Trail Crawl 2025 – A Neighborhood Hike

TRAIL CRAWL NO. 22 – April 5, 2025

Frank, Kersten, Susan C, Megan, and Tony at Japan

First stop, Japan, a.k.a. Tami and Arlo’s house by the pond. Arlo, Kristen, and Tami put out sandwiches and deviled eggs, and Kersten brought a plate of coconut almond macaroons. Great way to fuel up for a woodsy hike!

Tami’s mom, Anne, Tami, Arlo, and Kristen sitting on the back deck with Anne’s sister, Joyce, Tami’s brother, Michael, and George’s family standing behind them.

As Tony, Susan, Megan and I were walking down to Japan from Susan and Tony’s house (Inkberry Hill Farm), we were passed by a car peopled by men in dark suits. Our first thought was, Mormons? but it turned out a pre-party party was already going on at Japan.

Tami’s mother’s partner, George, passed a few weeks ago, and his and Anne’s families would soon be elebrating his life at The Plant. I had a whale of a good time yakking at a whole new group of people who hadn’t already heard my stories. Kudos to Tami, Arlo, and Kristen for making both parties happen!

Irises putting on a show at Lyle and Carrie’s Delphi

Per Carrie’s request, we stopped at Delphi to see the gardens.

Under the cedars: Frank, David, Megan, Susan H, Susan C, Kersten, Carrie, and Tony

Kersten and I have grown close from years of weekly walks and hikes.

Tony led the way from Delphi to Inkberry Hill via new trails he and Susan made in the ten months since they moved into our neighborhood.

Tami’s father, Ed, and his little dog, Sammy

The trails lead to the green burial ground at The Sanctuary of the Burrow, were many of our beloveds rest and where Bob and I will ultimately spend our last days in earth.

David and Tony leaving Inkberry Hill Farm

Susan and Tony put out deviled eggs, pineapple, watermelon, and cheese and crackers. The temperature was pushing up towards eighty, so the watermelon was just what we all needed. Tony and Susan had new windows installed last weekend and I think Susan picked the perfect color blue to set off their yellow house.

Megan, Susan C, Susan H, Frank, Kersten, and Lyle hoofing it through the crunchy, yellow leaves

When we were sated, we took off down the Elephant Trail.

Susan laughs, holding on to what she deemed, “The resting tree”

Turning right before reaching Stinking Creek, we hiked up and over The Beeches trail. I’m not gonna lie, I was often short-winded. Every time I stopped to take a photo, I had to run to catch up. Also, I’m seventy and it was hot.

Cookie takes a break beside a beautiful beech (not Carl)

At the top of the hill stands a group of mature beeches, hence the trail’s name. Thank you, David, for taking my picture.

Another right and now we’re on the Northwest Passage, heading south towards our place. Our crawlers had stopped to discuss some point of interest, but by the time I caught up they had moved on. Eleagnus is my best guess, as eradicating it and other invasives is top of mind for all of us.