Ipswich, Mass – Did I mention that I am going to climb a mountain next month? As part of my research for Lonely Plant Costa Rica, I will summit Cerro Chirripó (3821m). In preparation for hiking Costa Rica’s highest mountain, I have been doing a lot of walking in our local hills, tackling Wachusett Mountain, Bear Hill in the Middlesex Fells, and of course the seven hills of Somerville. I’m pretty sure these are not the best preparation for a 3800m peak, but it’s the best I can do right now.
Today, I bribed the family to join me in my “training”. So where do you think we went? The White Mountains? The Green Mountains? The Berkshires?
No… we drove up to Ipswich to walk the Grass Rides at Appleton Farms. These are carriage trails through woods and pastureland, lined with classic New England stone walls, and dotted with grazing sheep. There are no hills. But it is bucolic and lovely. And again, it’s the best I can do right now, especially if I want my kids to come along.
