A Hike in The Fells

I enjoy Fall in New England as much as the next girl (who doesn't like apples, cider, and pumpkins?), but Summer is my one true love.   This Saturday, after weeks of chilly air and rain, we had a perfect Indian Summer day, and my heart swelled with happiness. Days that perfect require going outside and getting some fresh air, so we went for a hike in The Fells. It was the best of both worlds, really -- warmth and sunshine along with striking fall colors in the trees and dried leaves like confetti crunching underfoot.

The Fells encompasses 2,500 acres of natural, wooded reservation land outside of Boston full of hiking and mountain biking trails. So far, the Long Pond Trail is my favorite, but we didn't feel like driving over to Winchester, so Saturday we took the Cross Fells Trail with an entrance right down the street from our house in West Medford. 

Both trails are pretty easy hikes with some lovely scenery. If you ever want a nice picnic spot, pack up your picnic basket and head down the Long Pond Trail, where you can find a place to spread out a blanket in the shade with a view of the water.

New England can be a really wonderful place to live. Alas, the vibrant leaves are starting to fade and to fall to the forest floor, but I'll enjoy it as long as I can and stubbornly put off the realization that winter is around the corner.  When the bitter cold and snow arrives, it'll be time to hibernate. And time to drink lots of hot chocolate.