Several diaries here at DKos recently have focused on US national parks. And magnificent parks they are. I've loved every one that I have been to.
But let's not forget the little local wonders we have, either.
Recently, I visited two local preserves ~ both nice little gems ;-) Follow me over the orange doodle for more.....
Ordway Grove has been a preserve, owned by the Twin Town Nature Club, since 1931, although the name and the trees go back to the late 1700s. Because it has been preserved that long, it has some of the oldest and largest white pines in Maine. It now has an easy 6/10 of a mile trail through a 9 acre site, with lake views from various spots.
The approach is non-descript ~ what looks like a dirt driveway, marked by a small wooden sign, between two houses at the edge of a small town.
Note: with all the photos ~ click on them for larger versions.
But then you walk through the area of white pines....hard to photograph, they are so tall; some are over 150 feet in height; they grow close together, covering just a small portion of the Grove.
At the far end of the loop, there are nice views of the local lake (not the one I'm on.....this lake is much bigger, although not huge by Maine standards):
The trail then circles around to the starting point, with various other trees to enjoy:
Attempting an 'artistic' shot:
Just up the street a mile from Ordway Grove is Witt Swamp, a preserve owned by the Western Foothills Land Trust (WFLT).
Considerably larger than Ordway Grove at 141 acres, Witt Swamp is also free to the public. The preserve is a fairly recent addition to the area ~ the 7/10 of a mile trail only opened a couple years ago, although the WFLT has owned the land for a decade now. For more than a century, this land had been owned by a local maker of dowel rods and wooden game board pieces, so there isn't the same old growth forest that Ordway Grove has. It's named for the first recorded owner, blacksmith Benjamin Witt, who settled in the area in the late 1700s.
Just this last week, the WFLT announced it has bought an additional parcel of 111 acres, which will help protect the wetlands and allow building a longer (2.5 mile) trail.
Some help over the damper areas:
Nicely maintained and clearly marked trail:
A view of the wetlands:
Assorted other pictures of the preserve, showing areas of older trees and evidence of previous harvesting in the area:
And, finally, a couple attempts at more 'artistic' shots:
Thanks for joining me on these little strolls through the woods!
What local gems are near you? Pictures/details/stories more than welcome!