Greening up on the Nashua River Rail Trail

May 4, 2014February 24, 2026 / Ellen Kolb

I see no columbines yet on the Nashua River Rail Trail in Dunstable, Massachusetts, just over the New Hampshire border. I knew today was kind of early in the season, but I was eager for the year’s first visit to this old friend of a trail. I spotted a columbine along the way in this stretch about three years ago. The following year, a second plant sprang up a few feet away. Since then, I haven’t been able to spot them – pulled up? died? I don’t know, but I look for them anyway.

Tiny violets - harbingers of wildflower season — Tiny violets – harbingers of wildflower season

Blossoms were few this weekend – a dandelion, and a few of the tiny violets that I refuse to call weeds. The deciduous trees along the trail are just beginning to leaf out, and little pines are taking root in the shadow of big ones. The skunk cabbages down in the wetlands are the brightest green in sight. Spring cleanup has already been done by some wonderful volunteers who have moved the winter’s deadfall off the pavement.

columbine (800x600) — Columbine: what I’m waiting for.

Most flowers are still a few weeks off, and I’m impatient for them. Still, I liked what I saw today – if not for its own sake, then for what it means for the coming season. Clumps of green grasses and ground cover are poking up through the dead leaves along the edge of the trail. The farm in Dunstable has sheets of white row-cover already out on one field, so something’s been planted – will it be pumpkins or butternut squash this year? The soda vending machine that one whimsical family sets up annually in their back yard adjacent to the trail is back, and the price per soda is unchanged at $1.

No plane from Skydive Pepperell. I’m not sure if that was due to the weather or the calendar. From late spring through fall, I’m accustomed to the every-20-minutes rhythm of the prop plane as it takes off from its airstrip near the trail, makes lazy circles up to what I’m told is 13,000 feet to let out the skydivers, then descends and returns.

From a good NRRT neighbor: the soda stand

Weekend traffic was far below summer levels. There were very few cyclists riding as though on a mission, zooming past everyone. This was a family day, featuring kids on training wheels or on very shiny bikes that were probably under the Christmas tree. One high-spirited six-year-old had a BMX-style helmet that probably cost more than his bike.

No helmet or bike for me this weekend, just sneakers and a hankering for wildflowers. They’re not out yet, but I’ll see them soon.

Un-whining in Mine Falls Park

February 25, 2014February 24, 2026 / Ellen Kolb / 1 Comment

I haven’t been out for a hike in weeks. Whine.

January and February have been filled with long hours of work and stress and lousy weather. Whine.

My clothes are too snug, I’m out of breath after three flights of stairs, and I hate icy roads. Whine, whine, whine.

When the weather was inviting the other day (and please, no scolding me for being unprepared for all conditions), I forced myself to shake off my winter torpor for little while. I headed to Mine Falls Park in Nashua for a loop around the cove near the Millyard.

The cove at Mine Falls Park, awaiting the springtime return of the swans. Nashua Millyard in background.

Hard to believe what a difference that made. After a couple of miles, my jeans were still snug and I still had a pile of work waiting for me. But gradually, as I walked along the canal path in crunchy snow, the whines went away. Fresh air and near-silence worked wonders.

I’ll still need a push to get out the door this season, but Mine Falls Park will remind me that the effort pays off.

Mid-spring on the Nashua River Rail Trail

May 6, 2012February 23, 2026 / Ellen Kolb / 1 Comment

Back to the Nashua River Rail Trail today. This is still one of my favorite places, in all seasons. After a dry winter & early spring, recent rains have brought out the wildflowers along the trail, including the columbines that I know will be gone before my next visit. Today’s walk was from Gilson Road in Nashua, New Hampshire to Rt. 113 in Pepperell, Massachusetts.