Welcome!  Please CONTACT US with any questions about events.

Tusi and Nira

Nira at niraharper@gmail.com   &    Tusi at ritachild@hotmail.com

April, May & June 2022

Wednesday Hikes. Nira and Noor will lead Wednesday hikes or walks, usually at 1:00 or 1:30 pm.  Details will be posted over the listserv.

 Sat. April 2. Hike to the Notch Visitor Center from Harris Mountain Road. This is a moderate / strenuous hike 5 mile hike, not quite the Seven Sisters but many ups and downs. We'll be following the M&M Trail which overlaps with the Robert Frost Trail for several miles. This is a one-way hike so we will need to shuttle cars. Let's meet at the Notch Visitor Center at 9:30 for a short ride to Harris Mountain where we will start. The hike will likely be 3 to 3.5 hours depending on stops. Please let me know if you'd like to join us. 

Sun. April 3. Bike Sunderland to Turner’s.  Meet ready to ride at 12:00 noon for a scenic, moderate 18 mile bike ride with a total 800 ft gradual gain.  Optional stop at the Bookmill café on the way back.  Meet at the scenic turnout in Sunderland, just before Falls Rd. Contact Tusi at ritachild@hotmail.com or 413-320-8784.

Sat. April 9. Hike Mt Tom Summit, Easthampton. Hike up to Mt Tom summit (ie, where the antennas are) from the southern end of the mountain. Rigorous, with some less-rigorous but mostly all uphill to the top. Roughly 2 hours, with enough rest stops for a pleasant climb. Meet at 1:30 (to leave by 1:40 sharp) at the parking area on Rt 141 across from the gated road leading to Whiting Reservoir. 

Sun. April 10. Walk at Nonotuck Park.  Join us for a walk at Nonotuck Park in Easthampton in the woods and along the brook/pond. Meet at 1:00 pm at the entrance gate to the park at 1 Daley Field Road.  2 to 2.5 miles of trail. Possible stop at Mt Tom’s ice cream afterwards. Some parts of the trail might be a little muddy. 

Sat. April 16. Hike at Arcadia.  Meet a 1:00 pm to walk the old trolley line conservation area on Coombes Road. Contact Nira at niraharper@gmail.com or 413-320-3158.

Sun. April 17. Book Group.  We’ll meet in the evening via Zoom to discuss The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker.

Tues. April 19. Bike Ride Easthampton to Northampton.  We’ll bike to downtown Northampton from Easthampton via the rail trail. Meet at 1:00 pm at INSA Cannabis parking lot, on the back side of the Keystone Building. 

Fri. April 22. Outdoor Potluck.  5:30 – 8:00 pm in Easthampton.  Bring lawn chair, potluck dish, your own plate, cut & utensils.  I’ll have seltzers & teas and a bonfire. Feel free to bring other beverages (beer & wine ok). 

Sat. April 23. Hike at Mt. Holyoke. Meet at 1:00  for a 4.6 mile moderate hike up Mt. Holyoke.  From Mountainside Parking on 47 up to Halfway House, walk down Mountain Road to the trailhead up to M and M trail. Walk along the ridge to Mt. Holyoke, return to parking lot via Taylor Notch Trail. Some steep sections and rock scrambles. Moderately paced hike.  Roughly 2 hours. 

Sun. April 24. Bike Ride TBD.  We’ll do a 15-18 mile moderate bike ride.  Tusi ritachild@hotmail.com or 413-320-8784.

Sat. April 30. Hike at Conwall Property in Worthington. This is a 2+/- mile out and back hike with some elevation gain - a gentle workout. Meet at the parking area for the wildlife management area on Rt 112.

Coming in May: Backyard Arts Enjoy drawing, painting, writing, composing, knitting, crafting or any other creative endeavor in Sue's backyard, a relaxing, welcoming place. 

Sun. May 1.  May Day Bike Ride.  Meet at 1:30 to bike from Sunderland to Turner’s Falls. 

Sat. May 7. Rattlesnake Knob Hike. Out and back from the Notch on Robert Frost Trail. A moderate, steady hike with one small steep patch climbing up to the Knob.  Meet at the Notch at 11:30 for a 2.5 hour hike with lunch at the top.  

Sun. May 8. Paddle Lake Warner.  Meet at 11:30 to paddle this lovely, quiet lake.  Bring a picnic lunch.  Contact Nira at niraharper@gmail.com or 413-320-3158.

Sat. May 14. Hike Memorial Trail+Sanderson Falls, Chester. Hike the Memorial Trail (via Newman Marsh Trail) and then a quick visit to Sanderson Falls, which is a short distance from where the trail goes back down to (and further along) Sanderson Brook Rd. Initial steep uphill, leading to a flat loop with a couple views at the top. About 2 hours, give or take, depending on how long we (or you, if you leave separately) spend time at Sanderson Falls. Meet at 1:30 (to leave by 1:40 sharp) at the parking area right where Sanderson Brook Rd. turns off Rt 20 (between Huntington and Chester).

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/memorial-trail-via-h-newman-marsh-trail 

Sun. May 15. Hike with Photo Taking. Starts at 1:30 pm. Place TBD. 

Sun. May 15. Book Group.  We’ll meet in the evening via Zoom to discuss The Good Lord Bird by James McBride.  

Fri. May 20. Outdoor Potluck.  5:30 – 8:00 pm in Easthampton.  Bring lawn chair, potluck dish, your own plate, cut & utensils.  I’ll have seltzers & teas and a bonfire. Feel free to bring other beverages (beer & wine ok).

Sat. May 21. Hike and Brattleboro Art Museum Visit.  Meet for carpool at 10:15 or meet at trailhead in NH (just over the bridge from Brattleboro) at 11:15.

Two options-1)  flat easy walk along CT river view or 2) opt to take upper trail that parallels and periodically accesses lower walk.  Bring your own lunch or snack to eat outside Museum before going into exhibits. Museum hours are 10-4.    More details will follow over listserv in May. Led by Celia and Marilyn. 

Sun. May 22. Bike Ride TBD. We’ll do a 15-18 mile moderate bike ride.  Tusi ritachild@hotmail.com or 413-320-8784.

Sat. May 28. Hike Monument Mountain. We’ll leave Northampton at 2:00 pm to carpool to Monument Mountain for a moderate hike with some steep parts. Possible early dinner at Baba Louie’s in Great Barrington afterward. Contact Nira at niraharper@gmail.com or 413-320-3158.

Sat. June 4. Hike at Ice Glen, Stockbridge. Hike the Ice Glen Trail with Nira and Deb. Ice Glen is a beautiful, 1.40 mile (out and back) trail, right in Stockbridge. Moderately challenging (some scrambling over rocks) hour-long hike. Meet at the parking area at Goodrich Memorial Park in Stockbridge at 12:30 (to leave by 12:40 sharp). After the hike we'll stop at a cafe (those of us who wish to). https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/ice-glen-trail. 

Sun. June 5. Slow Poke Bike Ride.  We’re reviving the Slow Poke Bike Ride from Sunderland to Montague, with a stop at the Bookmill café for lunch. Meet at 11:30 am at the Scenic Turnout just before Falls Road in Sunderland for a 10 mile round trip ride.  Contact Nira at niraharper@gmail.com or 413-320-3158.

Sat. June 11. Paddle at Lake Warner.  Meet at 11:00 to paddle these lovely quiet waters. 

Sun. June 12. Bike Ride. We’ll do a 15-18 mile moderate biker ride.  Tusi ritachild@hotmail.com or 413-320-8784.

Sat. June 18.  Kayak at Nashawannuck Pond. Meet at 10:00 for up to a two hour paddle on the pond in Easthampton. Then we’ll gather for lunch at Tandem Bagel afterwards. The meeting/put in place is at the dock off of Williston Ave, across from the municipal building. 

Sun. June 19. Backyard Brunch & Summer Calendar Planning.  Come at 11:00 am for brunch, socializing, and planning the summer calendar of events.  We’ll provide the brunch food.  You bring a lawn chair, your own beverage and ideas for summer fun. RSVP to Tusi at ritachild@hotmail.com or 413-320-8784.

Sun. June 19. Book Group.  We’ll meet in the evening over Zoom to discuss Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.  

Fri. June 24. Outdoor Potluck Social.  5:30 – 8:00 pm in Easthampton.  Bring lawn chair, potluck dish, your own plate, cut & utensils.  I’ll have seltzers & teas and a bonfire. Feel free to bring other beverages (beer & wine ok).