Slowing Down in Spencer State Forest

When we told Jordyn about our weekend plans to visit Spencer State Forest, she was less than thrilled. “I want to stay home and work on projects,” she whined. When we suggested that a nature scavenger hunt could be a project, she perked up. When we reminded her she could continue the previous weekend's hunt for woodland fairies, she was on board.

A sampling of items she hoped to find in the woods:

Squirrels

Mooshrooms (her spelling)

Shaving cream (don't ask)

Her note to the fairies:

Dear Fairies: I'm visiting today. Love, Jordyn

Armed with list and note, we set out for the 965-acre park on a record-warm late March day.

After pulling into a moderately full parking area, we walked over to a small waterfall at the head of Howe Pond. We agreed to hike a trail around the pond, but decided first to try one through the woods. Our map showed wooded trails dotted with streams, which would give me ample opportunity to look for frogs. Sadly, none were to be found. No matter; we all enjoyed pausing and listening to the soul-soothing sound of the water rushing over rocks. (Bonus: Jordyn found her “shaving cream,” in the form of foamy water collecting in a stream.)

As we continued along the mostly empty wooded trail, we were jarred out of serenity by the sound of gunfire. After several intermittent shots, we spied a farm beyond the edge of the trail and determined that someone was either practicing their shot or getting a head start on dinner. We told Jordyn it was firecrackers. A little farther on we found ourselves face to face with an imposing downed tree, effectively blocking the way back to our starting point (but providing a perfect notch in which Jordyn could tuck her fairy note). We turned around and headed back to the parking area, where we paused for lunch. A nearby plaque reminded us that Spencer was the birthplace of Elias Howe, inventor of – among other things – the sewing machine.

Next up: A hike around the pond. We started out in a grassy knoll in which Jordyn decided to lie down and attempt to commune with her fairy friends. After some prodding on our parts, she agreed to press on, wistful that her winged creatures might make an appearance in her absence.

The hike around the pond was pleasant enough: The trail populated by hundreds startlingly straight trees that appeared to stand at attention, and the pace punctuated by frequent Jordyn stops. She wanted to read signs. Pick up sticks. Sit down. Peek into the pond. Throw sticks into the pond. Contemplate moss. Arlen and I found ourselves torn between wanting to let her explore and wanting to get some actual hiking (read: exercise) into our day. It's ironic, really: We wanted to get Jordyn outdoors to teach her to slow down and be more mindful, but when she actually does that, we get impatient. Hmmm, maybe it's we who need to hone those skills …  (Sara)