The latest from the Gang ... 

Hikers left to right: Jan G., Cathy P., Betty B., Ellen W., Sandy S., Jane P., Cindy L., Lee D. and in front Joan HB. Photo credit: Phil L.
Our group of 10 hiked close to 5 miles in the Halfway Pond Conservation Area. As we hiked along the shore near the end of the hike the winds from Tropical Storm Teddy roared in and there were whitecaps on the pond.
We then drove a short distance to a village green to have lunch. There was a food truck there where many of the hikers bought their lunch.
After lunch we headed down to play disc golf which the strong winds made very challenging.

Disc golf players: Phil L.,Joan HB and Lee D.
Cindy L.

Left to right front: Barbara M., Linda McH., Anne H., Lisa S., Beverly C., Dawn M., Marina K.. Standing: Judy T., Mary I., Nancy Ch., Joy T. and Carole B.
Sitting on “Going, Going, Gone” by Orly Genger, a 30’ installation at Alnoba made of recycled lobster rope.
We experienced art work in a new way by walking through forests and fields and along streams at Alnoba, a place where art awakens the spirit and refreshes the soul. Here’s what a few of us say ... “whimsical, eye-opening, creative, sustainable, socially conscious, peaceful and entertaining ... Inspirational and challenging ... Informative, impactful.” Lunch at The Farm at Eastman’s Corner, perfect weather, and a surprise docent, Marina K., who led our tour, topped off our June Mystery in September (due to COVID delays)!

Our version of man (Joe M.) and beast ... “Moose” by South Dakota sculptor, John Lopez.

From left to right: Meredith P., Dick and Ann R., Joan G., Betty B., Cathy P., Jill F., Joan S., Joan H-B, Ron E. Behind the camera: Pat G.
Another beautiful fall day, perfect for a walk in the park. All 11 masked souls walked 4.5 miles along carriage roads and rolling hills and enjoyed views of the Weir River in Hull, the Boston skyline, and HIngham Harbor. We stopped to take a few pictures along the way. After returning to our cars, we followed each other to HIngham beach where we found a partly shaded and partly sunny spot to have a picnic lunch and catch up with old and new friends. We hope to do this again next year but without the MASKS!

Pat G.

Left to right: Sandy S., Laurie W., Jackie A.. Ellen W., Sue B., Stephen P.
Seven cyclists rode the East Bay Bike Path to Colt State Park for a picnic. It was a perfect day to welcome fall on Rhode Island’s most scenic greenway. Except for two bridges being restored, the trail has been entirely resurfaced and offers a sweet ride the entire distance from Fort Hill in East Providence to Independence Park in Bristol.

Lisa S., Ann Marie D., Beverly C., Jimmy W., Joan H-B., Eileen H., Gaille A., Dave R., Betty B., Heimo S., Pat G. (Hedy P. is out of picture)
Jimmy W. led 11 of us around the Charles River on an absolutely perfect day. Most of us were on a first-time ride passing the Duck Boat ramp into the Charles, skateboard parks, river locks, under the Zakim Bridge, around North Station & Bobby Orr statue, and onto the Esplanade along the river. We diverted through Harvard Business School grounds, around Harvard stadium, Smith Playground with its bicycle skill park, and back over the Elliot Bridge to return on the Cambridge side using Memorial Drive which was closed to traffic! 14.57 miles later, we lunched at Lechmere Canal Park and agreed that this ride was a winner !

Beverly C.

Kayakers: Rachel A., Elizabeth B., Maryann D., Marianne E., Jill F., Larry McC., Stephen P., Tom S., Daniel Y.
Weather was perfect, sunny in the mid-70's. We paddled approximately 3.5 miles up the river to the Lower Mystic Lake passing Blue Herons, swans, ducks and of course many geese. We even caught a few in flight.
Four hardy souls tried to make it to the dam only to find a portage area and a fish ladder. No way to get into the Upper Mystic Lake. We will have to save that for another trip.
After a 2 hour calm, peaceful paddle we found a shady spot to social distance and have a picnic. So nice to finally be able to catch up with people and enjoy the outdoors.
This is beautiful spot to kayak and it was a gorgeous day!

Pat G.

The Top of the Hill Gang Downhill Ski Leaders participated in a meeting with our coordinator Carleen to brainstorm about the 2021 ski season and decide the next steps. The meeting was kindly hosted by Helgard; we meet outdoors at his home and brought chairs and lunch to participate maintaining a safe environment for all. One attendee waited all day for someone to open the door but we didn't let him without a mask... For real, he is the one taking the photo and did wear a mask  :-)
Passing summer rain showers didn't stop the meeting thanks to Bob's canopy. Unfortunately, the shiny red car was impacted by the drizzle but was safely driven away after the meeting without damage. 

Left to right the crew included: Jane B., Maryann D., Susan L., Ann R., Mary W., Dick R., Dawn M. and kneeling, Marie K.
A well masked TOHG Gang of 9 strode into Newburyport to cover some of the trails we missed on our bike ride two weeks ago. We covered just over 4 miles on the perfect day while viewing beautiful art, sculptures, historical markers, water views, and flowers along the trail. Many of us drove to Park Lunch later to feast on delicious sea food.
Joe M.

A small group of 9 members gathered to ride the bike path. The day was sunny and not too hot, it was just perfect. We had a picnic at Woods Hole Waterfront Park. Our attempt to ride to the end of the peninsula down Bar Neck Road was frustrated by a “Private Road” sign and a guard house. Instead we had ice cream at the Station Grill right off the trail.
It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends and welcome new member Cindy!
In the photo L-R: Gaille A., Marianne E., Ines A., Jane Ph., Pat G., Carleen McO., and Cindy L.

Ines

In the photo above: Chris B., Dori C., Judith D., Jan G., Marie H., Larry Mc., Hedy P., Meredith P., Jane Ph., Heimo S., Patrick W. and Joel S.
12 TOHG members walked for 5 miles in the Assabet River Wildlife Refuge. There are many bunkers along the trails that were used to store ammunition during WWII. (Ugly, but interesting!) The highlights of the walk were beautiful Puffer Pond and later being up-close-and-personal next to a pair of swans and their teenage signets feeding on the duckweed in the marsh. We went for lunch afterwards at Emma’s Café, sitting outside at picnic tables. After that, we went to Erickson’s for ice cream. Yum!!
Jane Ph.