Fisherville Brook, Exeter

Sunday, January 10

Fisherville Brook was clearly my most hiked property in 2009. It's beautiful, convenient, and accessible. When I first walked it in May I knew it would make a great Cub Scout hike. And it did.

Every year we do a January hike, and every January there is a boy who thinks a spring jacket and tennis sneakers are appropriate winter hiking attire. Last year it was a fifteen year old sibling. I have a warning in the flier, but this year I decided to emphasize the point. The high temperature was expected to be 27 and I cautioned the parents to make sure they were prepared. They responded in droves. By not attending.

Five boys, my three and two others, hiked the Blue and Orange loop on the south side of the property. The weather was crisp, clear, and cold, but luckily there was little wind. The snow was not too fresh so animal prints were not as clear as they were last January, but the going wasn't as tough either. There was some complaining, but no real problems. The scouts that attended were prepared and everyone enjoyed themselves.

I made a ton of hot chocolate because I didn't know how many to expect. Suffice to say, we had a ton left over. Shortly after returning to our car, some people with small children exited the trail. One boy came up to us and asked for hot chocolate. He told him to ask his parents, who said no. I approached them and said how we had way more than we could use and offered hot chocolate to everyone. Happily they took us up on it.

These winter hikes teach some important lessons. First, it give a child practice in preparing for the weather. A Boy Scout is told he must "Be Prepared", but before that can happen, he needs practice. Also, all of us are tempted to spend the winter indoors, sheltered from the world. There is no need for this. Winter blues effects many of us, myself included. An excursion like this allows us to engage winter, and not fear it. And getting children into the outdoors is so very important. It's very disheartening that so many chose to stay indoors.