The park is situated on the site of the winter camp of one of the most famous Sakonnet Indian sachems, Queen Awashonks, who was the leader of this tribe during the 1670s. After a substantial snowfall, this park is inaccessible for cars (as its drive does not get plowed), but during the rest of the year, it is freely accessible and offers parking on the grass at the end of the drive that leads into the site (another reason to go before it snows!). Wilbour Woods, on Little Compton’s Swamp Road (near its juncture with Route 77, on the northeastern side of the road, marked by a wooden sign) offers history, mystery, lovely scenery and a 1.2-mile walking trail loop. So here are two short hikes, both in Little Compton, Rhode Island - at one you can enjoy the spare beauty of bare trees along a pristine brook at the other, a beautiful sand beach along with trails through the dunes and views of farmland and a pond. And since the weather is on the cooler side, we don’t feel too sorry to come inside soon, perhaps to a great meal with friends, or to curl up with a novel by the fireside. It is perhaps the best time of year to catch a great sunset - since the sun sets so early, and the skies tend to be smog-free. There is something about the low winter sunlight this time of year that induces a contemplative mood. Although initially we might feel sad to see the leaves fall, if we look a little more attentively, we may begin to appreciate the beauty of seeing the “bones” of the trees, and of our winter landscapes before they are blanketed in white. Nevertheless, pre-snow winter is a great time to take a hike. A dusting of snow can certainly transform a drab scene into a page from a fairy tale or holiday card, but chances are, with the weather we’ve been having so far (I’ve still got zinnias blooming in my garden!), we may have to wait a bit longer before taking out our skis or snow shoes.
As we move closer to the Winter Solstice, and our various “festivals of light,” many of us hope to see our local landscapes dressed in white.
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