Type: Ride
Date: Friday, Sep 4, 2009
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Place: East Bay Bike Path, East Providence to Bristol, RI
Distance: 14.5 miles


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A beautiful summer September day. This path goes from East Providence to Bristol and affords awesome views of Providence River and Naragansett Bay.

Finally . . . . . .

Type: Paddle
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009
Time: 1:00 - 4:00pm
Place: Lake Saltonstall (Plug Pond) Haverhill, MA
Distance: A couple times around the lake.





A nice day for an easy paddle around the lake. The sky was cloudless, and there was a nice breeze out on the warm water. After a couple times around the lake, we grabbed our picnic items and found a private spot on the shoreline. The biggest challenge of the day was figuring out how to safely tie down the kayaks to the bar rack. Sadly, after a while, my tailbone was screaming, so we had to cut the paddle short. Otherwise, it was a perfect outdoor adventure for a sunny Saturday.

Wa-Wa-Wachusett . . . . . .

Type: Hike
Date: Tuesday May 26, 2009
Time: 2:30-5pm
Place: Wachusett State Forest
Distance: about 2 miles, but very rocky



This one turned out to be trickier than expected. After pulling in to the closed ski resort, we finally made our way to the state reservation visitor center where we began a mile-long trek up the the rocky paths of Wachusett Mountain. The weather was cool and overcast, so we didn't sweat too much, and Bennie enjoyed the freedom of running between us off-leash. We were rewarded with a breathtaking view of central Massachusetts. WE could even see the Boston Skyline in the distance.

Lost in a Box!

Type: Hike
Date: Tuesday May 19, 2009
Time: 11am - 2 pm
Place: Boxford State Forest
Distance: about 5 miles

Whew! Boy did we get lost on this one! The forest at Boxford offers a nice set of trails, but at one point we crossed over into a city owned forest that was not marked or mapped. After going around in circles for about 90 minutes, we ended up in a neigboorhood and had to hoof-it on the main road about a mile and a half back to the car. Beautiful day, beautiful weather! Bennie was off leash for most of this hike. He also made his way across some pretty deep water hazards!

Leominster State Forest

Type: Hike
Date: May 12, 2009
Time: 3-5pm
Place: Leominster State Forest
Distance: about 2 1/2 miles

Another great hike with my four-legged friend! We went to Leominster State Forest near Fitchburg, MA, where we went on a two-hour hike through some very dense forest. Bennie spent most of the hike off-leash, responded to most of my voice commands. It was slightly overcast, but warm.

Middlesex Fells Hike

Type: Hike
Date: April 29, 2009
Time: Noon - 3pm
Length: about 1 1/2 hours
Place: Middlesex Fells Reservation
Distance: about 2 1/2 miles

Fun Fun Fun!!! Bennie and I took an early spring hike at the Middlesex Fells just north of Boston.

A "Plum" day for a ride

Plum Island's salt marshes

Date: Sept 5, 2008
Time: Early afternoon
Length: about 4 hours
Place: Parker River National Refuge, Plum Island, MA
Distance: 12 miles round trip
Grade: A
Notes: The storms of Hurricane's Hannah and Ike may be looming, but today was a day for the record books, and a perfect day for a beachside bike ride.

So we loaded up the bikes and headed for Parker River National Refuge, which is the official name of Plum Island, a six-mile long strand of beach and salt marsh located just south of Newburyport, MA.

The beaches of the refuge are accessed by a two-lane road that stretches the length of island. This road served as the bike trail for our ride today. It passes designated parking and observation areas, where boardwalks lead to open beach areas and observation platforms. The paved road gives way to gravel near the half way point, and ends at the state-run Sandy Point Beach.


Plants and vegetation along the beach access road


We didn't plan on spending time at the beach, but that's what happened when we reached the end of the refuge access road. After an hour of sunshine and wading in the water, we hit the gravel road for the ride back to our car. Along the way, we stopped at a couple of the various observation platforms, and took some obligatory pics of each other all geared up in our bike wear.


Lisa enjoys the view during a quick stop


All in all, it was a great day for a ride, and a great ride for the day.

First ocean paddle

Date: Aug 15,2008
Time: Late morning, early afternoon
Length: about 1 1/2 hours
Place: Back Beach, near downtown Rockport, MA
Distance: n/a
Grade: B+
Notes: My first time kayaking in the ocean. There were definitely some new challenges getting in and out of the kayak while it was bouncing in the waves. The sea was also a bit choppy so learning to react to the waves was a bit of a challenge. But all in all, a good paddle for the day. I went out and around a rock cropping, being careful not to get caught up in the waves crashing up on the rocks. I then paddled over to Front Beach where I took a break and had some snacks, before heading back.

Sunset Paddle

Date: July 19, 2008
Time: Just before sunset
Length: about 1 1/2 hours
Place: Plug Pond Haverhill
Distance: n/a
Grade: B
Notes: Just and afternoon paddle around the Pond. Today was a very warm day so it was nice to get on the water after it had cooled down a bit. While paddling, the public beach closed, so after everybody cleared out, we paddled to the shore, beached the kayaks and went for a very refreshing swim.

Biking the Minutemen

Date: July 15, 2008
Time: late afternoon
Length: about 2 1/2 hours
Place; Minuteman Bikeway. Bedford to Cambridge, but we only went halfway, which was Lexington
Distance: 13 miles round trip
Grade: B
Notes: Converted train path, now a smooth flat asphalt trail through neighborhoods in Bedford,and Lexinton. Path goes right by historic Lexinton Common, site of the famous "Shot heard 'round the world," and the site of the first battle of the American Revolution.