Reporting from the stunning Indian Hill Conservation Area, specifically Cherry Hill Reservoir, located in West Newbury, Massachusetts. A three-hundred and fifteen acre Indigenous site and protected area, with interconnected trails, forests, meadows, and wetlands. A wonderful retreat for hiking, birdwatching, dog walking, studying nature, photographing, and, in the winter, snowshoeing.

Originally, Indian Hill was an Algonquian agricultural village, where native people grew squash, pumpkins, beans, and sunflowers, with edible tubers, native to New England.

The Cherry Hill Reservoir, which contributes to the Merrimack River, via the Artichoke River, was named by explorer Samuel de Champlain, in 1603, when he penned about the sunflower tubers tasting like artichoke, and the rest is history!

Today, along the Cherry Hill Reservoir’s graveled road, you can see a Christmas tree field, part of a hundred, plus, year-old, family-run farm, Maple Crest Farm. The Christmas trees are newly planted and will not be ready until 2029! Maple Crest Farm is a multi-function tree farm, pavilion, outdoor space, and has seasonal, pick-your-own pumpkins, gourds, strawberries, and blueberries.

Autumn is upon us and there is no better time to explore New England!