One of my favorite places to hike is Shaven Crown. In the summertime, the ferns grow waist-high and the forest is cool and inviting. And, no place is more exciting in the spring than the Heron Rookery off of Hoveys Pond Road! Be sure to bring binoculars as you watch the herons return to their nests. It is quite a sight. — Mary Ellen Iorio

In 1975, when I moved from Lawrence Road to Cross Road, little did I realize that I would be in the center of the Boxford Village trail system that leads to the four compass points.

Orient yourself at the Library (I live behind the Boxford Village Library). Head east to enter the trail leading to the 100 Acre Woods, which leads to Bare Hill Road, cross over Route 95 and enter the Pye Brook trail to Perkins Woods, and into Cleaveland Farm State Forest and the Bay Circuit trail in Willowdale.

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From the Library, head west through the parking lot of Wayne's Store and the Community Center and enter the trail easement across Middleton Road to First Church and the Samuel Bixby Way trail easements and into Haynes Woods. This leads to a trail around the Haynes Hay field. Or you can take the trail that parallels Main Street to Berry Patch, Erickson Woods, Lord Woods, and the trail easement to Brookview Road, Windrush Farm trail to Stonecleave Road, Towne Pond, ECGB Price's Woods and the Boxford State Forest and meet up with the Bay Circuit Trail.

From the Library, follow the Bay Circuit Trail south down Elm Street to Topsfield Road, Cahoon Road, Boy Scout Park, Lockwood-Fish Brook trail easements to Lockwood Forest and the Phillips Wildlife Sanctuary and Boxford State Forest.

From the Library, follow the Bay Circuit Trail north up Elm Street to Chapman Way, Boren Lane, Lowe Pond, Round Top Park, Kelsey Arboretum, and Georgetown-Rowley State Forest.

There you have it. I can leave my house and walk towards any of the four compass points. The trail easement from the Library that goes east, passes next to my house (20 Cross Road). I love seeing runners, equestrians, children, walkers, cross country skiers and snowshoers on my trail easement. Please wave and say "Hello" if I'm in the yard when you pass by and say "Hi" to the two horses who will probably be watching you from their pastures behind my house. They enjoy seeing you pass by. — Nancy Merrill

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