Recovering from Road Trips

April 23 - Rail Trails in Connecticut and Central Massachusetts

As much as I love the open road and exploring the countryside the forced inactivity of the road takes a toll after a few weeks out.  In addition to keeping active at break stops along the way, use of exercise facilities when the places we stay have them, the best experiences are often hikes and bicycle rides. We don't usually travel with our bicycles, so often our recreation of choice is walking.

Hiking the sand along Myrtle Beach

Since returning from our latest Mid Atlantic States trip, where we took long walks along Myrtle Beach (above) and in Municipal parks like the North Myrtle Beach Sport Park, we have continued hiking at home.

This icy scene is Judd Brook along the Airline Trail in Amston, CT in late March before we left for South Carolina. As pretty as the scene was, and as magical as the rushing stream, you see why we fled south.

This is what the Airline Trail  before Judd Brook looks like now with the leaves still a week away from awakening.  The Airline trail section we frequent is about twenty miles long and part of a much longer project that will ultimately traverse Connecticut from the southwest to northeast corners.

Another great place to ride is the Mass Central Rail Trail. Above Jay poses with his new bike along the Norwottuck Branch of the Mass Central Rail Trail that runs through Northampton, MA. The ride is a bit more urban that our's in eastern CT, but still lots of fun.  Along the way is a cool snack bar and arcade called Quarters that is adjacent to the trail. The word is that the food is good, cheap, and the arcade fun.  We were in mid trip so we stopped only for a couple pictures.

 One of the great views along this trail is the bridge over the broad Connecticut River.

David crossing the CT River

Of course no blog of mine wouldn't be complete without a discussion of food.  Gloria, Jay and I celebrated our trip with a visit to Websters Fish Hook, a little cafeteria style restaurant just across the road from the parking lot.  The food was very good, especially the fish dishes and salad bar, and reasonably priced. There is lots of great food in the Northampton area, and lots of fussy diners, so don't let mediocre ratings online discourage you from places like this. Later in the season we will visit the adjacent stores including an ice cream shop and a plant nursery that has some of the best early tomato plants in the region.

There are miles of rail trails in this part of the country, and walking, biking or horseback riding they are great fun.  Check them out if you are coming to the area.

I'm off to tend the garden. Maybe I'll see you along one of the trails.