[Andrew]

We put in for today and tomorrow off this week to add to our memorial day weekend. We camped over the weekend, but I woke up with a craving to do a hike, if even a quick one. I tossed the idea out, and in like ten minutes we were up, packed and ready to go!





Walking out the door, I had to capture my morning hair in the reflection on my car. It gave me a chuckle.





I said hello to Marvin, the stray cat that seems to live in our barn. He is incredibly nice and well tempered. Just needs a bath and some flea meds. I'd take him in, but I already have three. Marvin rules, I'm glad he made it through the winter.





First things first. You can't have a day off, and not get brekky. I brought the Pawtuckaway map to look it over and decided where we wanted to go. We picked the "Woronoco" trail that has recently been created in the past couple years. I've never been on that one. The eggs and coffee where good too..





We had no drinks or food for the hike. It's only like three or four miles, but I like to be prepared. I ran into the cumby's up the road.





The camera stayed in the car with Bobelle. As you can see, she kept herself busy.





I came back with bounty! I bought two Gatorades and the woman said I got free chips with them because of some promotion. I was thrilled. The Sun Chips were not part of the promotion, but it looked like someone put the bag back on the shelves as they walked out. I grabbed them, looked at the woman behind the counter, and smiled... score!





I also bought a scratch ticket. It was a two-dollar ticket, and we won two dollars. I said to Bobelle that she should go back in and get another. She went, but she asked me not to take her picture. Sha.. right.. Like I had a choice when I saw her reaction to me holding up the camera!





Now that we had all the fluids and chips we needed, we headed up 101 to our exit.





Pawtuckway is in Nottingham, but the exit is in Raymond. We drove a bit, and followed the signs.





Ok, SNAFU number one... It was about 9:40am and the park opens at 10:00am... Crap...





We went for drive, looked at houses NO one can afford and went back to the gate at like 9:50am. I wanted a picture of the person opening the gates, but no such luck. Anyways, my heart began to race. I love this place, and for the first time this year... I was here! GOOD STUFF!!





I drove up to the gate, ready to pay for admittance. There was no one in the booth. Normally, I would have been thrilled to get it for free, but truthfully, I like to pay what I need to for these parks. It's like two bucks, for ALL the trails and wildlife. THAT is a good deal if you ask me! I stopped, hoping the person would pop up, but nope... went drove in.





At the bottom of the hill, there is a little lake. I always park next to it and think of it as the real "entrance" to the trails. Again, I'm freeking pumped about now.





We parked and looked at the trail map. Our goal was to do the Woronoco trail, but it's not a loop. So, we decided to walk up the road to the other side and come back to the car through the woods on the trail. It's a walk on the road for a bit over a mile, but still looked like a nice walk. You are HERE...





I got out of the car and put on my pack. Let me just tell you, the bugs where bad... really bad.. like hilariously bad. We both dowsed ourselves in "backwoods" bug spray and headed off.





Along the side of the road I saw some "lady slippers." I don't recall seeing them since I was a kid. It was kinda cool, I took a picture.





We walked for a little over a mile and came to the first intersection. This was where we needed to head into the woods.





I knew there was a causeway across a big marsh a few hundred feet up the road, so we kept going to see if we could catch any wildlife. Remember, we got into the park minutes after it opened, so I thought there might be some animals we could see. We walked up and saw the marsh. Awesome... just awesome..

[Andrew]

I noticed something moving in the road ahead of us. "It's a turtle, Niiice.. " I said as I sprinted up the road.





Turtles, like ninjas can blend into their environment. In case you missed it, I wanted to point it out.





Needless to say, all of our movement made it hide in it's shell. Once we stopped acting like a car full of city'ers stopping for a moose in the road, it came out and moved on.





We walked around a bit, and it quickly became obvious that turtles are everywhere. With the morning sun beating down, they where coming out to warm up. Turtles are cool as hell; don't let anyone tell you differently.





We took in as much of the marsh as we could and turned around. After about a tenth of a mile we came to our original goal, the trailhead.





The first part of the trail looked like a Jeep path, but we followed it none the less.





Now that we were in the woods and there was no breeze, it was time to ditch the sweater





The trail went on for about a third of a mile, then became a little more like I was hoping for. It ducked into the woods.





Alas! We found the trail we were going for. I mentioned this before, but I've never done this trail. I was very excited to see more of the park. I can't say it enough, I just love Pawtuckaway.





I know this trail is new, and I may not have been paying much attention before, but when did the white blazes become a piece of plastic nailed to a tree? Is it me, or does that take a little something away from the goal here? I can't see how someone thought that pounding spikes into a tree to hold up plastic markers was a good idea.





The trail was pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised. The terrain was fairly easy, but still felt rugged.





We saw a lot of little bridges and whatnot; it added a little bit of a "domesticated" feel to the trail. That was fine with me, I didn't think I was in the middle of the Arctic here.





Gee, I wonder why the bugs are soo bad? Perhaps because of all the muddy puddles everywhere. I'm not complaining, they added a wilderness feel.





It should be noted that this trail was just awesome. It was not a "drivable" path, or a beaten down road, it was a great rough trail.





Ok, here's the deal. I gave Bobelle the camera whenever she wanted it. But when she had it, she took pictures 180 degrees from all the shots I made. So, that said; here I am walking along the wall...





I'm a big geology buff. This trail was FULL of great Glacial Erratics.





Once again, whenever there was a stream to cross, or a muck-puddle, there was a new looking bridge or platform. If I recall, I began saying that I need to volunteer to the AMC to help build these. I use them enough...





We came to a little break in the trees and took a picture of the opening. At this point, we've been in the woods for about a mile and a half and I am REALLY starting to like this trail.





Uh oh .... flat tire, quick stop...





Forty five minutes or so into the trail, we could see an big opening in the trees beside us. After looking for ways to get to the edge of the clearing for a picture, we came upon a sign that looked promising...

[Andrew]

I have joked for years that there is one in every public place. Whether the bank or the supermarket or anywhere, there is ALWAYS at least on person on the freekin phone. We began to climb out to the overlook and the pack I was wearing began to vibrate... It was work related and had to be taken, but come on... Bobelle was "that guy"





While she talked I checked out a tree next to us that looked like it had been worked on by a Woodpecker for a while. Kinda cool ..





The phone call over (abruptly if I recall - with a "hey, I'm in the woods - goodbye" *click*) we climbed out and checked out the overlook... Unreal. I felt like I could sit there all day. Did I say Pawtuckaway rules??





I guess the brief rest at the overlook gave Bobelle a charge of energy because as we left and crossed the little bridge that was there in front of us, she felt the need to "Strike A Pose." Madonna would be proud.





The next half a mile or so had some nice terrain and raised platforms.





We came across an incredible Glacial Erratic and I wanted a picture of me next to it. I gave the camera to Bobelle, and of course she put her own little 180-degree spin on it... Ha!





More raised platforms as we crossed a boggy area.





After almost two hours, we reached the end of the trail. Both of us wanted it to go on further, but it was enough to get our blood going and give a really GREAT experience hiking.




With a sigh, we got in the car and headed out...




Wed drove through Nottingham, and Raymond and got on 101 east.



There was one more thing to take care of. It was of course my day off. Now that the hike was out of the way, it was time to have a fruity drink and set up the back porch. One problem, I got nuttin for fruity drinks... I can fix that!



Mission accomplished!




What a great morning, I wish you all could have been were there with us. It was not very challenging, or long, but what an AWESOME trail Worocono is. I think we are doing it again tomorrow (5/30) if anyone has the day off and wants to get a quick hike in.

[Andrew]

Just got back from day two. Still a great hike. I recommend it to anyone living in Southern NH or North-East MA thats wants to get out and not have to drive to the whites to do it.

gnarly

[EngineCo.2]

Nice report ! I really dug the pics! Your jaunt in the woods helps make up for the Mardi Gras up north , no? .....And to tell you the truth, I don't think I've ever been angry at any turtle I've met. Even the rowdy ones.
Ed