Globe Corner Blogs

Jess Caught Fish! --photo by Jess

Up until about a month ago, I had never given much thought to the numerous fishing guides and fish photography books dispersed throughout our store. To be honest, fishing always seemed boring — a kind of waiting game that culminated in a slimy scaled creature with a hook through its mouth, a flapping tail, and an odor that was, well, fishy. But, like with so many other things in life, my preconceived notions were dramatically changed when I had the opportunity to actually go fishing for brook trout in Vermont.

I do have to admit that my first fishing excursion was undoubtedly “fishing-lite,” and any serious fisher, or fan of The Deadliest Catch for that matter, will find my account laughable. Nevertheless, the nerve-wracking yet exhilarating feeling of the first little bite at the end of my rod grabbed and kept my attention. With my eyes fixed firmly on the stream and my thoughts on the fish resting just below its surface, I felt myself fishing.

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A New England Autumn by Ferenc Mate

Today, it is fall in Boston. Perhaps not on the calendar, but certainly in the air. The crickets of late-summer have stopped their song. The sky is low and gray. The local Farmer’s Market was full of crisp apples and fat heirloom tomatoes. Chrysanthemums are blooming and the leaves on the trees have turned dull in preparation for their brilliant costume change.

Autumn is a dressy affair in New England. When the trees finally do put on their finest, people migrate north en mass to drive the Kancamagus Highway or even hike the Long Trail in Vermont. I myself am looking forward to fresh apple cider, apple pie, apple cobbler, and those sugary maple candies they make in cute shapes.

Until then, I watch the skies darken further and hope the rain doesn’t pull down the leaves prematurely. And I rejoice in the excuse to wear sweatshirts and curl up inside reading all day.

Mt Ascutney, VT -- photo by Jess

When choosing a day hike, I think it’s always important to have a sense of the vertical rise of the mountain and the total distance of the hike. That being said, I also know that hikers really seek a stunningly rewarding summit view that screams “take my picture!” and congratulates them for their hard, sweaty work.

With all this in mind, Mount Ascutney, located in Southern Vermont on the border of New Hampshire and Vermont, is a fun and challenging day hike good for all ages. Even if you lack tons of hiking experience, or are hiking with younger children, Mount Ascutney is quite managable and the Weathersfield Trail has a couple of convenient scenic stopping points ideal for a GORP (good old-fasioned raisins and peanuts) and a water break. Continue Reading »