The latest from the Gang ... 

Six hikers walked through part of the Breakheart Reservation in Saugus MA. We walked up Hemlock Road to Flume Road, then Spring Lake Road ending at the beach at the Pine Tops Road.  We then took a much more challenging route (Fox Run Trail) back to the visitor center. It was a perfect day for hiking—sunny skies and temperature about 70 degrees.  The trails were all shady, but there were several hills and huge rocks.  

Breakheart is a very large area with a variety of trails, a beach, and a visitor center.  All are  maintained by the State of Massachusetts. It has an entry in Wakefield as well as the Saugus entry where we started.

After the hike, several of us went to the Istanbul Diner where we enjoyed a variety of Turkish sandwiches and plates. 

Neal S

First Ride

More than three dozen TOHG members headed north for our now annual trip to Burlington VT from Saturday to Wednesday.

Many of our members stopped at the Quechee VT Highland Games where Alan U was working the Scots Charitable Society tent before continuing on to the Burlington Best Western Windjammer, which once again was our home during our stay.

Our adventures began for those bicycling on Sunday with a 15 mile round trip ride on The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail from St. Albans to Sheldon VT. This portion of the trail was newly regraded and offered a beautiful ride through the Vermont countryside and woods before ending in Sheldon.

On Monday many of us gathered at the Ethan Allen Homestead in Burlington for a short ride on one of the Burlington Wildways Trails.  After our ride several members toured the homestead and grounds.  Later in the day we embarked on the Spirit of Ethan Allen for a 1 ½ hour long narrated cruise of Lake Champlain. The scenery of the Adirondacks to the west and the Burlington skyline made for a beautiful cruise while we learned about the history and ecology of the Lake and its environs.  A buffet dinner at Zachary's in South Burlington followed where we all had a chance to get caught up on events and make new friends.

Tuesday was the premier event as most of us rode on the Island Line Trail from Oakledge Park in Burlington to Allenholm Farm on South Hero Island. To say that this is a spectacular trail would be to understate it. The trail not only parallels Lake Champlain, it also runs right into it with a causeway that crosses from the mainland portion to South Hero Island.  A bike ferry took us across a short cut in the causeway to the north side where we continued our ride. We ended at Allenholm Farm, where we stopped for lunch and maple cremee ice cream cones.

Wednesday brought the only rain we experienced during our trip.  A few of us took our chances and stopped in Stowe on the way home to ride the 5.5 mile long Stowe Recreation Path.  Yes, we did experience a short rain shower about halfway through our ride but the scenery and ride itself were amazing.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end.  However, this was tempered by a stop at Ben & Jerry's for ice cream on our way back home.  Needless to say it was the perfect ending for a perfect trip!

Alan U

Last Ride

Finally, finally, finally!!! The heat and humidity were chased away and 8 Gang members had a perfect biking day for our Topsfield to Peabody ride. This is a smooth, flat, stone dust trail about 15 miles round trip. We started near the Topsfield Fairgrounds and rode as far as Brooksby Village in Peabody. On the return leg we stopped in downtown Danvers for coffee and a bite to eat before biking back to Topsfield. A very enjoyable ride after several weeks of hot and steamy weather.
Alan

We had an amazing time on the Ipswich River. This is our first time (in the last few years) padding during the summer rather than the fall. We saw a lot of turtles, ducks, and a few other birds. The plants were just amazing especially the cardinal flowers and lots of different lilies. We had to contend with a couple of downed limbs and a beaver dam, but we made it to the horse bridge. Ipswich River is always a treat!

We beat the crowd to the Clam Box and enjoyed great conversation and yummy seafood. A good time was had by all.

Kimm

The Western Mystery Group had their July outing at Mirror Lake in Devens MA. After having to reschedule due to inclement weather, eight members of our group were able to attend. The weather wasn’t the best beach day but we had mild temps and no showers. There were few bathers in attendance so we almost had the place to ourselves. Most folks enjoyed their lunch/snacks while bringing each other up to date on their own recent happenings.

Al G

The group braced the heat and toured Americas Stonehenge in Salem NH!

What is America's Stonehenge?

Built by a Native American Culture or a migrant European population? No one knows for sure. A maze of man-made chambers, walls and ceremonial meeting places, at over 4,000 years old America's Stonehenge is most likely the oldest man-made construction in the United States.

Like Stonehenge in England, America's Stonehenge was built by ancient people well versed in astronomy and stone construction. It has been determined that the site is an accurate astronomical calendar. It was, and still can be, used to determine specific solar and lunar events of the year.

Various inscriptions have been found throughout the site including Ogham, Phoenician and Iberian Punic Script. Dr. Barry Fell of Harvard University did extensive work on the inscriptions found at the site. They are detailed in his book America B.C.

The group started the tour with a brief video explaining the site then were off to explore the many areas ending at the main site. The group was very engaged and followed a map which explained the structures and their possible function.

A major question that remains unanswered is who built the structures???

After the experience we had a relaxing and refreshing lunch and lively conversations at the Old School Bar & Grill.

Pat A 

Our paddle started by entering the kayaks from a dock, something that wasn’t familiar.  We had assistance from the owner and launched.  Everything went smoothly for about an hour and then the wind picked up and clouds rolled in. We had some raindrops, which cooled us off. We headed back to the dock and just as we returned, the clouds blew over and the sun came back out!

Joan H-B

Thirteen members started with a visit to the small museum where we climbed four stories up the tower to view the granite quarry below and the Atlantic Ocean. The museum also provided a history of the mining of granite in northeast Massachusetts as well as military role this area played. 

We then walked the trip around the old quarry now filled with water and went out to the overlook which provided a view up the coast to Maine (not that visible because of a haze) as well as other local sites. We also did a short circuit down toward the beach which provided a view of the Searocks area. 

 After the walk, we ate lunch outdoors at the Lobster Pool which was next to the beach.  A couple hikers remembered going to this restaurant many years ago. 

Neal S

We had 15 riders on the beautiful Sunday morning.  Because of the rescheduled ride, we had no leader for the twenty mile ride.  After a little kerfuffle, three used the GPS to find their way to the Bruce Freeman trail. 

The ten milers were delayed a bit, (another kerfuffle) but finally took off and enjoyed the beautiful woodlands, and landscaping of the Carlisle homes.  There is a turtle crossing sign at the vernal pool area, and after all these years, we finally saw a turtle crossing the road! 

The rides were a little disorganized, but back at the “ranch” we were very organized with the eating part.  We had a lot of newcomers on this ride having a lot of camaraderie in the back yard.  I enjoyed meeting you all. Hopefully the disorganization will not discourage you from joining in future activities.

Mary W

Seven adventurous TOHG hikers set out from the former Crocker barn on Jewell Hill to cross the high meadows while watching a tractor raking grass into windrows before baling into hay. Despite the bright sky and warm temperature, the view over to Mount Wachusett had the skiers among us wondering what fun next winter might bring. After hiking up to the top of Jewell Hill, we gazed far into the distance and imagined seeing the Boston skyline through the distant haze. On the way down, the group marveled at the blooming laurel bushes while the dogs relished wading through a nearby stream lapping up the cool water. The group enjoyed lunch on a patio watching golfers coming down the final hole at The Woods of Westminster golf course.

Mo S