For the past couple months Coon Brook Bridge has been closed. They finally have SOMETHING spanning the river so hopefully that’ll be wrapped up shortly! But with the main road to JSS closed we’ve had to change our route. As annoyed as I was by the extra 5 minutes to get to work it gave me a chance to explore a little bit more.
Right around the corner on Lear Hill Road is a small parking lot with a wooden sign that reads “Thurber Memorial Forest’. This parcel of over 80 acres was donated in 2010 in memory of the Thurber Family who had owned the property since the 1700s! There are stone walls and foundations and a couple trails that lead up to some beautiful fields with incredible views.
Justin and I first went with the dogs to check it out- we expected a short loop through the forest. The yellow markers guided us through trees and rocks in the woods then opened up to a wider trail featuring stone walls and a canopy of leaves. After maybe half a mile we stumbled upon the pastures (that were at one point used for grazing cattle, horses, and sheep) that were huge and sweeping and peaceful.
How perfect is that- just half a mile away from the barn is this really awesome trail system with a giant field?! That sounds pretty perfect for some horses… So I brought Leo out to do some more exploring. He had his ears pricked the entire time and was very excited once I let him open up and gallop through the fields. It was such a perfect day and we’ll certainly be back.
A 10 minute walk up the road from the barn and we have an entirely new place to enjoy. I feel so ridiculously lucky to live near this beautiful place!
