For Prospective Members of Women Outdoors
Western Massachusetts
Welcome! Please CONTACT US with any questions about events.
Tusi and Nira
Nira at niraharper@gmail.com & Tusi at ritachild@hotmail.com
Western Massachusetts
July through September 2018
Please note that all Women Outdoors trips are cooperative trips led by volunteers. While members are concerned for safety, our experience levels differ and mistakes may be made. There may also be equipment failure, unexpected dangers, or conditions beyond our control (such as weather). There is also an inherent level of risk in many of the activities that cannot be eliminated. Women Outdoors and its coordinators don’t train, screen or certify any of the leaders or supervise the trips. All trips are offered in the common adventurer spirit – where each participant is responsible for her own skills level and safety. Please be sure to verify all of the information above as well as the organizer’s experience and trip plans to your own satisfaction so you can make an informed decision about whether the trip is right and safe for you. Remember that in choosing to participate you are agreeing to assume responsibility for all risks associated with the activity. Women Outdoors trips have an excellent safety record. We ask that you take care to keep it this way!
Wednesday Hikes or Paddles— Every Wednesday around 1:00 p.m. Details will be on the listserve.
Tues – Wed, July 3-4. Camping and/or Day at D.A.R. Campsite available for overnight, or meet on July 4 for a D.A.R. day to include a potluck, kayaking and swimming.
Tues. July 10. Bike Ride & Swim. Meet at 4pm to ride a gentle rolling hilly 12 miles and end at Puffer’s Pond for a swim.
Fri. July 13. Kayak CT River. We will meet at 5:30 in Sunderland to paddle upstream for an hour or so and turn around when everyone is ready.
Sat. July 21. Kayak in Becket. We’ll kayak in the afternoon and have a campfire and cookout in the evening. Optional camping.
Sun. July 22. Chesterfield Gorge Bike to Swim. Start at 10:30 to bike with hybrid or mountain bikes to a great swimming hole on the river.
Mon. July 23. Beach Day in CT. Leave Northampton at 9am, and spend the afternoon at Hammonassett State Park beach. There are a few bike trails for those who wish to bring bikes as well as swim. Bring your own lunch. I propose having dinner before driving home, and we will be able to avoid rush hour traffic. Perhaps at Rocky's Aqua Restaurant, or another place if folks know of something good. Arrive back home by 8:30 - 9 PM. Hammonassett Park still has some camp sites available if folks would like to add a separate camping experience.
Sat. July 28. Barton’s Cove Kayak. Kayak from above the French King Bridge into Barton’s Cove. Kayak rentals available.
Sun. July 29. Hike at Rice Nature Preserve. A beautiful hike in Wilbraham. Sometimes there’s a little mud in places. Wear hiking boots & bring bug spray, water and a snack. Meet at 10am at Rice or 9:30 at my house to carpool there.
Thurs. Aug. 2. Jacob's Pillow Free Inside/Out Performance. Let's have a picnic dinner at Jacob's Pillow in Beckett and see the free Inside/Out performance of the Boston Dance Theater, in a contemporary dance performance. See Jacob's Pillow website for more details and we will discuss traveling options later.
Sat. Aug. 4. Bike Easthampton Back Roads. Starting downtown we'll bike to the end of the bike path in Southampton, then get on some regular roads. There will be some fairly hilly roads included. Time tbd but probably early in the day.
Sun. Aug 5. Pisgah State Park NH Hike & Swim. Depending on who comes, we will either do a short or long hike, but either way opportunities for swimming – water ballet will abound. We will arrange carpools to the Kilburn Pond Trailhead.
Sun. Aug. 12. Williamstown Cultural Triathlon. Join us for a daylong 10am – 5pm adventure involving Mass MOCA, a short hike, a bike ride, and eating out. We’ll carpool from JFK School in Northampton.
Sat. Aug. 18. Kayak Swift River. We’ll meet at 10am in Belchertown to kayak this calm, clear river.
Sun. Aug. 19. Bike Ride in Deerfield. This will be a fun, leisurely ride of 15-25 miles, starting at 10am.
Sun. Aug. 26. Bike Ride. We’ll do around 18-20 miles, location tbd.
Mon. Aug. 27. Bike & Swim. Meet at 5pm at Cushman Market in North Amherst. Bike to Leverett, about 15 miles round trip with hills. We’ll end with a swim at Puffer’s Pond. Bring a picnic for the pond – you can bring an insulated cooler to leave in the car or buy food at Cushman Market.
Sun. Sept. 2. Tully Lake Adventure. Come to Tully Lake in Royalston to kayak & play all day and have a campfire in the evening. Campsite #28.
Sun. Sept. 9. Local Hike tbd. Join Lola and Noor for an intermediate local hike. More details to be announced.
Sat. Sept. 15. Bald Mountain Hike, Peterboro NH. We’ll take a day trip to Peterboro to hike a lovely mountain and possibly take a dip in the kettle pond. The hike is about 2.5 to 3 hours, with stops, moderate hiking. The view is lovely. Here’s some info: http://www.nhfamilyhikes.com/hikes.php?hike=Bald%20Mountain. We can then go in to Peterboro for eating & cruising the shops. Carpool from Northampton.
Sun. Sept. 16. Book Group & Potluck. Details to be announced over the listserve.
Sun. Sept. 23. Potluck & Planning the Fall Calendar. Gather at 11:00 outside for socializing & potluck, followed by planning the fall events. Bring a chair, your calendar, and ideas for activities.
Fri – Sun, Sept. 28 – 30. Women Outdoors National Gathering. The Gathering is moving to Becket, our neighborhood, this year, with a great diversity of outdoor and indoor activities. To register or for more info, go to womenoutdoors.org and click on The Gathering.
Sun. Sept. 30. Bike 4 Food. Several WO women are biking 25-50 miles to raise funds for the Food Bank of Western MA. If you’d like to join us on the ride, or contribute, or just get more info, go to https://www.pledgereg.com/2689/Team/7620