A Walk in the Woods

Taconic Crest Trail

Though we weren't on the Appalachian Trail and although I haven't actually read Bill Bryson's book, the title seems appropriate.

Yesterday when Miriam got off work, the the two of us headed out for an evening hike. It was late and so we couldn't go out very long, but it was fantastic to be out in the forest and for Miriam it was especially good to get out in the fresh air after a stressful day in the office.

Looking over New York.

We hiked along a portion of the Taconic Crest Trail that winds through a 2,500 acre nature reserve owned by Williams College for recreation and study.  It was a beautiful portion of trail.  Mostly I was struck by the dense vegetation, something I'm not used to seeing in the Sierras.  These hardwood forests seem to close in around you so even though we were walking along a ridge there weren't any real views to speak of.  The foliage made a full canopy overhead.

After nearly two miles we broke out into the open and got the first of the "spectacular" views Miriam's trail book had promised us.  It was quite beautiful, though I'm not sure I would have said spectacular.  The rolling, green-blue mountains stretched out as far as we could see: New York to the west, Vermont to the north and Massachusetts to the southeast.

We finished off the evening with a burger and chili from the Purple Pub in town and ice cream from Lickety Split.  Just the kind of food you crave after a hike. :)