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Dave (Alan's friend and neighbor), Linda, Hal, Joel, Alan, Ines, Dick, and Kimm
Eight TOHG members set off under cloudy and rainy skies on a 24 Mile round trip ride from Milford to Holliston and Sherborn on the Upper Charles River Trail. The rain did nothing to dampen our spirits although we lost 2 riders enroute due to falls.
Along the way we passed a horse farm with a resident llama, donkeys and horses, a unique curved railway tunnel and an 8 arch viaduct. Stopping for coffee on the return leg we dried out since the rain had stopped and we’re soon treated to the sight of a small herd of deer crossing the trail in front of us.
Joel, Dan, Hal, Dana, Kimm, Kenn, Beverly, Joan, Alan, Helgard the Magnificent, Dick
Fair skies and a steady breeze prevailed as 11 TOHG members met at the Bedford Depot to bike about 12 miles to the Cambridge Alewife MBTA station. The bikeway was busy with walkers, strollers and other bikers as we passed through downtown Lexington and Arlington. Joel Snider led the group to a couple of natural conservation areas for views of wetlands and streams which made our ride extra special. And we stopped for coffee and refreshment of course in Arlington on our return.
Alan U
Tina, Kate, Bob, Deb, Larry, Paula, Rick, Linda, Gaille, Nancy, Susan, Maureen, Marco, Ines, Michel, Joan, Dan, Paul, Kimm, Kenn and André in front.
Last month, members of the Gang headed to Cornwall in Ontario, Canada for a six-day bicycle tour from Kingston, Ontario back to Cornwall. The tour was arranged by Senior Cycling and Velo Quebec Voyages, with the guides provided by Velo. After meeting our guides, André and Michel in Cornwall, we were shuttled west along the St. Lawrence River to Kingston where we started our Journey. For the next five days, we rode across a number of different Islands, catching ferry boat rides in between to Wolfe Island and Howe Island. Some roadways were busy, some idyllically peaceful and uncongested, with a number of miles covered on bicycle paths. Although the weather reports kept telling us to expect rain, we only had one brief shower during the first day’s ride, so the weather was great! Over the five days of cycling, the group rode between 125 and 160 miles.
Paul McH
Pictured are Peg T, Merle W (organizer), Jan U, and Judith D.
On Friday the Hub Mystery group met at the Copley Boston Public library to attend the lunch time Courtyard Concert. Josahat Contreras and Juan Carlos Ruiz treated us to Mexican and Venezuelan music as we ate our bagged lunches.
After the concert we went over to the café and caught the end of WGBH Margery Eagan and Jim Braudy show while some of us had dessert. Some shopped at the farmer's market in front of the library. A nice triple event on a day where both rain and heat stayed away.
Merle W.
Photo left to right: Elizabeth B, Hal S, Judy L, Beverly C, Dick R , Dibba L, Anker L, Dana R, Maryann D, Helgard K, Janet F, Arthur P, and Betzy B. Behind the camara Alan U.
It was an amazingly beautiful August day for 14 TOHG members to ride on the Garrison, Ghost and Eastern Marsh rail trails from Newburyport, through Salisbury to Seabrook NH. We rode alongside Route 95 over the John Greenleaf Whittier Bridge and stopped on the bridge to enjoy the view of the Merrimack River and to Deer Island and the Chain Bridge.
Continuing north we turned onto the Ghost Trail in Salisbury so named for the ghostly appearance of the train cars that carried wooden carriages with white canvas shrouds. From there we continued onto the Eastern Marsh Trail to the Seabrook NH line and then south to the Merrimack River stopping to enjoy the view across the river to Newburyport.
Alan U.
DickR , TomB, CindyB, JudyL, ElizabethB, Helgard the Magnificent, AlanU, KimmS
Eight TOHG members had a great bike ride on a hit summer day from Salem NH through Windham NH to Derry NH and return.
The trail was mostly shaded and passed through several rock cuts which provided welcome heat relief. We stopped at Windham Depot for a photo op in front of an old Boston & Maine caboose.
On the return leg we saw three turtles in different spots trying to cross the trail. Alan helped the first which was a snapping turtle and not very pleased with the help. Kim helped the second who was not quite as cross with the help. And the 3rd turtle saw us coming and scurried across the trail. Who knew turtles could move that fast?
All in all it was a great ride!
The weather was great. We could not have had a nicer day in between all the rain that we have had lately. Ten people gathered at Salem Willows. As we went to the boats, we realized we were one boat short. So the outfitter added a seat, and we turned one kayak into a double kayak and away we went. The coastline in this area is beautiful. The gentle rolling ocean swells broke over the rugged granite rocks. We made sure everyone steered clear of rocks. We viewed the tightly packed coastal homes from the water side, and we ducked into a sheltered cove for picture taking. This trip had repeat participants, gang members who came last year came again this year showing that this is a location that you can come to again and again and it feels special every time.
Anne W
From left to right: Marco A, Ines A, Deborah G, Joan W, Bob G, Nancy B, Mary W, Dana R, Helgard K and Alan U.
This ride was originally scheduled to be held the morning of our Annual Picnic. However, Mother Nature had other ideas that day and so our bike was canceled. Ten TOHG members set out several days later on a “Take 2” ride from NARA Park in Acton to Chelmsford centre. The weather cooperated and humidity dropped slightly making for a comfortable ride on this mostly shaded trail. Many others had the same idea as we passed many walkers and bicyclists on our route. After stopping in Chelmsford for a photo most of our Gang continued a bit further to the trailhead in Lowell before returning to Acton. Alan U.
At the Lowell end of the trail - Marco behind the camara
Everybody dressed for the weather!
To say this year’s Summer Picnic did not turnout as we planned it last March would be an understatement, but as usual, TOHG members not only carried on, they also found cause for celebration during this event that will long be remembered! With torrential rain in the forecast for Sunday, it was decided to cancel the bike ride, but because the NARA Park Pavilion is covered and the food was being catered, we decided to go ahead with the picnic. Around 11:30 a.m. people started to arrive, dressed for the weather and, in typical TOHG fashion, ready for a party. It rained heavily with a few gusts at times, but for the most part, it just rained. About 45 to 50members showed up. We moved tables under the pavilion, wiped them down, and caught up with each other while we waited for the caterer to arrive.
Note from the editor: The prize quote from the picnic was from John Bannick who said “When Eleanor and I arrived at the picnic site, Paul was battling wind and deluge, like someone in a Dürer print. He may not have Storm Master powers yet, but he certainly was giving his all to try to give us a party!”
The caterer pulled up at 1:00 p.m. ready to set up, but mentioned that we could move to an indoor facility about 30 minutes away in Marlboro instead of staying at the NARA Park pavilion. We decided to drive to Marlboro. It was just another adventure for the Top of theHill Gang!
By the time members arrived, the food and tables were prepared and we resumed the celebration. Nothing can deter the party atmosphere among Gang members who are always ready to make the most of every situation! As for the leftover food? We were glad to hear that whatever we didn’t take home, would be delivered to a women’s shelter and other charitable organizations. Despite a few weather-related uncertainties early on, we all came away with a delicious meal, friendships renewed, and a rainy day that we will talk about for years to come!
Paul M and Ellen W
Happy to eat inside and dry
After a very hot day in paradise the golfers are enjoying the shade under the canopy. The course is in great shape! We asked the UPS guy to take our photo, but he already had his own plan: to photobomb it.
Marco A
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