Wednesday, 6 February 2019, Callahan State Park winter hike
Hike Leaders: Margie & Tony Lee
4 miles, 10:00 am start from Edmands Road, Framingham, MA
Hikers (19): Margie, Tony, Bob Cheney, David Wean, Don Mannes , Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Joan Laxson, Judith McMichael, Marie Keutmann, Patrick Ward, Rich Taylor, Rick Carlson, Rochelle Holman, Ron Beland, Russ Keene, Susan Sabin, and Tom Amiro
In preparation for the hike, Rick Carlson helped with reconnaissance on Tuesday. Despite two warm days, there were sheets of ice and slippery conditions. The north side of the park was no better. We notified Helen and she sent a reminder to everyone to bring microspikes and, if available, hiking poles. People were well equipped except for one hiker who, relying on a backup pair, dropped a traction device near the start. He turned around to search for it and then aborted his hike after fifteen minutes.
The rest of us carried on, walking across sheer sections of ice, crossing two streams and a couple of bridges. Despite temperatures only in the high 30s, the warm sunshine was a great backdrop for a fun and social outing. It was a taste, or a tease, of spring, as we emerged from the woods into thawed and sunny areas. I could almost hear a silent but collective “ahhhhh.”
One of the hikers had a problem with the traction devices hooking together, resulting in a couple of falls, fortunately without injury. Overall, it was great to get out for two hours, and four miles, of social hiking.
Most of us went on to Oak Barrel Tavern in Sudbury for some suds and good grub, where David Wean discovered his talent for the fine art of standing an ale glass on the edge of its bottom rim. Several of us perfected the skill and impressed our waitress (‘tho most likely the tip impressed her more).
Report by Margie Lee.
Hike/lunch photos courtesy of Don Mannes.
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