It’s nice to take some time to slow down a bit during this busy holiday season. Recently, I was lucky enough to have some free time on a clear afternoon to go for a walk in Poindexter Preserve off of Judd Road in Easton. The property is owned and maintained by the Aspetuck Land Trust, one of their many lovely properties.
After parking across the street, I ventured onto the trail. The initial walk in is parallel to some residential building, but as you come into the heart of the preserve, there’s a bench dedicated to Mrs. Poindexter in front of an absolutely massive maple tree. The tree has several trunks, and must be very old. If you’ve ever been here, you know what I’m talking about.
From here, you can choose which route you take around the tree. Careful deliberation isn’t required, as both paths lead the same direction. A metaphor for life, where someday all of us wind up in the same place. All around, the stems of wildflowers welcome overwintering wildlife.
As you follow the trail into a stand of evergreen trees, moss growing on rocks welcome your touch to ground yourself to this land. It’s also a good time to remind yourself to look up and see just how tall these pine trees are.
As I exit this section of pine trees and start to approach the stream, the call of a raven echoes through the forest. In the stream ice is starting to form, taking the shape similar to Christmas ornaments as the water runs freely. Soon, it could possibly all freeze, but not today. Further into the woods, a short foot bridge allows you to look at the crystal clear water down to the stream bed.
About 40 yards up the trail from there, you’re given a choice of which way to go to continue, either on the white trail or to go up through more pine trees on the red trail. Today, because of my love of these trees I choose to go on the red trail. Love may be a strong word to use for trees, but for me it’s applicable. After all, where would we be without trees to supply our oxygen?
I walk on the soft pine needle trail. The air is very fresh here, and you can smell the hint of pine. It’s early afternoon now, and the sun cuts through the trees. The glare makes it hard to see what’s ahead in the forest. The trail is slightly uphill, but super manageable, even for those with limited hiking abilities. It’s not all that far from civilization, as you can see houses from the trail, especially given that there are no leaves on the trees in the winter. Old Stone walls are a reminder of just how long people have had an impact on this land. They serve as an important reminder of why places like this should be protected and preserved.
After a more treacherous uphill section, the trail leads through a grove of just-starting-out pines looking like Charlie Brown Christmas tree trees in the middle of the forest. It’s here where you can choose between proceeding on the yellow trail or continuing on the red, and I choose the latter.
On a downed tree along the trail, lichens draw my attention. These beautiful living organisms are a symbiotic yet parasitic partnership of fungus and alga that work together to make truly astonishing creations. Like the trees all around, they are living beings.
I stopped to feel their coarse touch, careful not to press too hard and break any from the log.
Upon returning to the white trail, you presented with the option of heading back towards the big tree in the center of the preserve or going down to the stream once more. I again choose to visit the stream and am rewarded with more ice creations.
Ahead at the old dam, water flows from beneath rather than the top. A silent reminder of how time changes everything, gently wearing down everything it touches.
The white trail and this portion loops through the forest, but I head back to the red given I have a short time frame and need to be home to get the kids off the bus.
The preserve is on the smaller side so it’s not it’s a little hard to get lost. It’s fantastic for a quick hike to clear the mind. Also, the Aspetuck Land Trust has done a phenomenal job of marking the trails, including convenient “way out” signs.
I follow the white trail, having completed a loop around the property and head to my car. As I exit through the pine stand, I take some deep breaths and say until next time to my friends, the trees.
The Cultural Easton 