The latest from the Gang ... 

Weather, partly sunny 78-80 degrees.
13 adventurous folks showed up in Hull for our first "official" kayak trip. We originally had 19 people signup for the trip. Our Covid limit was 12 so we decided to put together a second trip which Carleen kindly volunteered to lead. So everyone was able to come and maintain our distance. We explored the beautiful Weir River and World End. The water was calm, the weather perfect, and participants enthusiastic.
The restaurant that we were going to for lunch was closed (I guess I should have checked that out beforehand), however, we were able to order lunch at a beach stand and enjoy each others company. Some folks got a chance to put their feet in the water while watching Carleen being tossed around on the waves.
Pat G.

Great day for a beach bicycle ride! Beautiful views, seven wonderful friends, and Beach Plum Ice Cream. Thursday was warm, but, on our bikes we experienced breezes while riding in both directions and with no head wind for a change. We enjoyed a 18 mile round trip ride from Ordiorne Point State Park to The Beach Plum Ice Cream Stand (we all ate ice cream) along the East Coast Greenway, route 1A. Later we ate our lunches in the park overlooking the Atlantic and Isles of shoals. Thanks to all who made the effort.
Joe M.

Nine masked, stalwart members of the walking/hiking group gathered at the Bedford trailhead for the Reformatory Trail, also part of the Bay Circuit Trail, on a very hot (90º) August morning. The trail led us through the wooded area to the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge where we turned onto the Dike Trail. Although very invasive, the lotus blossoms were spectacular as well as the cardinal flowers and hibiscus blossoms. We continued on past the Concord River with stops to rest in the shade and finished through the trees again at the Bedford parking area for a total of 2.5 miles. Some members chose to head home at that point but four of us had a nice lunch under the canopy at Papa Razzis in Concord.
Left to right standing: Steve P., Chris B., Jane Ph., Pat K., Dennis U., Carol B.
Kneeling: Charlotte D., Maryann D.

It was a great day to ride and explore after a long virus hibernation. We departed in two groups of 12 riders and rode the Garrison Trail over the Merrimack River in Newburyport MA, the Amesbury Trail, and the Salisbury Ghost trail to its end for approximately 12 miles round trip. We all wore masks and were cooled by the tree canopy and breeze despite the 91 degree temperatures inland. We also saw the largest solar electrical station in New England next to the bike path and learned about the great train robbery where a $659,000 payroll was looted from a passing train. We were lucky to escape as one of our riders ended up with a flat tire and couldn’t make the getaway. Luckily Paul M. saved the day by fixing Linda’s flat tire and we escaped before we could be found. We plan to split the cash later!
All had a grand time and were happy to catch up with old friends and meet some new riders/members. We have more trails in the area to explore in the future. Anyone want to coordinate a ride? Thank you for coming!

Six TOHG members gathered at Rick and Laurie W's house for a kayaking excursion in Tiverton, RI. Unfortunately, two additional members had to drop out due to damage from Tropical Storm Isaiah the day before. They were missed. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the group traveled across Nanaquaket Pond and into the Sakonnet River, stopping for a swim at Grinnell's Beach on the way back. Lunch was enjoyed afterward with everyone maintaining social distancing guidelines. It was great to see some different faces for a change!

In the photo: Elaine O., Allan G. and David R.

Our group had a “not so secret” outing at Mirror Lake on the Devens reservation. It was the first visit to the lake for all the attendees. Everyone that was able to attend (Elaine O., Dave R., Jan G., Jane P., Chris B. and Allan G.) was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable our day was. Refreshing clean lake water, ample shade to stay out direct sun and a modest fee ($5/person) along with the small weekday crowd, made the day a very relaxing social day at the beach. Everyone saw themselves returning to the lake again especially if the hot weather continues. We would highly recommend this location to all gang members. I’ll be happy to provide directions and the COVID ground rules to visit the lake.

Allan G.

Participants:
Left to right standing: Barbara H., Jackie A., Marilyn N., Yelena W.
Seated: Jan U., Cathleen R., Nancy B., Judith D.
In absentia: Mary K.
Photographer: Merle W.
By Cathleen R.

Eight members of the Gang got together for the first ride of the season. It was predicted to be a very hot day and the predictions were correct! Undaunted, we gathered in the shade wearing our masks and practicing social distancing before heading off. We started the ride early and the trail was shaded for the most part. There was also a nice breeze that helped keep us comfortable. One particular portion of the trail actually seemed to be air conditioned. As we rode through an area of the trail with high rock walls on both sides the air was very cool and we all commented that we should just ride back and forth through that area! After stopping for a break at the seven mile mark, we decided that was far enough and turned around. Returning to the starting point we again donned our masks and talked about heading off to much cooler places as we were able to get the 14 mile ride completed before the hottest time of day.

Paul McH

Eleven of us met at Mary Weinert’s house for a trek through the trails down the street from her house on a sweltering hot day. In the shade of the woods we had a nice breeze so it saved the day. After the walk, we ate lunch while social distancing in the backyard under canopies where the breeze continued thank goodness. Everyone was pleased to be back together socializing with other Gang members and having some really nice conversations. Thanks to all for coming!

Mary W.

Left to right: Margaret Kehoe, Carol Newman, Nancy Ballantyne
Three members of TOHG, Nancy Ballantyne, Margaret Kehoe, and Carol Newman, recently spent a week exploring the island of Martha’s Vineyard. The cars were left behind in Falmouth and we took our bicycles on the ferry to Oak Bluffs. The weather all week was delightful. This was the last week of June and not too busy. Martha’s Vineyard is great for biking and walking and has wonderful trails away from the road. One day we took the local “Chappy” ferry to Chappaquiddick and did some exploring by bike. On another cycling trip, we visited Edgartown and beyond where we found a nice beach and ate our picnic lunches there. Another day we left our bikes behind and used public transportation to get to an outlying destination and visited Menemsha which is a small working fishing village. We ended the day there sitting on some rocks by the water eating our delicious lobster rolls.

Our apartment in Oak Bluffs was in a colorful Victorian house within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and beaches. We dined at a restaurant by the water where it was very nice to watch all the lovely boats and yachts that dock there.

Margaret K.