The latest from the Gang ... 

An absolutely beautiful day awaited 18 TOHG members as we met along the Merrimack River in Newburyport for our ride to Plum Island.  We passed numerous art sculptures and installations along the trail as we rode along part of the Clipper City Rail Trail before getting onto the on road portion of our ride. Sadly the three penguins we’ve seen in previous years were nowhere to be found today. Perhaps they left for cooler climes?  We continued past Plum Island Airport and then headed to the beach at the north end of the island where we stopped and wiggled our toes in the sand. Next, we stopped for a photo op (kindly taken by another visitor) at the nearby lighthouse. 

We finished our ride at Cathy A’s house where we stopped for beverages and a bite to eat. A great ending to a wonderful ride.

Alan U

Eight Gang members spent the morning exploring the Hundred Acre Cove area in Barrington, RI - a new location for many of us.  Fortunately, the weather was favorable.  There was some cloud cover and a slight breeze making it quite pleasant for an August trip.  Currents weren’t too strong either…overall, an excellent day for a paddle!  There were plenty of opportunities for bird sightings as we went, particularly Egrets, which were abundant.  There were also many Osprey nests along the route and one large Osprey was spotted high in a tree and another one was on its nest.  On the negative side, Tina and Laurie were disappointed to see invasive Spotted Lanternflies on the water, especially since we didn’t know they could float/swim!  

That aside, it was great to catch up with old friends and to welcome new club members to the group!

Laurie W

Along the Trail in Hudson

Despite mixed weather forecasts, 25 TOHG members decided to throw caution to the wind and gather for our bike ride. We rode about 1 1/2 miles on the Bruce Freeman Trail to the intersection with The Mass Central Rail Trail at the Diamond in Sudbury. Eventually this trail will lead from Boston to Northampton, a distance of over 11 miles.

The portion we rode on was mostly suburban and wooded and skirted the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. At about 7 miles into our trip it passed through a large marsh adorned with lots of pink wildflowers. Continuing on our ride we passed into Hudson where we stopped at The Vintage Cafe for coffee and the best strawberry Irish scones with clotted cream. A great treat and a nice send off before our return to Sudbury. 

Alan U

The ride included Wompatuck State Park and Whitney Rail Spur with stops at the Aaron River Reservoir, Mt. Blue Spring, Holly Pond, and JJ's Dairy Stand in Cohasset for some award winning Gifford's Ice Cream. An enjoyable time!

Dick R

The kayaking trip on the Charles River in Boston turned out to be fun, easy, and an urban-type experience.  Five members rented kayaks, including Kimm and Kenn, who rented a double-kayak. This paddle offers a choice to set out to the right towards the city or to the left. We paddled towards the city , paddling under several bridges approaching downtown Boston.

After the paddle, we devoured home-made lunches at the nearby picnic tables, while enjoying a chance to get to know each other better.  Everyone had a good time, so they said!

Next year we plan to alternate direction on the Charles River, so it will be more of a nature experience. Ultimately, it will be the trip leader’s choice.

Sandy S

Sunshine, a cool breeze, and no humidity were the conditions to greet the members who came to the Summer Picnic.  Our day began with a bike ride led by Alan, which was so invigorating that the bikers took longer than 2 hours to return.  Then the walkers led by Meredith took their turn to also enjoy the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and the woods bordering the path. Lots of socializing was enjoyed by everyone who also found the hors d'oeuvres from cheese and crackers to cherries and grapes as well as chips provided by members quite delightful.  Then we were onto the main entrees provided by Stevie's Cafe of Hudson, Ma.  From beef brisket to pulled pork, and grilled boneless chicken pieces, all plates were full of these meats. Also, on the buffet table were Baked Beans, Barley Salad, Cucumber Salad, and grilled summer vegetables topped off by delicious corn muffins. To finish our meal, we headed to the dessert table to indulge in raspberry-rhubarb pie, lemon bars, frosted brownies and cookies.
No one went home hungry!  But the day ended, not with food, but with more mixing and mingling to catch up with friends not seen in a while. Thus, the summer picnic achieved its goal to bring Gang members together in a delightful setting! Ellen W.

Bike Ride Before the Picnic: About 20 TOHG members decided to take advantage of the good weather as we met at NARA Park for our annual picnic. The sun was shining, the temperature was comfortable and we had some nice breezes as we headed south on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail towards Sudbury. This is a very scenic stretch as we rode past the ruins of an 18th-19th century pencil factory, the field where the Mass State Police keep their horses, the now closed Concord State Prison, through West Concord, various historic sites, and more. Our terminus was what is known as “The Diamond” where the Bruce Freeman Trail bisects with the Mass Central Trail in Sudbury. The trail will eventually extend to Framingham and beyond. But for now a 23 mile round trip ride was enough of a ride for us.  Alan U

Walk  Before the Picnic: Eight members of TOHG met an hour before the official start of the annual picnic and took a leisurely two mile walk along the tree-shaded Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Acton.  We arrived back at the covered picnic area just in time for the caterer to arrive.  Looking forward to next year.  Meredith P

On a bright June morning the West Mystery Group met in Concord for a prelude to the nation's birthday.   We began with a talk and walk led by a National Park Service Ranger at the Old North Bridge. We visited and learned about the Bridge and the surrounding plaques and statues.  The Ranger detailed what happened on April 19th over 250 years ago, and why and how the phrase "the shot heard 'round the world " came into being. 

Following the Ranger's presentation we went to the Old Manse  for a private tour where we learned about the people who had lived there and the events that occurred during their residency. 

Our last stop was lunch at the historical Colonial Inn on the  square in Concord. 

A most enjoyable outing with sunshine, friendship and history lessons. 

Jan G

A warm summer day awaited 15 Gang members as we met at the Bedford Depot to bike to Alewife Station in Cambridge, 20 miles round trip on one of the most popular bikeways in New England. 

Most of the trail fortunately was shaded as we left Bedford, crossed Route 128 and then rode through sunny Lexington centre. Lots of other bikers and walkers had the same idea as we did. From Lexington we picked up some more shade as we rode through Arlington, stopping at Spy Pond first a group photo. Once reached Alewife Joel Snider took us on a scenic diversion along boardwalks crossing the Little River in Cambridge and lots of aquatic and native plants along the route. 

On our return we stopped for lunch and coffee before finishing our ride at our start in Bedford. 

Alan U

It’s officially summer and 18 Gang members had a beautiful early summer bike ride on the Neponset River Greenway. Our ride started at Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester and headed towards Milton and Dorchester Lower Mills. We rode along the river before following the old fashioned trolley cars towards Mattapan. 

Reversing course we stopped for coffee at Flat Black in Dorchester before cycling past the old Bakers Chocolate Building, marshes and then towards UMass Boston, the Edward M Kennedy Institute for the US Senate and the Commonwealth Museum in South Boston 

We stopped at a food stand on Carson Beach for a bite to eat and ice cream before ending our ride back at Pope John Paul II Park

Alan U

A wonderful group of 12 bikers and 16 walkers showed up at Mary's, and they lucked up with the  weather.

A huge thank you to Gaille A and Kathleen B for stepping up to lead the 20-mile ride with 10 riders.  They had big shoes to fill taking over for Al G!  Gaille lead the ride and Kathleen was the sweep. 

Kathy White and Mary did the 10-mile ride.  Both rides were shady and lovely; and both rides had wonderful ice cream stops – Kimballs and Great Brook Farms.  T

Everybody made a bee line home for the potluck.  We had a great variety of food including vegan and gluten free!  You can see by the picture that we didn’t have enough food as usual, but more came after the picture was taken!

Thank you to Meredith for leading the walk.

Mary W

In Billerica Veteran's Park

It turned out to be a warm and sunny day for the walk in the Ralph Hill section of the North Billerica Veterans Park.  Sixteen TOHG members enjoyed  the 2 mile walk through the wooded area.  Afterwards we joined the bike group and others at Mary’s house for a potluck lunch and lots of conversation.

Hedy P