The latest from the Gang ... 

Four members of the West mystery group went to Carlson Orchards in Harvard mass to pick apples on a cloudy, but thankfully, not rainy Tuesday morning.  Each of us  came away with bags of mixed apples including ginger gold, macintosh, macoun, cortland, and honey crisp from the trees.
We then drove to the nearby, Harvard General store and enjoyed the coffee and conversation.
Meredith P.

Alan U, Kenn S, Kimm S, Joe M, Mary W, Helgard Super Senior K, Daniel Y.

Under blue skies dotted with white fluffy clouds five Gang members set out on the Londonderry Trail. The first leg of the trail was mostly wooded with several ponds and streams swollen from recent rains. We stopped at the edge of Manchester Airport and took in views of parked aircraft and the mountains beyond. 

Continuing on our ride took us past large open areas such as marshes and several commercial properties before ending at NH State Route 28 which will eventually connect with the Derry Rail Trail. And our ride was made complete as we met Mary Weinert and Joe Messina for lunch at Poor Boys Restaurant in Londonderry. 

Alan U

We had 19 riders for the ride on a picture-perfect day - sunny and warm, but not hot.  The ten-milers took off with seven riders.  Again, we meandered through the lovely scenery of Carlisle, then on the last leg of the trip we saw a street with a number of horse farms.  The picture there is  two of the horses who came right up to the fence;  seeing we had no food one of them ran off giving a little kick back with his hind feet not even posing for the picture!  The rest of the street was really beautiful. 

Again, there were a few caveats of my own making.  There was no colorful foliage, not even one red leaf. Why?  Because I put down the wrong month, September instead of October!  Please do not tell my son.  He’ll be ready to put me in the “home”. 

The 12 riders on the 20-mile ride had a very enjoyable ride as well.  I want to say a big thank you to all the 18 members that helped me set up and break down things, as I’ve had sciatica. Thanks to all of you who have suffered with sciatica for all your helpful hints on how to deal with some of the symptoms.  Thank you again Al G for leading the 20 milers again, Dan Y for always staying late to offer help cleaning up, and all the well wishes.  Thank you to Lucy McG who loaned me her electric bike, because I wouldn’t have been able to ride the 10 miles without it.  “The Gang’s All Here” especially when I need them the most. What a group we belong to.

Mary W

Kenn, Daniel, Alan, Dana, Kimm 

It was a small group of just 5 TOHG members who set off on a remarkably beautiful day (for a change) as we rode from Lowell to West Concord stopping for coffee before our return. The trail was busy with walkers and other bicyclists who all wanted to take advantage of the good weather before our next round of rain sets in. The trail is completely paved and extends about 15 miles from Lowell to the Concord/Sudbury line where work is underway to extend it to Framingham.

Alan U

In Nahant, overlooking Massachusetts Bay

Talk about a perfect day?  Labor Day was begging for bikers and picnickers. Most of our adventurers did both, but everyone had fun at this annual event. Al Galpin kindly agreed to lead fifteen bikers, who parked their cars and started at the Marblehead High School. Thirteen of them biked eleven miles to the tip of Nahant.  Eight of them glided six miles, into Swampscott.

As usual, the twenty-two-milers stopped at Red Rock Park for the view of the Swampscott beach they had just passed and for a drink of water from the public fountain. Suddenly it became a special moment:  When Kimm Sovie announced that she and Kenn had said their vows there at sunrise—5:08 in the morning—fifty years ago!

As planned for several past Labor Days, most of these bikers joined the rest of the 39 people who picnicked in the Tritschlers’ side yard. They had all brought their chairs and drinks and appetizers, salads, and desserts, according to their names in the alphabet the first letters of their last names. The hosts supplied makings for their picnic sandwiches. Everyone enjoyed many catch-up conversations. It was a perfect day.

Don and Polly

Jack McC, Joe DiP, Karen L, Mary McG, Anne W, Daniel Y, Tom S, Dana R, Gayle A, Daniel P, Maryann D, Kimm S, Maryellen D, Ilene P, Kenn S, Herta B, Marjorie O.  Judith L & Pat G are not in the picture.

Nineteen gang members came out to the Medford Condon Shell for a gorgeous day on the Mystic River.  This was the largest group we have had to date and everyone seemed to enjoy the trip even though it was quite a challenge to get to the Lower Mystic Lakes.  Half the crowd was about to quit and turn around when we finally reached the lake but the other half still had lots of energy to paddle around the lake and view the houses along the shoreline.  

We all got back safely and most gathered for a picnic and fellowship, sharing stories and wonderful desserts.

Pat G

Dan, Alan, Polly and Don-, Allan, Gail.

What a great day for a bike ride!  After a summer that saw the second highest rainfall amount in recorded six Gang members saddled up and ride from Topsfield through Wenham, Danvers and Peabody. The skies were blue and the temps were low 70s as we passed a number of interesting features on this trail. A linear solar system model which was a 2921 Eagle Scout project stretched from Topsfield into Wenham. We passed the popular Swampwalk in Wenham, granite railroad markers and railroad buildings in Danvers and ended near Brooksby Village in Danvers before our return. 

Alan U

Saturn Model

Polly modeling her ride appropiate earrings

16 outdoor culture seekers hiked through the Alnoba Woods in Kensington NH to seek and enjoy the landscape sculpture pieces done by a cadre of international artists.  We followed the excellent tour given by our very own Marina K with a lunch at the Farm at Eastman's Corner which carries on the cultural, naturalist and civic reciprocity theme with their very own sculptures and a farmstand.  We enjoyed a large choice of breakfast or lunch, under a lovely canopied seating area.  We should do this again!

Cheers,
Beverly C

Kenn, Kimm, Alan and Cathy enjoying lunch at Bob Lobster

Hazy skies ruled the day as 4 TOHG members biked the Clipper City Trail and then rode towards Plum Island for an early lunch at Bob Lobster. The Clipper City Trail has lots of unique sculptures, murals and lovely gardens making it one of the most beautiful trails in New England. 

Alan U

Janet, Sharon, Kimberly, Anne, Pat, and Dot. Taking the photo: Pat

Seven gang members weathered the impending rain and headed to Hull for a 2 hour paddle on the Weir River.  Our “birdwatcher” Kim pointed out several white herons, ospreys, and sand pipers.  After our paddle we met at the home of our leader, Pat, for lunch under the gazebo.   It turned out to be a beautiful day and we met new friends.

Pat G