, red squirrels, and mallards. We will bring seed next time too. You can feed birds right our of your hand. In fact, Bea was the only one who successfully fed a bird, but it scared her, so she quickly stopped feeding them.

The amount of trails and parks up here is mind-boggling. I want to keep track of things here, so I can reference places we've seen and places we want to go back to. I have a feeling with will be here often. We hardly scratched the surface.