Hike 15 - Section #15

It has been a very busy few days, but we find a way to squeeze in a hike one way or another.  As you can see by the map, there is only 1 little segment left to hike, all the way at the southern end of the county.

This was a relatively easy 5 mile hike,  with 3.75 of it on paved roads.  Betsy was smart, bring both her hiking shoes for the woods and her sneakers for the roads.

We started hiking at 1:19pm.  It was nice and sunny, but since it's mid-November, the sun was really low in the sky. 

We start just off Rt 12 in "downtown" Oxford parking at the conservation commission.

A few weeks ago, we were hiking over the Mass Pike (I-90).  Today we hike under I-395. 

Although much of the hiking is on the road, there is plenty of farmland all around.  In the distance, you can see the wildlife (cows).

This was a particularly pretty pond, with a beaver dam on the edge (foreground left). 
Underfoot, there is water running...

... from this swamp on the other side of the trail.

We were right on the border of the Singletary Rod & Gun Club's archery range.

From the top of the hill, you could just barely make out Mt. Wachusett.  The silos and pastures made for a better photograph.

Back on the road again, the First Baptist Church of Sutton is were we parked our car.

We covered 5.03 miles in 1 hour 57 minutes - really good time.

Although a little chilly, it was nice to get outdoors.  Earlier in the week, learned that my Uncle Bob passed away rather suddenly.  He was a real outdoorsman, so he would have heartily approved of our hiking endeavors.  Over the years he gave me good advice on important things in life like buying a used car, raising boys, and living as a conservative in Massachusetts.  While it was great to see the family at yesterday's funeral, he will truly be missed.