The latest from the Gang ... 

Elizabeth B, Barbara B, Susan R, Larry R, Meredith P, Jan G, Robert R, Helgard K. and behind the camera, Tim J

We got lucky and had a cool, dry day. Well, it was 78 degrees…but better than 100!

Nine TOHG members met at the trailhead near York, ME for a short but refreshing hike up to the top of Mt. Agamenticus. Along the way, we passed many wild huckleberry bushes which were loaded with ripe berries. A few brave folks treated themselves to the fresh berries. We climbed up the trail which was only moderately steep but had the common New England assortment of rocks, roots, and granite slabs.

At the summit of Mt A we had great 360 views from the outlook decks which included some information describing the landscape and identifying the mountains and landmarks. Among the things we could see were the Nubble Lighthouse, the Presidentials, and Cape Ann. We also saw remnants of the old ski lift and a couple of people regaled us with their ski experience from a few years back. 

We hiked down the Ring Trail loop through the woods back to the parking lot. We passed several other hikers along the way as it seems this is a popular spot to walk the dog and get some exercise. We ended up hiking nearly 2 miles round trip.

After we cooled off a bit, we drove to the nearby Stonewall Inn for lunch. We enjoyed their large selection of deli lunch items. And the attached Stonewall store was a bonus. There for sale were the many jams and jellies that are made on the site (with many available for tasting) and lots of other baking ingredients.

Elizabeth B.

The threat of rain and high humidity didn’t keep our two fearless bikers, Helgard K and Alan U, from making the trek from Salem to Derry. And fortunately they were close to cover in Derry when the rain and thunder required a brief pause in the journey. 

Alan U.

Pam K, Alan U, Bev C, Carole B, Judy T, Linda M, Deb G, Dawn M, Nancy C,
Mary I, Barb M and Anne H

Twelve members of the North Mystery Group enjoyed a very pleasant outing at Fuller Gardens. This is a non-profit, public botanical garden located on the ocean in North Hampton, NH. Although we visited during a heat wave, the location offered perfect weather with a comfortable ocean breeze.  

Fuller Gardens has one of the most extensive rose bush collections in the Northeast, a Japanese garden, and a dahlia display garden full of vibrant color. The gardens are bordered by large sculpted hedges. Fuller Gardens was commissioned during the late 1920’s by Massachusetts Governor Alvin T. Fuller to honor his wife Viola.  

Mystery Group event is not complete without lunch, and Mary I recommended a great place, Tuna Striker, a rustic, fishing village inspired pub in Seabrook, NH.

Pamela K.

The day started out cool/cold, windy, and cloudy but we still managed to have 13 enthusiastic and adventurous gang members paddling the Mystic River. We reached the lower Mystic Lake but the winds pushed us back so we were not able to explore the beautiful coast line around the lake. The return trip to the launch was very enjoyable as the wind was on our backs all the way.

The usual families of birds were not to be seen this year. I think the wind blew them away. Still the river is quite beautiful with all the water lilies in bloom.

Everyone brought a picnic lunch and lots of “sweet” goodies to share, thanks to Toby B and Ilene and Daniel P.

Pat G

Cathie P, Eileen H, Nonie L, Sue H and Chuck H

Five members of the South Mystery Group enjoyed a narrated train excursion on the Cape Cod Railway. We traveled from Buzzards Bay, across the canal on the Cape Cod railroad bridge, then along the canal to Sandwich. Along the way our narrator told us interesting facts about the famous Cape Cod Canal. We passed beautiful salt marshes and cranberry bogs along the way.

Nonie L

It was a beautiful sunny but windy day as 10 of us toured Gloucester’s Hammond Castle. Built from 1926 through 1929, Hammond Castle is the creation of John Hays Hammond Jr, a contemporary of Thomas Edison and known as “The Father of Radio Control”. Hammond was a prolific inventor, holding more than 400 patents spanning from the 1920s to the very early 1960s.

A lunch at Gloucester’s Azorean Restaurant followed our tour. 

In attendance were Carole B, Anne H, Judy T, Nancy C, Dawn M, Joe M, Pam K, Lisa S, Camilla U

Alan Ulrich

On a cloudy 65 degree day thirty members of the walking/ hiking group split into two groups and walked around Walden Pond. 

One group walked 1.7 miles around the pond while the other walked a mile further to visit the Hayward Meadows section. 

Both groups visited the Thoreau house site part way around; but then the Meadows group went to the marsh area where we saw beaver lodges and turtles. There were a number of trees that had been worked on by the beavers recently. This group also climbed up to the top of Emersons Cliff where we took a picture.  

After returning to the visitors building we watched a very informative documentary produced by Ken Burns on Henry Thoreau. Lunch was on the deck outside.

Meredith P

Nine members of the South Mystery Group visited the Old Colony History Museum in Taunton, MA. Thanks to Saria Sweeney for arranging the "Museum without Walls" presentation that displayed the tour of the second floor exhibits led by Bronson Michaud. Some of the group followed along with Bronson upstairs while others sat in comfort and watched on a drop-down screen.

We saw artifacts from King Philip's War and the Revolutionary-era cannon given to Toby Gilmore, a local slave. On display were some of the first stoves ever made, manufactured by Glenwood and the Taunton Stove Company. A fashion display of period bridal gowns and a new display of recipes and cookbooks from that era were interesting.

There is so much to learn about the history of the original Old Colony that reached from Rehoboth to Provincetown and from Scituate to Dartmouth. The land today encompasses Plymouth, Bristol, and Barnstable counties. Our interest lasted much longer than the time I allowed for the event. Perhaps we can do it again and include a 1-mile walking tour of historic downtown Taunton.

Please visit their website:  oldcolonyhistorymuseum.org for more detailed information.

Lunch at the nearby Liberty and Union Alehouse was equally enjoyable.

Barbara H 

Twenty-two walking group members braved the wind and cool temperatures to walk around a portion of the Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge / Watertown.  We met around 11 am at the Storey Chapel by the main entrance and  walked about 3 miles and viewed some amazing statuary. Early spring flowers were blooming; including crocus, scilla, a patch of winter aconite, witch hazel, and a hellebore.  The cemetery has an amazing collection of unusual trees including two types of cypress by one of the ponds.

After visiting the Washington Tower with amazing views of Boston and the Bigelow Chapel and the Sphinx Civil War Memorial, we went to visit the Mary Baker Eddy Monument.  

After returning to the entrance some decided to head home rather than eat the bagged lunch outside.  As we got ready to head to the park for lunch Hal Shear kindly invited ten of us back to his nearby condo where we were treated to fantastic views of the Boston skyline and Charles River and a warm place to eat our lunches.

Meredith P.

From sleepless and stranded in Boston to sheer delight in Alta, our trip had a rather inauspicious start when our 6 AM flight to Dallas was delayed due to mechanical issues and then cancelled altogether.  As a group of 21 passengers, the airline could not get all of us booked through to Salt Lake City on Saturday.  But, thanks to a persevering airline agent, we were put up overnight at a Logan hotel so the group could take a 5AM flight to Dallas and SLC on Sunday.  We were a day late and a ski day short in joining the other 15 members already in Alta!

The odyssey continued with a scary ride up the steep Canyon Road in a snowstorm, only to find upon our arrival at the Peruvian Lodge that they had had a flood in the kitchen and couldn't provide us with a full dinner.  They served sandwich fare and various salads for a makeshift dinner so we did not go to bed hungry.  Happily, Monday morning our luck changed and brought 14" of new snow, sunshine, bluebird skies and fabulous ski conditions.  Similar outstanding weather and new snowfall continued for the rest of the week and we were in skier's heaven.  We heard locals declare this was the best week of snow and ski conditions they'd had all season which was music to our ears and made us ecstatic that it happened during our week there.

We were delighted to be back at the Peruvian with its cozy atmosphere, inviting fireplace gathering areas, and relaxing outdoor hot tub and heated pool to soothe our muscles after a hard day on the slopes at Alta or adjacent Snowbird.  We are so grateful to have had such an awesome week of skiing, excellent snow conditions, a fun, congenial group and no members injured.  We're looking forward to an equally snowy and successful trip next year.

Nancy B