Peaked Mountain, Monson, MA

What a wonderful hike! There are two parking areas, one at the Miller Forest Tract and one at the Peaked Mountain Tract. The second was our choice for our walk. We picked up a map, unusual for us but serendipitous as there are a lot of well networked trails. They are blazed but also numbered at key intersections, which was great. We first headed to the "Valley View" area, and after taking in a snack and a lovely vista, headed to the "Peaked Mountain" area and climbed around quite a bit taking in the view from many directions. A marker indicated the mountain's highest point, and a mailbox jutted out of the side of a pine tree. A journal inside contained memories left by hikers past. A new volume is needed, so if you take this hike you could bring a notebook with you to leave there.

The fact that this park is borded by a wildlife sanctuary (and endless miles of woods) showed itself in the forms of many frogs, croaking away and leaping among the reeds of a small pond we encountered. A larger pond was visible from the top of the mountain, located in the Miller Forest Tract of land. A magical encounter with a fawn was the highlight of our day. For several minutes my family clustered at the edge of a trail, whispering with excitement and peering into the eyes of this graceful and solemn little guy. None of my photos came out, naturally.

This summit was a long hike for our boys, who are quite hardy. I wouldn't choose it for kids who are starting to get used to hiking. But it wasn't too long- we'll do it again in a minute!

Peaked Mountain

Westview Farms and Creamery, Monson, MA

This was a nice spot to take the kids for a morning. It had a few things going for it and the biggest one for me was the incredible view. For my children, it was the goats. There were so many goats and kids in the enclosure, of all different colorations, all ages. They were some of the healthiest, best smelling, and beautiful goats I have ever seen. For only 25 cents each I bought my older boys wafer cones filled with animal feed (the goats can eat the cone, too).

We used the restroom inside the restaurant (totally clean, totally well stocked), but there was a porta potty provided outside, with - get this- a porta sink, which I have only really seen before at Phish shows. It's an awesome convenience, too bad there isn't a porta sink for every porta potty. The large lawn held picnic tables and various benches lined the sides of the lawn. The playground was clean, though as you can see from the photos, not the modern type.

We packed a lunch, but observed the protocol of "no picnic baskets" on the lawn. We just ate in the car. I was pretty disappointed about that, to be honest. But as the sign indicates, it is a full service restaurant and they do want to make money from their business and grounds.

Next time we'll sample the homemade ice cream, and eat it at the picnic tables. On a visit that does not happen, as I pointed out repeatedly to my eldest, before 11 AM. (Ice cream for breakfast? Check out Flayvors of Cook Farm, who hold ice cream breakfasts monthly in the summer).

During conversation with a couple who live nearby, I found out that the rolling fields in the background of the photos above are pumpkin patches. The large parking area and copious seating are all filled to capacity, I'm told, during the autumn season. I look forward to it.

Westview Farms

Quaboag Hills Region