Welcome to Littleton OUTSIDE
I’m Jim O’Neil
From the time I was a youngster I have always had a keen interest in the weather. Growing up in Acton Massachusetts, I listened to my grandparents talk about how they dealt with winter storms and summer heat during their lifetimes. I recall my father talking about how, in order to reach home during the 1938 hurricane, he literally was forced to crawl on his hands and knees at times.
Although not in its direct path, the 1953 Worcester Tornado was etched in my eight year old memory. Major hurricanes, Carol, Edna, and Diane in the 1950s are also vivid memories of my childhood. And experiencing two days of snow and wind during the Blizzard of 1978 and the virtual shutdown of everything for days following the storm is a lasting memory. My fascination with weather extremes was shaped by these experiences.
Always a lover of the outdoors, my passion for nature was heightened by visits to New Hampshire’s beautiful White Mountains where many hikes with my brothers and friends to the summits of Mount Washington and surrounding peaks were undertaken. Standing above the clouds on a rocky mountain top is a feeling like no other. Trips taken in later years to experience the grandeur of Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Yosemite National Parks were just icing on the cake.
After 41 years with the post office, I retired in 2005. No longer able to climb 4000 foot mountains, I began to explore “lower atmosphere terrain” here in my hometown of Littleton Massachusetts. I linked up with the local conservation community and have been managing the all-volunteer Littleton Trail Crew since 2011. Our crew’s work involves maintaining trails, building new trails and boardwalks, mentoring Eagle Scout projects, and monitoring over 1200 acres of conservation land for the enjoyment of all who appreciate the outdoors.
“Weather” we like it or not, we are all affected by the weather around us. Littleton OUTSIDE provides a glimpse into daily climate fluctuations to help you better prepare for your journey.
We also take a peek at what is happening in the outdoor world around Littleton. Find out about trail events, how our boardwalks are installed, what trail work is being planned, and learn about how to control invasive plant encroachment.
This website is focused on weather, nature, and land conservation
here in our hometown of Littleton, Massachusetts.
Take a look around! I hope you find something you like!
“And I dream of the vast deserts, the forests, and all of the wilderness of our continent, wild places that we should protect as a precious heritage for our children and for our children’s children. We must never forget that it is our duty to protect this environment.”
— Nelson Mandela
