The latest from the Gang ... 

Facilities tour after the presentation with our guide Glenn Field

13 members participated in a guided tour of a little-known government organization that predicts the future, with a 50% chance of getting it right and a 100% chance of being forgiven for getting it wrong. Yes, we are talking about the NOAA’s National Weather Service. We learned about the mysteries behind the most creative guessing game and the misconceptions about lightning, amongst other fascinating facts.

The guided tour was followed by lunch at Brack’s Grill.

Marco A

L-R: Joe C, Lucille S, Joe M, Elaine M, Joan S, Elsie L, Nonie L, Susan and Chuck H, Sandy L.
Marco took the photo.

Ken, Alan, Allan, Linda, Marjorie, Daniel, Ken and Kim

Eight TOHG members set out on a mild, sunny Spring day to ride from Topsfield to the Danvers/Peabody line. The trail included a linear representation of our solar system (erected by a Topsfield Boy Scout Troop), historic railroad buildings in Danvers and a Swamp Walk in Wenham. 
Along the way we met a young couple and their two dogs who were hiking from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. They expected their hike would take them 7-8 months. Last year they hiked from California to South Carolina. They’re financing their trip on social media and can be followed at TheGGoldenRoad. 

Alan U

End of the Causeway "The Cut"

Enjoying a variety of weather conditions 43 TOHG members enjoyed a 3 day trip to Burlington VT.

We cruised Lake Champlain on board of The Spirit of Ethan Allen on Monday followed by a buffet dinner at Zachary’s Pizza.

On Tuesday about 3 dozen members bicycled on The Island Line Trail along the lake as far as “The Cut” in Lake Champlain. On the return the wind was blowing in our face requiring extra effort on the open portion of the trail.

Wednesday morning 19 hardy souls rode The 127 Trail from the Ethan Allen Homestead with snow flurries making for a memorable ride. And of course some of the Gang stopped at Ben & Jerry’s factory on the way home!

Alan U

Dinner at Zachary's

Photo left to right: Gayle, Ken, Gail E, Daniel, Alan U, Allan G, James. Carolyn, Herta.
In front - Nancy. Missing from photo was Miriam who took the picture. 

Eleven TOHG members set off from Salem NH on a 2 hour bike ride to Derry NH along the Salem, Windham and Derry Rail Trails. It was a beautiful warm Spring day and fortunately much of the trail was shaded. Most of this route is wooded and passes several ponds, bogs and streams and we were fortunate to see several turtles sunning themselves along the way. 

Alan U

Joan, Linda, Jan, Judith, Jane, Dori (not in picture Meredith, John and Carol)

May 11th turned warmer than expected but nine TOHG walkers met at the visitor center parking area off 2A and proceeded on a nearly 5 mile walk. We passed several historical markers describing events of the April 19, 1775 battle between the British and Colonists.  The wide trail follows the original battle road between Lexington and Concord.
Along the sides of the path we spotted many wildflowers, including meadow rue, jack-in-the-pulpit, iris, and mayapple.

After the walk we ate bagged lunches at a shady picnic table.

Meredith P

Jane, John, Carol, Joan, Dori, Jan, Judith, Jane

Alan and Kim and a couple of new friends

The threat of rain didn’t deter Kim and Alan from setting out on a 2 hour bike ride from Everett to Lynn. The trail was sparsely used which made for easy biking. Crossing the marshlands between Saugus and Lynn we even saw a Piping Plover take flight. And we returned to our start just as soon as the rain began! Perfect timing!

Alan U

Daniel, Alan, Kathy, Kim, Art, Larry, Joan

 Kate , Helgard, Ken, Alan, Daniel

Lisa L, Kimberly S, Judith S, Sheila P, Alan U, Rene K, Gayle A, Joel S, Liz C.
Miriam J behind the camera

Ten TOHG members set out from Woburn under sunny skies along the Tri Community Rail Trail. We rode from Woburn through Winchester along the Aberjona River through Winchester Centre, past Wedgemere and stopping at the Mystic Lakes Dam on the Arlington town line hoping to see alewives and perhaps a resident bald eagle. Although we didn’t see either of those we were fortunate enough to see cormorants, turtles and a blue heron. Finishing our ride under cloudy skies we stopped for coffee at a local coffee shop in downtown Winchester before returning to Woburn. 

Alan U.

Ken S, James W, Art P, Sheila P, Alan U, Mary W, Lisa L, Ines A,
Mary M, Lucy M, and Patrick W 

It seemed only fitting that eleven TOHG members biked to The Old North Bridge and Concord Centre during Patriots week. We enjoyed about a 10 Mike round trip ride through Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and along a wooded trail from Bedford Depot and finishing in Concord for coffee. On the return we stopped to visit the Old North Bridge which was busy with visitors also remembering that fateful day in 1775 with “the shot heard round the world.”
Alan U