I Imagined Seeing a Rabbit Harvey Preserve, Chaplin December 2025 This is a Joshua's Trust property. If you don't get the rabbit reference(s), just ignore it. They don't mean anything. I enjoy hiking in the winter. I really do. No bugs, not sweat in the eyes, fewer ticks... but even I, an avowed winter lover, … [Read more...]
Tower Hill Preserve
Cabin Fever Tower Hill Preserve, Chaplin December 2025 This is a Joshua's Trust property. I walked this trail on a Monday during Christmas week. So imagine my surprise pulling into the parking area and finding two other cars there. In Chaplin! Wonderful! I parked and since this is a 1.3 mile relatively flat … [Read more...]
Rankin Preserve
I Am Not Rankin' on This Place! Rankin Preserve, Ashford January 2017 & December 2025 This is a Joshua's Trust property. I first came here in 2017 before the loop trail existed, so I returned in 2025. Back in 2017 I hopped out of my car, snapped a picture of the sign, jogged down the old woods road to its end … [Read more...]
Knowlton Hill Preserve
A Ton of Knowltons to Know Knowlton Hill Preserve, Ashford & Mansfield November 2025 This is a Joshua's Trust property. Before coming to this property to hike, I visited the Nathan Hale Heritage Museum at the June Norcross Scout Reservation. While there, I learned about Revolutionary War hero Lieutenant … [Read more...]
JT: Dorothy Goodwin Reserve
S'no Problem Joshua's Trust Dorothy Goodwin Reserve, Mansfield March 2022 This is a Joshua's Trust property. I was up at UConn for something and whenever I go somewhere for something, I try to squeeze in some other things for this thing. ("This thing" being this website.) And if I'm lucky, one or two of those … [Read more...]
JT: Chenes Roches Preserve
With a French Kiss Joshua's Trust Chenes Roches Preserve, Willington June 2021 This is a Joshua's Trust property. We all know English isn't the prettiest tongue on earth. I can't say which language is the most pleasant to the ear, but French is pretty nice. Take this preserve's name: Chenes Roches... ahh... … [Read more...]
JT: Tobiassen Memorial Forest, Auperin, & Weigold Conservation Areas
A Rare Three-fer Joshua's Trust Tobiassen Memorial Forest, Plus Auperin & Weigold Conservation Areas, Tolland June 2021 This is a Joshua's Trust property. As my son Calvin continues to play soccer at a fairly high level (for a 10-year-old, such as that is), his training and playing continues to take me around … [Read more...]
Hubbard Sanctuary & Garrison Park
Hubba Hubbard Hubbard Sanctuary & Agnes' Pasture & Garrison Park, Chaplin March 2021 This is a Joshua's Trust property. There's a lot going on here. Okay, not really, but there's a lot going on here in terms of landowners and managers and trail rights and easements and activities. And for Chaplin, that's … [Read more...]
Bernard Church Woods
The Woods are Our Church Bernard Church Woods, Chaplin March 2021 This is a Joshua's Trust property. Calvin and I arrived at the backwoods trailhead for The Joshua Trust's Bernard Church Woods property at the end of several hours of Chaplin exploration. Yes, it's truly possible to spend a few hours exploring … [Read more...]
Two Sisters Tract
Don't Get it Twister, Sisters Two Sisters Tract, Chaplin March 2021 This is a Joshua's Trust property. As I was gathering stuff for Calvin and I to venture out to Chaplin, I alerted my wife to our destination. "Oh. Chaplin, have fun. It's a beautiful town." I paused for a moment, wondering if and … [Read more...]