The first day of “Making a Nature Trail” involved learning how to identify trees common to the area. Today (Tuesday), we continued to work on this skill but also began to draft ideas for identification signs that will be placed on the trees at the Fitness and Nature Trail. Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, we spent the hour before lunch hiking the trail behind the Jake, stopping along the way to identify trees and animal tracks.
When we got back together after lunch, we walked out to the nature trail to meet with Mr. Brummer’s friend, Barry Draper, a longtime teacher and naturalist who lives in the town of New Hampton. Barry led us through the nature trail, pointing out birds in the sky and tracks on the ground. Conditions were not ideal for tracking, but we did see birds that Barry could almost speak to. On the way, the boys bushwhacked down to the Pemigewasset River and set up a game cam. The cams' first image was of a wild Owen Thornton roaming the woods. On the way back to the trailhead, some of the boys got a quick pump in on the fitness stations along the trail. At the trailhead, Barry taught us about lichen he found in along the trail.
Barry Draper and “The Boys” after our nature hike
Owen checking out lichens at the trailhead
From there, we said our goodbyes to Barry and thanked him for sharing his knowledge. After walking back to campus, the boys were sent loose to enjoy the rest of the day!
