March 31st 2014: Getting My Socks Wet in Spencer

Today after work, I decided to go hiking at the Sibley Farm area, parking at the lot on Greenville Street in Spencer. The path I took to get to the various viewpoints is shown below in pink.

When I started on the hike, I already knew that it was going to be a wet one, waterlogged soils being the only path I could walk on. Getting up to Burncoat Hill was pretty treacherous, and the views were just decent.

From here, I headed down the hill to Otter Pond, where streams blocked my path to it, but I just willed myself to find a way across, and did so, barely. After taking my pictures here,

it was time to head back. With the sun quickly setting, I decided to take the Sibley Trail back this time, but instead of avoiding the wet path, this one was even worse, with me literally wading to my ankles, and my path collapsing beneath my weight at times, so much so that when the road was finally in sight, I decided to go to it instead of following to my car, using the road instead to head back.

Finally back in my car, I decided to head for dinner at Barber's Crossing, a bar restaurant in the town of Leicester.

I decided to go with the Flowering Onion (colossal white onion battered and deep fried)

and the Yankee Pot Roast (slow roasted, topped with beef gravy and served with mashed potatoes & vegetable). 

The onion was pretty good, although it got a bit too much after a while, especially because I am not particularly a fan. The pot roast was pretty tender, but otherwise just average.

Overall, a decent meal, after a crummy day of hiking in Spencer.

March 30th 2014: Hiking in Attleborough, Mansfield and Easton

On this rainy Sunday, I decided to head southeast to the town of Attleborough, where I had a deal at the Breakfast Place, a small diner in town.  Upon looking at the specials board, I jumped at the chance to try their egg benedicts with their Benedict Sampler, which allowed me to choose 3 different types, of which I went with the Hash (homemade Corned Beef Hash), Linguica (ground) and Steak (8 oz certified Angus Steak) Egg Benedicts. The dish also came with loaded home fries, and I ordered a side of Baked Beans as well.

The hash and the linguica were pretty good, although the steak was a little overcooked for me. Overall though, not too bad a meal, especially the home fries, except for the onions of course.

From here, it was on to visit a few parks in town,

Lloyd G Balfour Riverwalk Sculpture

Blackinton Park, ~192 North Main Street

before heading for my first hike at Larson Woodland. The path I took here to view the dam, which was flowing abundantly with the rain, and Mechanics Pond, is shown below in pink.

My next destination was the La Salette Shrine, which has some nice artwork, especially a giant rosary.

After leaving the shrine, I headed behind the shrine to the Attleboro Springs Wildlife Sanctuary, where I took a walk on the Reflection Trail.

There wasn't much to see here though.

Brothers Pond

Next, I tried to visit the Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary. The path I took to try to get to Lake Talaquega is shown below in pink.

Things were going okay until I reached the bridge area, where the path to the bridge was a little flooded, and I got myself wet trying to get to it. Unfortunately, on the bridge itself, I realized that there was no pathway to the other side as it was all flooded. Dejectedly, I had to wade my way back and went back to my car all wet. Oh well, hopefully it will be much drier the next time I come back to this place. Not giving up just yet.

I visited the Phil and Ginny Leach Wildlife Sanctuary as well, where I tried to look for the water bodies here, but they weren't anything of note, so I definitely am not coming back here again.

From here, it was on to the town of Mansfield, where a trip to the Great Woods on the Orange Trail failed to yield any good sightings,

and then on to Easton, where I visited the Wheaton Farm Management Area. The path I took to view the water bodies here is shown below in pink.

The views weren't too bad, at least better than most of the other places I have been to today.

The last place I visited today was the Governor Oliver Ames Estate, which I had been to in the past. This time around, I took a walk on the property, heading into the adjacent Langwater Estate as well, although I wasn't sure if I was trespassing here. At least I did not get caught. Pictures I took here of the beautiful houses follow.

With that, I headed to Stoughton to grab a quick, healthy lunch at Yes, It's All Good, a deli shop located within the LA Fitness in town.

Here, I got the Banana Split Shake (1 scoop of vanilla protein, banana, pineapple, strawberry, 10 ounces skim milk, ice)

and the All American Wrap (Sliced Turkey, Ham and American Cheese).

The drink wasn't too bad, while the wrap was way too healthy and tasteless for me.

Next, it was on to the kitchen in Malden to do a tasting of my food truck's food that is to be started in 2 days time, which was excellent as always.

After the tasting, we had the Michigan-Kentucky college basketball game to watch, so we decided to head to Dockside Restaurant nearby to watch the game, getting the Riverview Chilli Nachos for snacks as we were too full from the tasting to eat any more.

It's a pity Michigan lost though, just because of a last minute score. Oh well. At least the food tasting went well today.