Today I took Penny for a walk in the snow. It was (barely) deep enough to justify snowshoes, so I brought those along too. I didn’t put them on right away, as it’s not a great idea to wear them on a plowed road, and I had plenty of that between me and my destination. We first turned into the ex-forest.
Penny found a stick for me to throw
We crossed that parcel of land and then walked towards Sandogardy Pond, though I didn’t actually go to the pond itself. Instead, we took the trail to the railroad tracks.
Snowshoe Alley
These tracks are used by trains during the warmer months, and by snowmobiles during the colder months. They are open to snowshoeing during the winter too. We walked south along the tracks and continued until we reached what was once a train depot.
Northfield Station
About once per month when we drive by this old train station, I trick Beth into letting me tell her that this house used to be a train station. Usually I say something like, “Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you something important.” She’ll usually (but not always) take the bait, saying “What?” That’s when I spring it on her. “This house used to be a train station!” It elicits deep groans every time. When I got back from my hike today she asked me if I’d play Uno with her, and I took the opportunity to do this again. I had my laptop on my lap after just having downloaded the day’s photo haul. The photo above was on the screen. I said, “OK, but first I need to show you something on the computer.” She came and sat down beside me and I sprung the dreadful phrase once again. “This house used to be a train station.” “DADDY!” Ha ha. Then we played Uno for half an hour or so. But back to the hike.
Near the train station is a nice red barn with a nice red house (or is that the other way around?) I think that if the house didn’t have a barn, it would not be painted red, so I like to think of the barn having the house.
Red barn and its house
That was about as far from home as my hike led me today. I headed back home down the road so I could pass the Union Church.
Northfield Union Church
Like the train station, it looks best in snowy weather. I took the snowshoes off again as we were once again hiking along the road. We took a shortcut on a short unplowed section of road when I notice our shadows.
Self portrait
I couldn’t capture exactly what I saw though, as I needed to hold my snowshoes over me shoulder using the same hand with which I held Penny’s leash, so my right hand could work the shutter button. But it’s not far off. I tried to tuck my camera arm in so it wouldn’t look like I was taking my picture, even though the leash leads the eye right to the camera operator.
That was a good walk. The thing I like best about snowshoeing with Penny is that she has to work a lot harder than I do to make progress. This tires her out more than it tires me out, and that is something she very much needs.
Maybe there will be more of this in the near future.
January 2, 2013 at 12:11 am
Thanks, I needed a good laugh and your story about the train station and Beth provided it! I love the photo of the Northfield Union Church. You know, they might like to have a copy of that! And Penny… what a sweetie!
January 2, 2013 at 7:21 am
The church is actually owned by the city. It was built in the late 1800′s by the community and given to the city under the provisos that it be maintained by the city in perpetuity, and be available for free to any denomination who wanted to use it. None currently do.
January 2, 2013 at 6:19 am
I used to pick on my daughter like that when she was little. Beth probably won’t live near a train station when she grows up! I’m surprised that the trains only run in the summer there. The old Boston and Maine used to run year- round here. The tracks were always a good place for cross country skiing too.
January 2, 2013 at 7:23 am
They don’t plow the tracks out this far. The line is still active closer to Concord.
January 2, 2013 at 6:33 am
Love the red barn and house! Great pics. Best wishes to you and yours for the coming year.
January 2, 2013 at 7:23 am
Thank you Bridget. I hope you have a good 2013 as well.
January 15, 2013 at 7:27 pm
[...] This is why I nearly fell over laughing when I read my brother’s post about what he does to his daughter – tricking her into telling her about a house that used to be a train depot. Here’s an excerpt, [...]