Trail Wood Finally

Finally, Earl by Earl Plato

On Canada’s birthday I walked the paths of Trail Wood, the preserved home and acres of famed nature writer, Edwin Way Teale and his wife, Nellie. I had planned this trip to Hampton, Connecticut for some years. Here on Sunday, July 1st, 2007 we, wife Elaine, daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Neil Cudney, on a beautiful sunny day, walked Ed Teale’s hallowed grounds. Our guide and caretaker of the 170 plus acres, Vern Pursley, showed us Teale’s study and collection of his extensive works. Vern took us outside and we walked Veery Lane to Teale’s l little writing cabin, named Summer House. With my gimpy knees I stepped carefully over the many tree roots. We walked along Fern Brook. The path here was blanketed on either side with Common ferns. We looked out on a beautiful pond. I took a snap of Vern our guide. No mosquitoes or black flies. Just a beautiful summer day. Pickerel weed was in bloom at the pond’s edge. We walked back through Firefly Meadow and ascended the hill to Teale’s cabin. A sulphur and a fritillary butterflies accompanied us. I took a shot of a huge Catalpa tree just to the north of the building. Vern took a shot of the four of us. Finally I did it.
Vern Pursley wasn’t finished with us. Kindly he lead us by his car to the Audubon Society headquarters in nearby Pomfret. Here I purchased three Teale books. Wandering Through Winter, Dune Boy, and A naturalist Buys an Old Farm. Mission accomplished, Earl.