I am forever trying to attain the perfect autumn afternoon. Driving on a serene, windy back road lined with stone walls while the foliage is in full colorful display is what I strive for. Warm apple cider, a hayride through an orchard, and the smell of wood-burning on the first chilly day is what I have in mind. With two little kids, a full-time job, and finicky New England weather, this postcard-worthy image of fall is typically more daydream than reality. This year, the Haunted Hike to the Horses fit the bill for an ideal fall afternoon.
Over the past few years though, fall has happened to me unexpectedly. I often refer back to a weekend away with friends last year in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, as one example. The perfect mix of weather, exploration, activities, and companionship made this weekend one not easily forgotten, and it happened to occur when the Berkshires were blooming reds and yellows. This year, I inadvertently stumbled upon another special seasonal event, the Haunted Hike to the Horses.
Although I post these Backyard Road Trips articles on social media, I do not spend too much time on different platforms. My wife is a notorious Facebook scroller though. While the kids watch their nighttime program, she’s scrolling away. Between pictures of cute puppies, recipes, and political commentary, to her credit, she finds fun family events. This is why we went on the Haunted Hike to the Horses.
Independent Fermentations
Independent Fermentations is a small craft brewery located about a five-minute drive from my home in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Its location in the Camelot Drive Industrial Park in Plymouth is an easy commute. IndieFerm, as they are known, was my go-to brewery of choice when my son Danny was pint-sized. The taproom is quite small, with a few bar seats, and scattered selection of tables and chairs. When he was in his car carrier, many Friday afternoons my wife and I would meet friends and enjoy a flight or two of their beer. Some of my favorites included their flagship, the Honey Tripel, as well as Boat for Sale Pale Ale, and Rye and Sage Saison.
Once Danny left the car carrier, he was too mobile for the small IndieFerm. I would stop in once in a great while to get a growler fill but no longer frequented the establishment. Over the ensuing years I stayed semi-apprised of their offerings. When I was an IndieFerm barfly, they opted not to have IPAs very often in their libation rotation. Since then though, they have branched into this direction but still have a well-rounded selection of brews available, including many styles that most breweries overlook.
IndieFerm put on Haunted Hike to the Horses with proceeds of this walk to go directly to the Black Feather Horse Rescue. It sounded fun. I just didn’t know how much fun the rest of my crew and I would have.
The Haunted Hike to the Horses
We met a few friends at IndieFerm before the start of the hike on a Sunday in mid-October. Arriving on the later side, I didn’t have time to use a free drink ticket before the hike. Good news when Paul Nixon, co-owner of IndieFerm with his wife, Rose, said there would be beer and kombucha available at the farm. (IndieFerm also brews kombucha and owns a homebrew supply house.)
Leaving the brewery, our group passed underneath a wind turbine and into the woods. The hike took us up, over, and through the woods on the way to the Black Feather Horse Rescue. Once there, a menagerie of animals greeted the few dozen strong group. In addition to the horses, there was an amazing looking potbelly pig, donkeys, and llamas, among other animals. Most were in stables, but the pig roamed free.
Black Feather Horse Rescue
Once at the farm, the guests were allowed to roam around with a beer in hand. I chose the Black Feather Porter since it fit the bill, and the day was crisp, good weather for a porter. The beer was quite delicious. I like my stouts and porters on the mellower but tasty side. I like a roasted taste that’s still easy to drink. This described the porter to a tee. They also had kombucha and their IPA to be Named Later, but I stuck with the porter. It really hit the spot.
Gilbert Trout Hatchery
Also on site is the Gilbert Trout Hatchery. This hatchery began in 1869, nineteen years before the first federal fish hatchery opened in Missouri. Covered streams of fish runs meandered through the land. Of course, my son, dressed in his Halloween costume as Optimus Prime, slipped in and soaked his feet. That led to a few tears but he soon recovered.
Pizza and other food were available. Halloween-themed music was playing and of course, the animals were there to visit. I was expecting to enjoy myself, but truthfully, it was one of my favorite events of the season. Given its woodsy location, the autumn trees with their changing leaves dangled on branches overhead. The ability to roam, converse and mingle with humans and animals (while socially distancing) made for a fun afternoon. It was the perfect family-friendly fall activity.
The owner and operator of both the Black Feather Horse Rescue and the Gilbert Trout Hatchery is Darlene Nickerson. Her family has been in charge of the hatchery on the property since 1912 when John C. Nickerson bought it. The Black Feather Horse Rescue was founded in 2004. Since then, Darlene has taken in abused and neglected horses and other animals, over 50 altogether. She gives back by inviting special needs and ailing children to visit the farm as a therapeutic experience. Her mini-horses she even brings out to visit with elderly adults. Truly, the work she does for the animals and the community is phenomenal.
For more information click this link to the Black Horse Feather Rescue. If you’re in the Plymouth area, keep an eye out next autumn for this walk, it’s highly recommended. For a list of all the Backyard Road Trips so far, check out the full index here.
