Part of my wife’s job is to create quality of life for those individuals she is called to care for. That includes taking the friends who live with us on brief vacations in keeping with their disabilities. She has been away all week at Lake Winnipesaukee with one of our friends. This next week she has to take another to Foxwoods for a day trip.
But today was a day for us to get reaquainted. So I asked my daughter Melanie if she would stay with everyone while Tina and I took a little hiking trip out to Doane’s Falls.
I guess I was inspired by my friends Nate and Nicole Beauvais(lovingsimplemoments.wordpress.com), but I knew I was definitely not up to one of the ten-mile bike rides they find so refreshing. So I thought I might settle for a little light hiking.
We got to the park around 1:30 and walked in about a half mile before breaking for a light snack. The sound of water rushing over granite filled the air and covered our conversation.
When I was a child. The falls was a popular spot for teens to go jumping. It seemed someone got hurt or worse every year.
Now the falls are off-limits to jumpers. But the pathways are filled with hikers. While it’s not a place for wheel chairs the pathways are good for those who like a moderate hike.
Tina and I ate by this third set of falls
. The rock walls are covered with thick mosses that add to the beauty and peace of the wood.
This is a great place to reconnect. So when you next get the chance take a walk! Breathe the free air!
Directions to Doane’s Falls: From the intersection of Rt. 2A and 32 in Athol, cross Miller’s River Bridge and bear right onto Chestnut Hill Rd. (becomes Athol Rd.) north toward Royalston. Proceed 4 mi. to entrance and parking (3 cars) on left. To Coddings Meadow at Lawrence Brook, walk 0.5 mi. down gated woods road off Athol Rd. on right just before stone bridge.
Reinventing the We'll 