Eighth and final day as a CFPA Volunteer Ridgerunner at Penwood State Forest.

This is the end of the season for the program, and I spent my three-hour shift hiking the northern portion of the park early and the last hour in the parking area saying "goodbye" to visitors.  

I have really enjoyed my time as a Ridgerunner in Penwood.  I have engaged in conversations with 304 visitors and the largest benefit to me has been the happiness and smiles that are shared between  the visitors and the Ridgerunner.

I am hopeful that I've added to many positive experiences, with directional assistance, compliments, and an overall happy attitude.

In return, I received many "Thank You for being here" with a sincere look of gratitude from many.  I feel very certain that being available in the park as a CFPA Ridgerunner was really positive and helpful for CFPA as well as the visitors.  The volunteer shirt, and CFPA hat I purchased to wear as well seemed to make a difference, as the overall attitude of those I met was overwhelmingly positive towards CFPA and the Ridgerunner Program.

My totals for eight days of Ridgerunning in Penwood (July 13, July 20, August 3, August 10, August 24, September 1, September 6 and September 28, 2014) are as follows:

• Total number of observed visitors during my eight shifts is 368 individuals.

• I engaged conversation with 304 of them.    

A second day wandering and looking for a distinct source of the Cold River with Tippi.

Today I began scouting for the source of the Cold River.  I had Tippi with me for company, and we explored for signs of flowing water today.

The project is part of my naturalists studies.

Today I organized a trip to Mohawk Trail State Forest for an Educational Workshop with old growth forest expert Bob L.  The learning involved would be a great addition to my naturalists studies.

Ten of us were blessed with the teachings of Bob L today.  We covered the following topics:

• After a brief introductions, we discussed that cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and grey birch (Betula populifolia) are often located along rivers and streams.

• The major water points of reference to Mohawk Trail State Forest are the Cold River and the Deerfield River.

• We touched upon the Northern Hardwood Hemlock Associated Environment.

• We were encouraged to guess the height of a White Pine (Pinus strobus) at the edge of the campground leach field;  none of the "students" were close (actual 146') due to not having anything to scale or reference to the tree.

Leach Field White Pine

Some of the specific points of interest we included today were:

• Visited the Pocumtuck Pines;

• Introduced to the Cherokee-Choctaw Grove;

• Learned of Bob L's first experience sensing "Indian Time";

• Learned of Dr. Lynn Rogers and his Black Bears;

• Had a close-up encounter with the Chief Jake Swamp Pine (the tallest tree in New England);

• We Visited the National Champion Sugar Maple;

• And finally, we ended the day observing a section of old growth forest complete with boulder field and extremely large grape vine.

The following are some bark identification guidelines we worked through today...

Red Maple (Acer Rubrum) / Swamp Maple close-up

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) close-up

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)

Bob L with Black Birch (Betula lenta)

Old Grape Vine

Red Maple (Acer rubrum), older bark similar to Shagbark Hickory

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) for comparison to old Red Maple bark

Chief Jake Swamp (172.5') "Tallest Tree in New England"
White Pine (Pinus strobus)

Bob L at the base of the Chief Jake Swamp

JH gazing up at Jake's Crown

Chief Jake Swamp

Chief Jake Swamp

Champion Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), with beautiful old stone wall

Our Group with the Jake Swamp Pine

This was our first trip and learning encounter with Bob L.  My friend Tim Z also lent support as a representative of DCR.  Both provided incredibly valuable information concerning Mohawk Trail State Forest in particular, and our New England Forest in general.

We all gained a wealth of knowledge, and were able to share the experience with friends, old and new.  I am thankful for this adventure!

Dunbar - Whitcomb - Jambs Marathon
September 7th, 2014
Monroe, Florida, Savoy & Windsor, Massachusetts

Dunbar - Whitcomb - Jambs Marathon for Wuzzam and I.

Wuzzam and I conquered Dunbar-Whitcomb-Jambs in 6:21:34.  This expanded from an old run the Bandit and I did on a few occasions, from Whitcomb Summit to Windsor Jambs.

This time, we began at Dunbar Brook in Monroe State Forest, and ventured out a new snowmobile trail to the windmills to Whitcomb Summit, over Crum Hill, over Flat Rock Hill and the old Viewing Platform for the Hoosac Tunnel, crossed the Cold River on an obscure grown in path, past Savoy Mountain State Forest at North Pond, past Bog Pond, over Lewis Hill and Borden Mountain, through Windsor Bush into Windsor State Forest and the Jambs.

Outstanding day with outstanding sunny weather.  This was my 54th completed marathon. 

 Unfortunate Windmill site.

The Elk Monument at Whitcomb Summitt.

Viewing Platform for the Hoosac Tunnel construction.

View from Flat Rock Hill with Greylock in view.

 

Crossing of the Cold River.

Stone Carving on rock, obscure path.

Bog Pond.

The Dunham Lot, off Tannery Road.

We are getting close!

The Jambs!

Dwarf Forest and the softest ground-cover imaginable.

Seventh day as a CFPA Volunteer Ridgerunner at Penwood State Forest.

Sixth day as a CFPA Volunteer Ridgerunner at Penwood State Forest.