Back in 2010, when I was unemployed, I volunteered 8 hours
one day a week at Laudholm Farm. Nancy was the volunteer coordinator at the
time and she would generally schedule me to work in the morning with the
research team and in the afternoon either working on mailings or sitting in the
parking lot kiosk. Over the years,
I continued volunteering during events like the Craft Festival and
Punkinfiddle, and spending time on the trails taking pictures.
More recently, when I spend a day adventuring, I like to
bring Mattie, my dog. Laudholm does not allow dogs so I would usually go
elsewhere. Last Saturday (4/11/26) I had my Geology class in the morning so found myself
with an empty afternoon near Wells without a dog, so my cameras and I took a
meander.
I am trying to learn the important new features of both my
new cameras before bug photography season begins. I chose my favorite loop, starting down the Muskie Trail,
then returning via the Pilger Trail, Laudholm Connector, and Knight Trail. I
moved at a slow pace, stopping frequently to take
photos and soak in the surroundings. The entire walk covered about two miles
and took me around four hours; it was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
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| Rockin' Robin |
This trail begins at the main farmhouse’s wraparound
porch, crossing the lawn before heading over the road. During most of the year,
this lawn leads into a wildflower-filled field, including milkweed, but early
spring leaves the landscape pretty bare, making this part of the walk feel a bit dull.
Robins were busy hunting along the stone wall, and I noticed an old sugar maple
tree that’s seen better days. Someone has planted a couple of memorial trees
nearby, preparing to take the place of the elder tree.
After crossing the quiet road, I entered what I
think of as the tunnel—a stretch lined with red maples, pin cherry, and alder
trees, with a small stream flowing on the left. The path here is straight,
perhaps with an old water pipe running underneath, and it just makes me happy.
Next, the trail veers left onto a boardwalk that
crosses a wet meadow. Ferns, cotton grass, and tiny trails branching off
suggest that critters frequent this area. I’ve even spotted cranberries here,
with their delicate pink flowers—a favorite of mine. The trail then turns
northeast, running along the edge of a hayfield, with dense shrubbery on the
right and glimpses of an old fence. I often stop here to watch birds or
butterflies, though on this day, not much was moving.
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| Coyote Scat |
Continuing northeast, the trail skirts the forest,
which is often damp and covered with moss or boardwalk. To the right, a wooded
swamp is part of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. I’ve been
listening to Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, “Gathering Moss,” and enjoyed
examining the lush green moss and lichen up close—perfect macro photography
material before bugs become active.
The Muskie Trail
ends at an intersection with the Pilger Trail. I always turn right here to walk
across the edge of the salt marsh on a boardwalk that leads to the Webhannet
Estuary overlook. In the past, I’ve sat on the bench watching geese and egrets
across the river, but today was quiet. The trail passes through tall phragmite
grass, which can be a little intimidating when it’s right at the edge of the
boards, but today it had been trimmed back.
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| Phragmites Grass |
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| Webhannet Salt Marsh |
After visiting the overlook, I
returned to the forest, where the trail is lined with highbush blueberry and
huckleberry bushes. For some reason these bushes tend to stay ripe a
little later in the season and I have often stopped to snack in the fall.
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| Wrigglers? aka Mosquito Larvae |
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| Yeah, this is just a root but I thought it looked like an iguana |
The Pilger Trail then winds through drier forest
with white pines. This day I was hearing
the tree frogs sing and stopped several times for several minutes to try to
observe them, but I wasn’t successful.
The trail then skirts the same meadow we
saw earlier, leading back through an apple orchard. I took a left onto the
Laudholm Connector, heading uphill toward the Knight Trail. Along this stretch,
the shrubs are a great spot for birdwatching.
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| Crow |
One new discovery was a memorial area with trees,
benches, and dedication plaques, including one honoring those who lost their
lives during COVID. Ornaments like lobsters and cardinals hang on some of the
trees.
At the top of the ridge where we connect to the Knight
Trail, there’s an observation station with a copper beech tree planted during a
time when I visited more often. I love the sign that reminds me that this ridge
marks the boundary between the Little River and Webhannet watersheds.
Walking across the ridge back toward the barn, my
mind fills with images of the past: parked cars, happy visitors, colorful kites,
and a horse-drawn hayride. The Craft Festival is still going strong, even
though I no longer lead hikes or sell lobster rolls. Still, I do miss
Punkinfiddle, which was always a highlight of fall.
As I headed
home, I felt grateful for the day off and the chance to reconnect with this
special place. It’s amazing how a simple walk can refresh the mind and spirit,
especially in a setting as beautiful and familiar as Laudholm Farm. I look
forward to returning soon, camera in hand, to capture more of its quiet beauty
and maybe discover something new along the way.
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| Moss on downed tree |
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| Yellow birch bark |
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| Wrapped by bittersweet |
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| Maleberry |
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| Red maple buds |
