RED ------ the BLUE ^^^^’s

RED (Or Blue Lining for some people) ------ the BLUE ^^^^’s

START TIME AND MEETING PLACES: This week, May 29, 2008, we will be hiking trails at Fowl Meadow. We will be car pooling from the Trailside Museum parking lot. Our hike will start down Burma Road and turn left (east) on Fowl Meadow Path. Our plan is to complete trails east of Burma Road if time permits. The hike is about 3.5 to 4 miles in length and should take us 2 to 2/12 hours to complete. Suggest you bring insect repellent just in case. Start time is 6pm

To get there, take Route 128 to exit 2 and travel north on Rt 138. The parking lot will be on your right just past the Trailside Museum. The Trailside Museum has two parking lots. We are meeting at the lot on the north side of the Museum. Cheryl Lathrop and Jerry Yos will be leading--Kevin Mulligan and Walt Granda will be our co-leaders. I’m also interested in getting some of you, who are interested in becoming leaders, into a more pro-active roll. Please let me know if this is you and I’ll sign you up as a co-leader.

In the Blue Hills, it is not mandatory to have every type of hiking clothing and equipment in the world unless you would like to train for the White Mountains overnight hikes, however, headlamps are a must. The regulars know why. Water and rain coats are a must as well. Please make sure you have these items and please pay attention to the *1 Quart Minimum* of water. I know some of us don’t drink that much (someone I know in particular!) but I would rather you carry more and not drink it than not having enough and needing it.

What to bring:

- Hiking boots

- Rain Coat required (Please bring it every week, if only to appease the sun gods)

- Water. At least 1 quart. Hiking will work up a thirst. Dehydration is a major source of hiking problems. Staying hydrated during the hikes will also help you feel better the next day.

- Headlamp or flashlight. The nights will be getting longer, but we still sometimes get out in the dark. It’ll be necessary to have one.

- ‘First Aid kit’ I will be carrying a group first aid kit in case of injury, however participants should always bring Band-Aids, moleskin, Motrin and any other such small items as they may typically need during a hike.

- Toilet paper: There are no rest areas in the woods. J

- Cancellation Policy: I plan to hike every Thursday, rain or shine. Fun is where and when you make it! However thunderstorms will cancel, or shorten, the hikes!

- Risks: As discussed previously, there are risks, from rattlesnakes and poison parsnip to deer ticks, EEE, West Nile virus and breaking your ankle, from poking your eye with a branch to heart attacks. There are also balancing benefits, like exercise and the fellowship of other hikers. That’s not to mention the simple pleasure of walking in the woods! The balance point varies for each person. It’s your choice.

- General notes:

1) No dogs are permitted on these trips.

2) Cell phones may be brought, but must be kept turned off during the hikes.

3) We will hike ‘together.’ Please plan to complete the hike with us. Light rain will not cancel the hikes. Under severe weather conditions (if it starts pouring) we, as a group, will decide to continue or head back.

4) Thunderstorms will cancel, or shorten, the trips!

5) Anyone with any medical conditions (asthma and use an inhaler, allergies and carry an Epipen, etc.) please inform me. )

6) Non-AMC members are permitted (encouraged!) to attend. (Hopefully having fun with us will encourage them/you to join. J)

7) If you wish to bring a friend, whom you know to have experience, the proper equipment, etc, just let me know a few days before the hike.

8) There are rattlesnakes and copperheads within the Blue Hills. (They are rare, but they do exist) If you are concerned about this ask me now, not if we meet one on the trail ;-)