Solstice Walkers Celebrate Longest Day of the Year With Dusky Hike

Locals decided to soak up every ounce of sunshine during Tuesday's summer solstice with a two-mile walk through Seekonk Meadows and the Charles Mariam Farm. The outing, hosted by the Ten River Watershed Council, provides beautiful sights as the trail passes Central and Gameno Pond. 

The summer solstice, also referred to as "midsummer," is the day of the year containing the longest period of daylight when the earth's relative axis is most inclined to the sun.

"They say that June 21st is the longest day of the year. But that's not true, it's still 24-hours," joked the hike leader Ben Cote, as he welcomed a large crowd to the woodsy gathering last Tuesday.

The council is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve the river and its surrounding woodlands. It was founded by its president, Keith Gonsalves. The idea hit him while navigating the river's beauty.

"I always used to kayak in these waters - and one time I just thought, 'Hey, what's in the woods over there?'"

He then decided to get a group together to blaze some trails for recreational activities and to protect the forests. 

Cote, a member of the Trails Committee, was happy with the crowd's turnout. According to Cote, the next outing will be the Harvest Moon Walk scheduled for  Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at Bridgeham Farm.

To find out more about The Ten Mile River Watershed Council, go to their Web site.