The Middleton Stream Team Family Fall Hike started with a short visit to the historical plaque now installed on the famous Curtis Oak Tree on Peabody Street. The weather was perfect and we had about thirty five participants, including excited children and many young adults! As we walked to the entrance of the hike on Thomas Road, our leaders, Pike Messenger and Peter Goodwin, explained some of the history of Thomas Road. Warren Evans drove his horse drawn sleighs down this road and loved it so much, he collected all the legal documents making this road (which can appear to be a private driveway) a public way for all to enjoy. This trail is a treasure that leads to Bald Hill in Boxford and is simple to follow even for beginning hikers. The entrance is next to the river and the group of hikers also got a history lesson as we passed by the privately owned barn, which began as a box factory many years ago.

Crunching through leaves, we continued along, savoring the sounds, smells and beauty of the forest. Peter, a surveyor by trade, showed us the town marker granite post, a huge “M” on one side and “B” on the other. A short rest in a most interesting cemetery, with graves from the Revolutionary war period, gave the folks time to socialize. It is amazing how easy it is to make friends when you share an interest in history and Nature, with a capital “N”! We backtracked to a side trail, taking a detour with direction from the Stream Team President Sandy Rubchinuk, up and over a hill as the beavers have immersed the original trail under water. Quickly rejoining the original trail, the leaders expertly brought us to Ross Lane, where most of us had parked our cars. It was a fun, active, educational, and social hike, we hope that many of you hike this trail often on your own. Warren Evans and his work horses would be happy to know you are enjoying it. The Middleton Stream Team is already planning the Annual Winter Hike, the public hikes are always free and open to all! Watch this space!