East Over Conservation Lands

East Over Conservation Lands is a group of nature reserves joined together by miles of trails in the towns of Marion and Rochester.

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Benny was getting frustrated with my pacing around the house. I had made the dreadful mistake of checking the news, and it was making me anxious and irritable. My nervous stomping was driving Benny crazy, and, having enough with my exasperating shenanigans, he told me to go take a hike.

So, I did. But of course, he wanted to join in on the adventure. We decided to check out the East Over Conservation Lands in nearby Marion and Rochester. I had visited the East Over Reservation in Rochester, but that was in the year 1 BB (Before Benny), so I figured, well, why not go back.

Beginning the hike

After we arrived at the trailhead on County Road in Marion, I knew that this wasn’t quite the same place that I had visited before. Looking at a map, I saw that we could walk to the East Over Reservation if we really wanted to, but I decided that I wanted to head in the other direction to check out something new. Benny didn’t seem to mind. He’s nonchalant like that.

Or, maybe he was just so happy that I was getting out of the house that he just didn’t care where we went hiking.

Anyway, we started our journey by walking over some wooden pathways. I could already feel the peacefulness of the woods calming me down, and the walk had only just begun. Would my peace last for the rest of the hike? Well, you’ll have to read on and find out.

Remnants of New England Past

For those of you wondering where we headed off to first – if you’re looking at a map of the hike, we headed towards the part of the East Over Reservation (not to be confused with East Over Conservation Lands) on the Marion/Rochester town line.

Along the way, we saw remnants of New England’s past. If you’ve been joining us for a while, you’ll know that we love remnants of the past, and that we’ve enjoyed places such as the Old Stone Church in Boylston and White’s Factory in Acushnet. Unlike in Acushnet, however, I was glad that I didn’t have to tell Benny to not run around in the ruins.

Well, that happy thought soon flew the coop. We came upon a small, old stone bridge crossing a babbling brook, and what does he want to do?

If you guessed jump into the water, you’re right! It’s just the right size for a small bear, and it was just warm enough to tempt him to jump in. I couldn’t even stop him. When he finally came out, the water made him cold, so he jumped into my bag…and then the bag got wet.

Because it was so warm, I let it slide. But when we came across this old foundation and he wanted to get out, I didn’t let him. My bag was already wet, I didn’t want it to get muddy too.

Benny, afraid of reigniting my earlier crankiness, said, “You’re right, Bob. I’ll stay in the bag today!”

It may be tough to see the foundation in these pictures, but it’s there. Benny’s not in any of these photos because I wouldn’t let him get out of the bag.

Perhaps I was too tough on him, but I hope you understand. We all have those days. Thankfully, the tranquility of the forest was seeping into my soul. (Wow, I sound like a hippie! You know what, I’m not embarrassed.)

Would Benny stay out of trouble for the rest of hike? I’m pretty sure you know the answer to that.

At the end of the trail with the foundation, we found some cranberry bogs. Benny suggested that we buy that house you see in the far distance.

Considering current house prices in Massachusetts, I’m sure it would go for a measly $450,000. I told Benny, “Someday.”

“That means no,” he replied.

While finishing up this trail loop, we come across a tee-pee, just like the ones we saw at the Natural Resources Trust of Easton.

“This a great tee-pee!” Benny exclaimed, as he hopped out of my bag and ran into the shelter’s shade.

“I’m so glad you like it,” I replied. “It’s a lot less expensive than that other house we saw. And there’s more of a breeze!”

Benny just stuck his tongue out at me.

The Second Part of the Hike

After finishing up this part of our adventure in the East Over Conservation Lands, we started off in another direction. After a mile or so of hiking, we came across part of the Sippican River.

Benny thought he saw some monster tracks, but upon further inspection, we realized that they were just deer tracks.

“Maybe they’re monster deer,” I said, trying to reassure him that he was right.

He stuck his tongue out at me again, but then said, “At least you’re starting to feel better.”

Note: For those of you hiking with younger folks, this part of the trail was a little harder for us to manage. To our shame, we had to backtrack a couple of times. We did not, and I repeat, did not, get lost. Just please don’t ask Benny for his opinion of the situation.

Soon, we found nearby cranberry bogs. These were the same cranberry bogs that we saw earlier, but from the other side.

Obviously, it was time for a break and photo op.

At this point in the hike, we had sore feet. (Or, more accurately, I was getting sore feet, as Benny was in my bag for most of the time.) We considered continuing our hike further. On the map we saw Hathaway Pond, and I really wanted to get there. I love hikes that end with a water view.

However, it was not meant to be. At a certain point, I looked up at the path and realized that we had already walked 5 miles, and my legs were starting to revolt. Perhaps I need new boots. Benny said I need to walk more. Whatever the case may be, it was at this point that I made the decision to turn around.

Remember, when you’re out hiking, walking, or biking, listen to your body. If you know it’s time to turn around, turn around. Going back and finishing this hike is on my “things to do” list, and when I do, I’ll write about our adventure and add the link here.

Benny didn’t protest, and I soon understood why. We took a break near some bushes, and he started running off. “Oh no, not again…” I thought.

“I’m just here, Bob!”

Benny had found nearby blueberry bushes.

“Benny! Those aren’t our bushes! This is private property! The owners don’t mind our walking here, but you’re eating their blueberries!”

“Bob, I’m a bear. Eating berries in the woods is what I do!” Benny replied.

Needless to say, I pulled him out of the blueberry bushes. Thankfully no one else was around to witness this incident.

Dragging him out, I asked, “Would you want random people to eat the tomatoes on our tomato plants back home?”

He seemed to understand the logic in that and frowned. “No…” he admitted.

After the blueberry bush situation, we headed back to the trail head on County Street.

I was incredibly grateful for the East Over Conservation Lands that day. Walking helped clear my mind and forget the woes of the world. For a few hours, it was just me, the woods, stonewalls, cranberry bogs, blue skies, and, of course, my little bear friend.

For more information on lands managed by the Trustees of the Reservation, check out their site.

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