A couple years ago Barbara letterboxed at Maudslay State Park
in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Formerly a country estate
dating back to 1805, the park is famous for its remnants of formal gardens, as well
as, one of the largest naturally-occurring stands of mountain laurel in Massachusetts. Barbara
thought some day she would have to go back there when the mountain laurel and
rhododendron were in bloom.
Well this past week we were staying just a few towns away. A
friend of Barbara’s graciously let us stay at her house in the North Shore area of Massachusetts for the week while they
were on vacation. We house SAT, dog SAT, and SAT our trailer in their driveway.
It was a nice change from campsites. Thanks, Kathy!
We decided to hike around Maudslay State Park hoping things might be in bloom.
As it turned out it was the perfect time for the mountain laurel. We enjoyed the hike there: lots and lots of mountain laurel in bloom, views of the Merrimack River, rhododendron but none blooming, remnants of various types of gardens with a smattering of booming flowers, and the foundation of the former house.
While house-sitting, Barbara also letterboxed close by at Bradley Palmer State Park with a friend. They found many boxes even bushwhacking through dense ferns for one particularly challenging box. Here's a butterfly we spotted.
After our jaunt on the North Shore Bill and Barbara headed back to central Massachusetts camping one night at a private campground. The plus in staying here was a delightful mile-long trail around the pond. We enjoyed the hike and seeing even more mountain laurel.
