The latest from the Gang ... 

TOHG members walked six miles round-trip from the JFK/UMass MBTA station to Castle Island. It was a warm, humid day and we all drank plenty of water, besides enjoying food at Sullivan’s, including their famous hot dogs and onion rings. There was a wonderful breeze off the ocean when we walked the Pleasure Bay Loop, enjoying water on both sides of the Causeway and watching planes fly overhead. We also saw some large container ships and other pleasure boats sail or motor by us.
We were planning to get a tour of Fort Independence but there were no tour leaders to show us around except a lonely volunteer who had her hands full doing a group that was way behind schedule. We would have had to wait at least 45 minutes so we decided to leave, some of us walking back the same way we came and some taking a bus back to the MBTA station to eliminate a few miles in the heat. We sought out shade whenever possible, which was quite pleasant with the breeze. Some of us will go back to Castle Island sometime in cooler weather to get a tour of the Fort.
The people in the photo are, from left to right: Jan G, Jane P, Pat K, Dennis U, Eleanor R, Emmy C, Joan S, Dori C, Meredith P, Rosemary S, Eileen H, Ann T, Liz C, Dawn M, Nancy C, and Chris B. Missing from the photo: Allan G, Joe M, Linda McN, Cathy P and Judy P.

Jane P

On Sunday, June 24th, thirteen of us walked beautiful World’s End, a Trustees of Reservations property in Hingham. Walking under gorgeous trees planted by Frederic Law Olmstead and with breathtaking views of the ocean, the bay and the Boston skyline, we enjoyed each other and the perfect day. We walked over and around the two drumlins of the peninsula and we picnicked on top of one of the hills. The Sunday Globe had a lovely article about the site that day --- so timely! Please join us for another walk in September, TBA.
Elizabeth D

The TOHG members in the photo, from left to right, are: Barbara H, Martha M, Marie H, Nonie L, Marge C, Eleanor R, Linda McN, Beverly C, Elizabeth D, Cathy P, Maryann D, Jane P and Eileen H.

On June 24th we had a great turnout for an impromptu ride on the Bruce freeman Rail Trail. 19 members of the gang got together on Sunday morning at 10:30. The weather was a little warm, but with an early start and shade on most of the trail, it was comfortable. Most of us rode the full length of the trail. We even had one member taking her new E-Bike out for its first ride. We were all very impressed with the recent extension of the trail into Concord. One member even commented that the new bridge over Route 2A is a work of art! After the ride we headed over to Tavern on the Square for brunch. Our new motto may be “Bike to Eat and Eat to Bike”! 

 Paul McH.

Thirty people started off with plenty of sun screen to ride on a perfect # 10 day through Billerica, Carlisle and Chelmsford – 12 with the twelve-mile group, the rest with Al G leading the 20-mile ride. 20-mile group got cheated; they didn’t stop for ice cream. (I think I read somewhere, that’s against the by-laws!) Mother Nature was very kind to us with a beautiful sunny, (but not uncomfortably hot), day for both the ride and the wonderful pot luck back at the house – food again was incredible.
Everyone brings the greatest stuff. We had two flat tires – same bike, first the front tire and a little down the road the back tire!  Thanks to Paul McH for changing them.  Everyone seemed to have a great day.

THANK YOU, Al G, for adjusting both routes taking out some of the steeper hills and also for leading the longer ride again.

Mary W

Twenty five TOHG members embraced the warm sunshine and toured Salem from a unique perspective. Even the Salem folks on the tour learned some new things! We walked about 3.5 miles. A few members bought candy at America’s oldest candy store. We saw the house of Americas first millionaire, and impressive collection of yard art, the Salem Common, which is home of the first muster in the USA, and a few sites from the Hocus Pocus movie. Most of the locations on a tour are off the commercial tour’s radar. I wish I brought some Apple air freshener to spray at the site of Bridget Bishop’s apple orchard to enhance paranormal activity!!!! Ha!!!! What was I thinking? Why did I not do it? Next time! We all enjoyed a little history, lots of humor, and great food at Brothers Tavern on New Derby Street. Thanks to all who walked!

Ann T

On June 5, eight members of TOHG Boston mystery group visited the Davis Museum at Wellesley College. We viewed "Soulful Stitching", a vibrant exhibit of patchwork quilts, known as "kawandi" made by Siddi women in rural area of Karnataka in Northern India. The enslaved Siddi people left Africa as early as 1650's. These colorful quilts are made from recycled family clothing remnants and are still used for sleeping in cool, damp Indian monsoon season. We enjoyed a buffet lunch at Wellesley College Club overlooking Lake Waban which was peaceful even on a rainy day.

Marilyn N

Following the Friday and Saturday Cape Cod bike rides, eighteen members of the Gang were fully prepared on Sunday morning for a robust twenty-six mile round trip to Skaket Beach. Located on the bay side of the Cape, the beach is renowned for its vast views of the inner Cape area, with Plymouth far out in the distance to the west, and, to the north, P-town jutting out on the Cape. This perfect day for bikers could not be missed, given the Friday afternoon torrential downpour on the Shining Sea bike ride! One principal goal was accomplished: lunch at the beach, as a half-hour respite to the thirteen mile ride back to the trailhead in Dennis. 

Ray G.

TOHG cyclists Overlooking Cape Cod Bay in Provincetown. We had a wonderful time and glad to be of a little help. Thank you for all you do for us to make the gang a special and first class organization.

Joe and Dawn

Top of the Hill Gang Cape Cod Weekend, 2018 The official weekend was kicked off on Friday, June 1st with a bike ride from North Falmouth to Woods Hole on the Shining Sea Bikeway. The rain that had been forecast was supposed to stop by 10 AM (the start time of the ride). The parking lot was full of TOHG bike riders by 9:30 AM and off we rode. There were a few sprinkles along the way, but nothing to stop this hearty group. By the time we reached Woods Hole, it appeared the rain had stopped and even a little sun shone through, however on the ride back to North Falmouth, the sky opened up and the majority of the group rode back in the drenching rain. I never heard a complaint, and most of us were soaked to the skin, I even overheard someone say that was the best part of the weekend.

Friday evening was the well-attended (at least 110 THOG members) Pizza party with tons of appetizers, salads, snacks and of course a wonderful variety of delicious pizza and lots and lots of people catching up with each other.

Saturday offered far better weather than Friday and there were three bike rides to choose from; one to Chatham, another longer version to Chatham which included the lighthouse in Chatham and one to Provincetown.

There was also a group who took a walking tour. And from what I could tell, TOHG members did their part frequenting the local ice cream establishments after bike rides or walking tours.

Saturday evening many people made reservations at one of the many great restaurants in the area and various groups headed out for the evening to enjoy dinner on their own.

Both Saturday and Sunday mornings TOHG members filled the breakfast rooms at Bayside Resort with loud conversations and lots of laughter.
Sunday many people headed home while others joined in another bike ride.

Big thank you to Linda and Walter B., Dawn M. and Joe M., Linda and Paul McH. and Ray G, for coordinating bike rides for this weekend, Ines and Marco A. for their website assistance and to everyone who helped with the set up and clean up for the Pizza party. This popular weekend is in part a success because so many people pitch in to help and because we really seem to know how to enjoy ourselves even in the rain. 

Ellie G. - Cape Cod Weekend Coordinator

Thursday Canal Ride with the early arrivals: Sue R, Rich K, Marie A, Maryann D, Jim A, Jane P, Joe M, Kate K, Dawn M, Jane B.

Joe and Dawn