Time for a (gentle) barefoot outing!

[hob...@techno-fandom.org]

It has been *way* too long since this list was utilized for its intended
purpose, that being to gather fellow barefooters for a woodland outing.
As we get back into better weather, I'd like to start doing that again, and
help ease folks gently back into it if they've been inactive for a while.

So, on Sunday March 30, I'm doing a relatively mild hike in the southwestern
Middlesex Fells, the area known as Lawrence Woods. It has relatively gentle
terrain as compared to some of the more rugged stuff elsewhere in the park,
plenty of different possible routes, and we can design it on the fly depending
on how people are feeling. There are some interesting historical points in
the area, such as the remains of the 90mm anti-aircraft gun site and a few
hints where the Rams Head Hill fire tower once stood.

We can meet in the way-back lot behind the Medford High School, visible at

https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=19/42.431820/-71.124437

which has two trailheads near it. Let's shoot for 1:00 PM EDT; we should be
done easily within two or three hours. Heavy/steady rain will cancel, but
light or spotty rain isn't a problem. Dogs are fine if you want to bring
them along for even more bare-paw inspiration!

I've been leading hikes for the Friends of the Fells for a little over a
year, and have learned a lot more about the park. Maybe some of you would
want to participate in those, although they're not presented as specifically
barefoot hikes since we get a wide audience for those. But I certainly lead
those barefoot, and have gotten my share of fun comments and questions.

_H*

[hob...@techno-fandom.org]

Reminder -- hike in the Fells, Sunday at 1PM, Medford high school back
parking lot. It's likely to be cold and drizzly, but we're still planning
on going -- or at least showing up and collectively deciding about conditions.
I have no problem hiking with an umbrella... even if some people are
apparently horrified by the idea.

_H*

[hob...@techno-fandom.org]

Well, it was only 3 of us after all [one shod], but we had a nice ramble
around the lower-left Fells. The path I picked had a good deal more gravel
than I expected, so this may not have been the best route for a beginner, but
given who was present I didn't worry about it too much. I'll continue
keeping an eye out for good barefoot-friendly routes as I poke around various
local Boston-area parks; many are such a mix it's hard to avoid a few rough
bits here and there.

The ~ 40F temps were actually just fine once we got going and the core
warmup happened, and it didn't rain on us at all.

_H*

[Tim McCormack]

Couldn't make it this time, but probably will be up for hikes this
summer!

- Tim