A very short walk from our neighborhood are the Phillips Exeter Academy Trails, 140 acres of woods along the Exeter River. It’s a haven for dogs and their owners, cross country skiers, bicyclers, joggers, hikers, Exeter Academy sports teams, and for strollers like us.
Tranquility of nature abounds. Trails are wide and picturesque with hemlock and pines beckoning us along.
Most of the trails were well maintained, either covered with thick leaf litter or wood chips over muddy spots. Several well-shaded areas were still covered in icy snow, packed well from cross country skiers earlier in the season.
It was fun to see the newly emerging plant life along the way, some of the familiar flora we left behind in Virginia.
We saw evidence of fauna along the way too.
Numerous bogs were alive with the chorus of wood frogs… that were quickly silent on our approach.
Our only misadventure was not knowing exactly where we were two miles back in the woods. There are numerous side trails and Y’s along the way that were not on the map. Should we go this way or that way?
Thank goodness we were saved by the Phillips Exeter Academy track team who pointed us the way out.
We have since downloaded the app Map My Walk, an amazing GPS pedometer that tracks our route, pace, calories, distance, and time. We’ll never be lost again!
Your forests are incredibly beautiful! I guess Spring is finally there. I loved every photo and story that went with it. Great idea to get “Map My Walk”. It sounds like a wonderful app.
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I hope spring has sprung! Temperatures may be in the low 30’s overnight in two days.
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Richmond temps were in the upper 80s today, so we trekked outdoors only to cut the water on in the flower beds.
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Now those temps are too hot for April….
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Wonderful to see our old stomping grounds seen through fresh eyes!
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I love Maine, too….. and your chosen spot must be pretty awesome to lure you away from Exeter!
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