Hikes, Tips, & More
Silhouette Mindset — Winter Tree Week
"No one can walk in a road cut through pine woods without being struck by the architectural appearance of the grove, especially in winter when the bareness of the trees shows the low arch of the Saxons. In the woods on a winter's afternoon one will see as readily the...
Go For A Sky Swim — Winter Tree Week
When you were a kid maybe you passed a summer afternoon laying on your back, without a care in the world, finding shapes in the clouds. For most of us, we can't remember the last time we slowed down enough to do this (or if we could let our imaginations still "find"...
Branches, Buds, & Bark — Winter Tree Week
Being able to identify common trees is not only fun, it also helps to connect us to our surroundings and communities. But what do you do in the winter when there are no leaves present? You learn to identify trees by the 3 B's — Branches, Buds, & Bark.BRANCHES A...
Let’s Go Burl-lunking! — Winter Tree Week
Tree Warts, as my 7-year old calls them, are actually burls. And what exactly is a burl, you ask? A burl is a gnarly-looking, extraneous growth found on a tree. Scientists are still not sure what causes these bulges to occur, but have theorized that a burl may be made...
Conifer Confusion — Winter Tree Week
Spruce, Pine, or Fir? Not gonna lie, for the longest time I called all evergreens pine trees. Conifers solely existed in Christmas tree world, and countless holidays went by without realizing that the oh, Tannenbaum I was trimming was actually a fir — tannenbaum...
Trekollections 2022
“The year is done. I spread the past three hundred sixty-five days before me on the living room carpet…I fold the good days up and place them in my back pocket for safekeeping. Draw the match. Cremate the unnecessary. The light of the fire warms my toes. I pour myself...
Wolf Trees on a Wolf Moon – Road’s End Wildlife Sanctuary
Where We Went: Mass Audubon Road's End Wildlife Sanctuary / Worthington When We Went: January 10th, 2020 Difficulty/Boots 1-10: 2 Boots Trail Length: 1 mile How Long it Took Us: 2.5 Hours Overview : January 10th - it's 5p.m. and the moon is full. We spent...
12 Winter Hikes for Families
Winter is a wonderful time of year to hike. Blankets of snow and the crisp, cold air bring a fresh perspective to many of our favorite, familiar places. Views are clearer and unobstructed, bugs are a non-issue, and animal tracks turn us all into snow detectives. Check out some of our favorite spots for Winter family hiking. Pile on the layers and get out there already! Be sure to have the cocoa ready for your return…
Kid-Tinted Glasses — The Bidwell House Museum & Trails
Re-framing the outdoors through kid-tinted glasses.
DIY Oak Leaf & Acorn Ornament
Craft along and create a super cute oak leaf & acorn ornament! We use two different felting techniques to make these easy ornaments, perfect for gifting or your own tree! Oak Leaf & Acorn Ornament Materials Crock pot filled 1/4 way full of water &...
7 Winter Solstice Rituals (+ Free Printable)
Creating your own meaningful traditions and celebrations of Winter solstice helps us cultivate deeper connections — connections to nature, to family and friends, to all the things that matter most to us. It becomes a time to feed our spirits and nurture our souls, a much needed break from the frantic preparations we take on during this time of year.
9 Post-Turkey Trails & Fresh Air Friday Hikes
Looking for a place to take a post-turkey stroll? Want to dodge the Black Friday crowds & celebrate Fresh Air Friday instead?
Check out these 9 Berkshire County locations perfect for an after-dinner walk or a needed break from the holiday crush.
Thank You Walk & Gratitude Tree Activity
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the habit of gratitude, fostering within them with the ability to raise forth positive emotions in their own lives.
Practicing gratitude as a family not only instills children with a lifelong ability to evoke positive emotions, but it also builds deeper family bonds. We build family connections through hiking, but one of my favorite ways to teach gratitude along the way is by taking a gratitude walk.
6 Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in the Berkshires
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to pay tribute and celebrate the rich ancestry, history, and traditions of the first people on this soil. Through dance, family traditions, and music, we can learn the diverse stories and long history of Indigenous...