By Dan Kennedy • The press, politics, technology, culture and other passions

Willowdale on a dry summer’s day

I’m not running because I’m trying to recover from a heel injury. I’m not riding because my bike’s in the shop with a snapped gear cable. So this afternoon I hiked through Willowdale State Forest in Topsfield (this link says it’s in Ipswich, but I stayed on the Topsfield side).

Because of the unusually dry summer, I was able to walk along trails that are almost always off-limits, including a particularly nice path that bisects a swamp. The horseflies and mosquitoes were obnoxious, but not overwhelmingly so.

Despite the dry weather, we’ve had some wild storms. Because of flooding damage, the footbridge that connects Willowdale with Bradley Palmer State Park is out — from the serious-looking chain-link fence that’s been built around it, I’d be surprised to see it reopen any time soon.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the photos.

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4 Comments

  1. We love it there. What a treasure it is. Almost got married there but picked Peabody Essex Museum library and then Hawthorne for the reception.

    • Dan Kennedy

      @Mark: You almost got married in Willowdale? I’m trying to picture where. You must mean Bradley Palmer — they’ve done a beautiful job of restoring the building and grounds there. It would be a fantastic place for a wedding, though the PEM and the Hawthorne are pretty nice, too.

  2. Steve Stein

    It was a great day (well, great morning before it got hot) for a walk, so I have to put in a plug for the Delaney Wildlife Management Area in Stow MA.

  3. Donna Morris

    Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing.

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