Ashby – Catching Marbles

My life’s a mess and the world’s on fire – which means it’s high time for a happy distraction. Why not a hike? In the woods? With trees? They’re good people, those trees. Never said anything bad about anyone and sometimes… I just need this. I think we all do. So I hopped into the car and drove in a random direction.

I ended up winding down a series of lovely dirt roads which seemed for the most part completely unpopulated except for the odd historical barn and or farmhouse. It was like going back into time out there… and I was loving every second of it. I’ve been going through a Classic Rock phase lately and was blaring anthems from the 1960’s. Maybe it’s just comforting to listen to knowing the state of things today. I don’t know, but I was looking for a trail as I was groovin’ along and it didn’t take long before I found something that looked promising. It was an unmarked trail in the middle of nowhere guarded by rock slabs. I pulled over and asked my phone where I was (because my GPS seemed to have no idea.)

Did you know you can just Google “Where am I?” and the damn phone will actually tell you?! Just like that! The wonders of technology! But yes, I was at 1590 Greenville Road Ashby MA.

It was quiet here, not a soul in sight, the perfect place for a socially distanced little stroll through the forest. Immediately upon stepping on the trail I saw two other trails branching off the main trail. Hmmm. And there were tree branches cut everywhere. Clearly someone was trying to keep this place maintained but… there were no trail markers and not 100 feet up the main line I came to a 4-way Y. Now what?! I walked straight, or at least the closest thing I could to straight but the path seemingly ended not far from there OR wound off to the left which looked super hairy. I then walked back to the 4-way impasse and chose to take the farthest left trail. MAYBE if I just keep taking lefts I will just have to take a bunch of rights to get back to the car, right? Theoretically… but this place was godawful. The trail kept winding in every direction with other trails constantly branching off in other Y’s. Nothing was marked AT ALL. This was like navigating my way through someone’s arteries. I couldn’t have been more than an eighth of a mile from the car but I called it quits. I just didn’t want to die lost in the woods today. Sorry. This was literally the worst trail I have ever been on as far as being a rat’s nest of options. It’s a GREAT place if you really do want to get hopelessly lost or perhaps have a body to unburden yourself of… otherwise I do NOT suggest this trail to anyone!

Onwards I went! First to the Pleasant View Cemetery and then the Mason Rail Trail. Both very close to an old destination – the Uncle Sam house.

You know what’s funny about people? How oblivious they are and I am no exception! For years I lived in New England completely ignorant of the little gems I was driving by each and every day. Now it’s as if my eyes have been opened because now I pay attention to every roadside sign that I come across, noting in my mind if I can’t check it out right then and there. Today’s little find was Trap Falls in Ashby MA.

I thought it might be a hiking trail to a waterfall so I dressed appropriately in a T-shirt and jeans, carrying my trusty camera. There were a few people parked here, a couple in the parking lot looking at me suspiciously, I didn’t know why. I smiled, nodded, and went on my way like I owned the place. I find this is the best way to deal with strange looks.

Maybe one hundred feet into the woods there was a building that looked like a changing station and just beyond that there was a beautiful little waterfall where small children were splashing about and giggling. I was a little hesitant to crash this party seeing as I am childless and alone, but the man sitting there and watching his kids was super friendly. he said hello and told me all about how this has been his favorite swimming hole since he stumbled on it some fifty years ago. Now he had brought all seven of his children here, some grown, others still young. I found this whole story doubly intriguing considering this guy had a thick Southern drawl.

I stood on the little bridge overlooking the waterfall and watched the children scamper about in their bathing suits, squealing with joy as they splashed in a little basin just in front of the waterfall and behind some rocks. It wasn’t a big area and wouldn’t keep any adults occupied but it was perfect for kids and I sighed as I watched them for a few minutes – so full of joy, so full of life. It’s a refreshing change for me. After I snapped a few photos I meandered onwards – to the next adventure!

If you are enjoying Catching Marbles please consider adding a dollar or two to my limited gas money fund so I can continue going on adventures and sharing them with you! Thank you!

Tag: Ashby

Unmarked Trail – Ashby MA

Trap falls – Ashby MA