Exploring Amherst: The Wildlife Preserve

Snowpocalypse 2011 (Ocsnowberfest, #OccupyVal, etc.) provided me with a painful reminder of how cold, wet, and absurdMassachusetts weather is and, in contrast, how fleeting beautiful, sunny Amherst days seem.  For all of you nature-loving collegiettes™ who want to make the most of these fair (sub-fair, perhaps) temperatures before they take a turn for the worse, a hike in the wildlife preserve is a great way to shake yourself out of Frost hibernation. Here’s a list of some prime destinations. Explore before they’re buried in snow (and fallen trees?!):
 
 
Where to start: Behind the tennis courts, at the bike trail.  Heading right brings to you Northampton (make that bike trip at some point, too!). You’ll be going left.
 
 

Bird Sanctuary: The bird sanctuary is along the right side of the bike trail.  If you desire a little adventure, wear some hefty boots and you’ll be set to trek through the swamps.  Go early and you won’t miss the morning mist (7:30 Val, anyone? Didn’t know it opened that early?).  Plus, all of those glistening dew-covered spider webs are borderline magical. This one is a great date spot, especially if your date’s a morning person.
 
 
Swimming hole: Take Harvey Allen Trail off the left side of the bike path, and just keep walking.  When you think you’ve hiked so far that you must have taken the wrong trail, just keep walking some more.  If you get hungry on the way, there are honeysuckles and at least one field (maybe two?) of Queen Anne’s lace. It’s worth the hike, I promise. Also, of course, it’s a great date spot (isn’t every season bikini season?).
 
 

Tuttle Hill: Take the second trail on the left side of the bike path up to the top of the hill.  Watch the sun rise, roll down the hill, check yourself for ticks.  It’s also a great date spot (I see a trend…).
 
 
Beaver Dams: These are all the way at the end of the bike path, off of Emily Dickinson trail.  Beavers are so cool.  It’s also a great date spot, especially if he or she loves beavers!
 
 
Go out and explore before the campus starts smelling like soy sauce, and your drafty windows become your enemies.  Take a date along; what’s more romantic than the breathtaking landscape of the Pioneer Valley?