Posted By auntie on December 17, 2018

Part the second of my annual Best of list!

#5—Bafflin Sanctuary

Monarch Caterpillar

My intrepid and amazing friends Bob and Mel, who were the adventurers who joined me on the Warner Trail, live pretty far away (to a Rhode Islander’s way of thinking) in central Connecticut, so I decided for once to come to their neck of the woods to visit another of the longtime entries on my “Hikes I’d Like to Do” list, Audubon’s Bafflin Sanctuary. This really was an amazing spot, with so many different wildflowers and so many varied and diverse trails. We had a great time trying to i.d. plants. We even saw a great blue heron who had decided walking the trails was easier than flying. It was a great hike on a beautiful property.

#4—Millville Lock to Blackstone Gorge

Triad Bridges

I am a Valley Girl at heart, and by that I mean a BLACKSTONE Valley Girl. I grew up in the area of the Blackstone River, as did my parents. My dad even used to tell stories of swimming in the river when he was a little boy and coming out with multicolored legs because of all the textile mills along the river dumping their waste. I helped with the initial clean-up of the river during the first Earth Day in 1970, and the Blackstone Canal even became the subject of a college photography project, all long before I became a hiker. That’s why, when I met some friends for another short hike in the area, I added this extra bit along the Blackstone River Greenway. I was joined by some of the previous group, and we visited the Millville Lock, the Triad Bridges, and the Gorge.

#3—26th Annual N-S Trail Trek, Leg 3

Moosup River in Nicholas Farm Management Area

I think I included this hike, and in such a prestigious place (number 3!), mainly because I was so proud of having hiked almost 17 miles. Seriously. But it’s also a section of the RI North-South Trail that takes in probably some of the most beautiful scenery on its entire 78-mile length, including the Ben Utter Trail, Stepstone Falls, the Sand Hill Trail, and Spencer Rock on the Moosup River. It’s just a loooonnngg walk.

#2—Florida Trail, Cathedral of Palms & Shepherd Spring

Cathedral of Palms

Okay, so this one is kind of cheating. The hubs and I escaped the bulk of New England’s winter last year by spending January and February on the Florida Panhandle, and I did a bit of hiking in the area. Now you know I love me some long trails, and the Florida Trail is 1300 miles long, running from Pensacola on the Panhandle to just past Naples on the west coast. I have now hiked oh, maybe 20 miles worth. It’s a really fun experience. This small section was no exception, what with giant palm groves and massive springs.

And now, the entry you’ve all been waiting for, drumroll please… my favorite “hike” of 2018!

#1—PCHC Providence Historical Walk

Turk’s Head Building

This was more of a walk than a hike, and was co-sponsored by the Providence County Hiking Club and the Blackstone Valley (there it is again!) Heritage Corridor, and was led by Ernie Germani of Trails and Walks in RI fame. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history along the route we walked and the sights we saw, and at the end, he even treated everyone to that perennial Rhode Island favorite (no, not coffee milk! no! not Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee!) Del’s Lemonade. Keep an eye on both the PCHC and the BVHC websites in case this ever gets offered again. It’s loads of fun!

And so concludes my “Best of.”

However, I’ve had a suggestion from a faithful blog reader: “What about a Top Ten Turkey Hikes of 2018?” which I think is downright brilliant. Although I don’t think I could come up with ten… I mean, generally speaking, any day in the woods is a good day. But there are always exceptions! So yes, stay tuned to this very blog and watch for my “Auntie’s Top Five Turkey Hikes of 2018.” (Thanks, Bob!)

Categories: Connecticut, Florida, Rhode Island, Walks and Hikes
Tags: CT, FL, RI