What we’re about
This is a hiking group for people who, like me, take life at a slow and steady pace. I love the outdoors, travel and hiking. Like the tortoise, I keep a steady pace and always get there in the end. Hikes will be mostly medium-length ( 2 - 6 miles) with elevation gains of under 1500 feet and a pace of book time +50%. Older people who have slowed down, younger folks who are just starting out, people who are overweight and want to get moving, people who are recovering from an injury, people who occasionally like to stop and take pictures or smell the roses...anyone who wants to take things at a slower pace. Hikes and other events take place all year round and in various locations!
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Early Morning stroll around Gates Pond in Berlin, MA - Saturday June 21 @ 9 AMTaylor Road, Berlin, MA
This is a fun place to get out and walk in the morning. We will get an early start on Saturday before things warm up.
Gates Pond, located at the end of Taylor Road in Berlin Massachusetts, is an easy 2 mile loop around Hudson’s water reservoir. This is a popular place for locals to walk, bike, run, and fish year round often with dogs or children in tow. There is a dirt road that circles the pond that is plowed in the winter, muddy in the spring, and shaded by tall pines in the summer.
As for wildlife, there are some migratory birds that use Gates as a resting spot during their travels. It’s not uncommon to see Canadian Geese, ducks, blue herons, and such enjoying the pond.
Meet at the parking lot at the end of Taylor Road at 9 AM
Note: You can do one or two loops depending on your energy level. The 2 hour time window represents one to 1 1/2 loops
Remember the rules
Feel free to bring a friend, but make sure they first join the group and sign up for the event. Please be on time so that everyone is ready to leave from the parking lot at 9 AM.
If you sign up for an event but will not be attending, change your response ASAP so that others can attend and we are not waiting for you.
Check Meetup for cancellations and changes in meeting times and locations before each event.
You are all adults and are expected to make decisions about your own safety and physical abilities.
Wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water. Move to the side for oncoming walkers on narrow trails.
If you decide to return to your car early or leave the group for any other reason, tell someone.
If you are struggling or need assistance, tell someone.
Be friendly. Be social. Have fun.
Extreme weather will cancel this event.
Safety Disclaimer
In registering for this event, you assume all risks when participating, certify that you are physically fit to participate, and have not been advised otherwise by a qualified medical person. All participants must use care and good judgment, and must obey all instructions, rules, and regulations of the venue and local authorities.
Liability Waiver
As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com(http://www.hikesafe.com/); the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you for yourself, your heirs, executors, and administrators release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons. - Announcement - Weekend in the BerkshiresTanglewood, Lenox, MA
NEW! Ticket sales for Jacob’s Pillow are open. I am in Level 4 - Orc Rear Seat Location: Row V Seat 5. This is considered an “accessible seat” which I can use because I use a walking stick for balance. Another member has purchased the “companion seat.” From experience, the seats in the mezzanine have better sight-lines than the orchestra. (They’re cheaper, too.) Link is below!
Once you are committed to going (you’ve reserved accommodation, bought a ticket, etc) let me know and I will move you off the waiting list.
There has been a lot of interest in this weekend! The AirBnB where I am staying (25 Houstonic St in Lee) appears to be full, but if you click HERE you will see that there are still many places on AirBnB available nearby. This is high season in the Berkshires, so rooms go quickly and are at a premium.
There are also several hotels/motels in the area. And October Mountain State Forest is only a 10 minute drive from Tanglewood. Click HERE to reserve a campsite or yurt. (Heads up - the yurts are NOT in great shape!)
If you would like to arrange car-pooling or share a room or campsite, I suggest you comment here with your contact information and what you are looking for, and then communicate with each other off of MeetUp.
Once we are closer to the time and people have firm plans, I will get everyone's contact info and make a shared doc for phone numbers, where everyone is staying and updated itinerary.
This is an announcement for people who like to plan ahead!
Every summer, I spend a weekend in the Berkshires to soak up music and dance and do some hiking, kayaking or museum-visiting. This year, I will be there from Friday, August 8 - Sunday August 10. I am staying at an AirBnB in Lee. There are many places to stay - some simple, some luxurious. There is also camping at October Mountain State Forest, which has flush toilets and showers. Accommodations tend to fill up during the summer (even the campground) so I wanted to put this out now.
My tentative itinerary!
8/8: Friday Eve - Concert at Tanglewood.
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin
LALO Symphonie espagnole
DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9, From the New World8/9: Saturday afternoon
Either a hike, or kayaking, depending on the heat.
Rainy day plans: Maybe the Edna St Vincent Millay or Norman Rockwell Museum
Saturday evening:
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company Dance Company at Jacob's Pillow.8/10: Sunday afternoon
Brunch and afternoon concert at Tanglewood
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Samy Rachid, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Camille PÉPIN Un Monde nouveau (American premiere)
SAINT-SAËNS Cello Concerto No. 1
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3, ScottishFor Tanglewood, I always sit on the lawn and buy tickets at the gate. I arrive a couple of hours early and bring my picnic (with wine!) and a lawn chair and blanket. If the weather is really awful, I get a seat in the shed.
Tickets for Jacob's Pillow will go on sale to the general public April 10. They are not cheap, but this is truly world-class dance and I have never been disappointed.
No need to RSVP right now - as I said, this is just an announcement, in case you want to plan ahead. Feel free to drop me a note with any questions.
CROSS-POSTED WITH CULTURE VULTURES.
