Downhill skiing at Mt. Wachusett - February 12 , 2020

SKI REPORT

Wednesday, 12 February 2020, Downhill skiing at Mt. Wachusett
Ski Leader:  Ellen Gugel
9:00 am start from Mt. Wachusett ski lodge, Princeton, MA

Skiers (2):   Ellen & Harriet Fell.
Present at lunch:  Ellen's husband, Ski Instructor Steve.

Harriet and I did the Balance trails, our favorite, three times, as well as 37 other runs before lunch!!  Terrain park, bumps, jumps, race course.  Really!  The Balances, anyway.

Bluebird day.  Great conditions.

Report by Ellen Gugel.

A ride from Weston to Concord - February 5, 2020

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 5 February 2020, A ride from Weston to Concord
Ride Leader:  Harriet Fell (assisted by John Allen)
30 miles, 10:00 am start from Burchard Park, Weston, MA
Riders (10):  Harriet, John Allen (sweep), David Fay, Doug Hobkirk, Ellen Gugel, Elizabeth Wicks, Gerry Sheetoo, John Springfield, Ron Beland, and Selig Saltzman.

The sky was gray but the temperature hovered around 40 degrees -   decent riding weather for this time of year.  Harriet and I expected a large turnout, but only ten showed up, perhaps because the roads were
damp, with puddles here and there.  The downside of these road conditions was the post-ride need to wash one's jacket and bicycle, for those who didn't have fenders.  Harriet was nominally the leader and arrows were posted at some turns, though the group mostly stayed together and several people alternated taking the lead.  I swept, often fell behind, and caught up at regrouping points.  John Springfield, recovering from bronchitis, left the ride and returned to Burchard Park after a few miles.

Harriet organized the ride in memory of her husband, Sheldon Brown, who died twelve years ago.  She and I maintain and expand his bicycle repair and maintenance website, https://sheldonbrown.com.

At the ride start, Harriet and I told how we met Sheldon:  she - on a CRW ride, and I - when he stayed after closing time to repair a flat tire for me at the bike shop where he worked.  The ride, contributed to CRW by Barry Nelson, featured Water Row, one of Sheldon's favorites - and one of ours, too - 1.25 miles bordering, for the most part, the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.  The ride continued on (mostly) quiet roads, with a rest stop at Starbucks on Thoreau Street in Concord.  We passed Walden Pond, though we did not stop for a swim, and then deviated from Barry's route to take the new segment of rail trail from Wayland to Weston - a pleasant, early-season thirty miles.  The group dispersed, as only one participant wanted to stay for lunch after the ride.

Report by John Allen.

Sudbury River and Fairhaven Bay - January 29 ,2020

HIKE REPORT

Wednesday, 29 January 2020, Winter hike around Sudbury River and Fairhaven Bay
Hike Leader:  Jack Mroczkowski
~4 miles, 10:00 am start from Sudbury Road, Concord, MA
Hikers (23):  Jack, Ann Northup, Bob Cheney, Butch Pemstein, Cindy Chin, David Fay, David Wean, Doug Chin, Everett Briggs, Janet Miller, Larry Kornetsky, Lorraine Reihle, Marie Keutmann, Mike Hanauer, Rick Carlson, Robyn Maislin, Rochelle Holman, Ron Beland, Roy Westerberg, Sally Chapman, Susan Sabin, and first-timers Bob Pearlman and Pat Stabler.

It felt like an early spring day, with temperatures in the high 30s and clear skies.

We paused a few times in our meandering to take in some peaceful views of the river and bay.  Around the mid-point of our hike, we came across Everett who was travelling in the opposite direction - he quickly reversed direction to join us.

Some good exercise was provided by a small hill where, at the top, we marveled at how some of the .1 percenters live with such luxuries as a private, secluded outdoor ice skating rink with sound and light systems.

Most hikers went to Verrill Farm to have lunch in the greenhouse.

Report by Jack Mroczkowski.

Hamlen Woods & Mainstone Farm winter hike - January 22, 2020

HIKE REPORT

Wednesday, 22 January 2020, Hamlen Woods & Mainstone Farm winter hike
Hike Leaders:  Margie & Tony Lee

4.2 miles, 10:00 am start from Mainstone Farm Trails parking lot, Wayland, MA

Hikers (21):  Margie, Tony, Barbara Martin, Bob Cheney, Butch Pemstein, David Fay, Everett Briggs, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Joanne Samuels, Larry Kornetsky, Margaret Coughlin, Marie Keutmann, Nancy Smith, Patrick Ward, Richard Fortier, Richard Vignoni, Rick Carlson, Sandy Gotlib, and first-timers Kate Strauchon and Lorraine Gotlib.
Present at lunch:  Helen Greitzer.

We were concerned about fitting cars into the small parking area, although we didn’t expect too many hikers considering the high was forecast to be in the mid 20s.  But people kept coming and Tony, with the help of participants, shoe-horned everyone into a spot.

After introducing ourselves, including new participant, Kate, and giving a little background on the area, we headed into the woods.  Everett suggested that we not only look down at our feet and the ground, but take in the beauty of the trees above. The day was sunny and bright with blue skies and everyone seemed to enjoy the camaraderie.  The hike was moderately paced and took us through woods, up to Reeve’s Hill, and around an early local reservoir – currently enjoyed by ducks and beavers.

Many of us enjoyed pub food at “The Chat” (Dudley Chateau) which was built in the early 1920s as a private fishing lodge, became a speakeasy during Prohibition, and later a men’s drinking club, which was visited by legends such as Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.

Report by Margie Lee.

Nobscot Mountain Hike - January 15, 2020,

HIKE REPORT

Wednesday, 15 January 2020, Hike Nobscot Mountain

Hike Leader:  Russ Keene

~5 miles, 10:00 am start from Nobscot Boy Scout Reservation, Sudbury, MA



Hikers (20):  Russ, Ann Northup, Barbara Martin, Butch Pemstein, David Fay, Greg Stathis, Jack Mroczkowski, Margie Lee, Marie Keutmann, Richard Fortier, Richard Vignoni, Rick Carlson, Robyn Maislin, Sandi Hartwell, Sandy Gotlib, Susan Broome, Susan Sabin, Tony Lee, and first-timers Lorraine Reihle and Norm Decker.
Present at lunch:  Helen Greitzer.


We had a great winter day for our hike at Nobscot Scout Reservation (Mayflower Council, Boy Scouts) in Sudbury and Framingham - sunny, temps in the 40s, bare ground, and open views.  The hike was nearly five miles, with about 750 feet of ascent/descent.  We visited Nobscot summit, King Philip's Lookout, and Tippling Rock.

Nearly everyone stayed for lunch at Oak Barrel Tavern, where we were joined by Helen. 

Our route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31737180

Photos from Nobscot hike:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/4d71iFAM6ZDVnQyt8

And, finally, here is a link which may be of interest:
     https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20081023/NEWS/310239897


Report by Russ Keene.

Noanet Woodlands winter hike - January 8, 2020

HIKE REPORT

Wednesday, 8 January 2020, Noanet Woodlands winter hike
Hike Leader:  Sandi Hartwell
5+ miles, 10:00 am hike start from Caryl Park, Dover, MA

Hikers (16):  Sandi, Chris George, Clyde Kessel, David Fay, David Wean, Don Buchholtz, Don Mannes, Frank Hubbard, Gerry Sheetoo, Margie Lee, Marie Keutmann, Nancy Schlecht, Richard Fortier, Richard Vignoni, Susan Sabin, and Tony Lee.
Lunch (2):  Helen Greitzer and Rich Taylor.

It was a lovely hike in Noanet Woodlands on pine needles, leaves, and no ice.   We wove through the woods on various trails and were rewarded with sunshine halfway through.  Frank suggested a steep trail to Noanet Peak, so we split into two groups, going on different paths, and met at the summit.  The "surprise" at the top was a pine tree decorated with ornaments, and the view to Boston was pristine.

We managed to complete more than the promised five miles and three hours of hiking.  Following the hike, many of us went to Dover Cafe, where we joined Helen and Rich, arrived after the lunchtime rush, and had a delicious lunch.

Thanks to Frank and Chris for keeping me on track, and to Clyde for sweeping.

Report by Sandi Hartwell.

Ponkapoag Pond Hike = January 2, 2020

HIKE REPORT

THU, 2 January 2020, Winter hike around Ponkapoag Pond in Blue Hills Reservation

Hike Leaders:  Elsa & Tom Lawrence

4.6 miles, 10:00 am hike start from Ponkapoag Golf Course parking lot, Canton, MA

Hikers (16):  Elsa, Tom,  Annemarie Altman, Barbara Jacobs, Butch Pemstein, Cynthia Zabin, David Wean, Don Mannes, Mike Hanauer, Rochelle Holman, Susan Broome, Susan Sabin, Ted Nyder, William Feiring, and first timers Howard Gutherman and Joel Sussman.

It was a perfect day for a winter hike, starting out a little cool, but warming up as we went.  We followed the loop trail around the pond, diverging to walk through the AMC camp (looking at the camp and using the facilities there).  We were unable to take the walk through the bog because the water level of the pond was high and some of the boardwalk was floating.  Two hikers shortened the route by retracing the path from the camp rather than finishing the loop.

Kudos to David and Cynthia for cycling 8.5 miles to the start.

Thirteen of us had a delicious lunch at Nisa's Thai restaurant after the hike.

Report by Elsa Lawrence.