June 4th 2026: Hiking in Bolton and Food in Berlin and West Boylston

 Today, I started out with a hike at the Ballville Trails in Bolton, where I path I took from ~53 Sawyer Road to find the pond here is shown below in pink.

Some open meadows here,

but the water body itself wasn't much to speak of.

From here, we headed to the Berlin side of the Highland Commons shopping area, first checking out the new Ramen Haven,

getting the Signature Tonkotsu Ramen (A rich tonkotsu broth with smooth, hearty flavor. Served with corn, black fungus, bamboo shoots, half soft-soiled egg, scallions, nori, chashu belly, and red chili strips)

which was not bad, especially the pork belly.

Next, we went to the Playa Bowls location here, this time getting the Purple Mermaid Smoothie (Playa Pitaya® Base, banana, pineapple, vanilla protein, blue spirulina, coconut milk & coco whip), although the only picture I was able to take of it was after it was almost finished.

The last place we went to today wase Froze Zone in West Boylston,

getting the Fruity Pebbles flavor.

Wish the little one hadn't chosen this weird flavor, with soggy cereal in it to boot.

November 30th 2024: Spend the Day with the Little One

 We started out today with a bite at the Kentucky Fried Chicken/Taco Bell in Hudson, getting the KFC Tenders, Cantina Chicken Quesadilla Meal (cantina chicken quesadilla, crunchy taco, medium drink, guacamole and sour cream).

Pretty decent flavor to start the day with. 

From here we started exploring Sudbury,

Willis Pond

going on a short hike to find Cutting Pond, where the path we took from the intersection of Arboretum Way and Cutting Lane is shown below in pink.

Got a little lost here, 

but we found the canoe launch area in the end.

From here, it was on to the Captain Sargent Conservation Area in Stow, where the path we took from 147 Red Acre Road to get to the water body here is shown below in pink.

Nothing special though, especially being frozen today.

Finally, we passed through Harvard 

Eldridge Pond/Elizabeth Brook Reservoir,
29 Eldridge Road

on the way to dinner at the 110 Grill in Berlin,

getting the Kid's Chicken (Chicken tenders, white rice, French Fries)

and the 110 Cuban (Slow Cooked Pulled Pork, Sliced Ham, Swiss Cheese, Honey Mustard And Fried Pickles, Served On Griddled Thick Ciabatta.).

Delicious as always from this place, and my little one ate all the food on the plate for once.

July 9th 2023: Bolton Spring Farm, Bolton

 Today, we passed through Berlin

Frank C. Marini II Community Center,
59 Brook Lane

and Hudson

Police Department

to get to Bolton Spring Farm,

getting an Apple Cider Donut.

Not too bad, will be back to pick apples someday I guess.

Recommended Places to Visit: Berlin

Recreation

Fruit Picking
Berlin Orchards
310 Sawyer Hill Road       

Recommended Dishes:
Apple Cider Donut

Water Bodies
Wheeler Pond
Pleasant Street near Alden Drive

Fishing Derby Pond
34 South Street

Hiking

Recommended:

Lester Ross Flood Control Project
~90 Linden Street

Brewer Brook Conservation Area
Central Street and Pleasant Street

Gates Pond Reservoir
End of Taylor Road

Great Oak Farm
227 Highland Street

Tried:

Mount Pisgah/Dudley Pond

120 Linden Street

Architecture

Historical Buildings
Old Methodist Episcopal Church
19 Carter Street

Commercial Buildings

Autism Behavioral Center

1 Whitney Road

Frank C. Marini II Community Center

59 Brook Lane

Places of Worship

First Parish Church
24 Central Street

St. Joseph the Good Provider Church
52 West Street

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:

Japanese

Ramen Haven

54 Highland Commons East

Recommended Dishes:

Signature Tonkotsu Ramen

Dessert

Playa Bowls (chain)

48 Highland Commons East

Recommended Dishes:

Purple Mermaid Smoothie

Western

110 Grill (chain) 

60 Highland Commons East

Recommended Dishes:

Ginger Mule

Asian Calamari

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Onion Strings

Swordfish

Sweet Potato Fries

Hot Honey Chicken

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Chicken

110 Cuban

Tried:

Italian

Village Cafe and Pizza 

3 Bassett Road

Recommended Dishes:

Cheese Pizza

Clam Chowder

Western

Flat Penny Bar and Grill
263 West Street
Recommended Dishes:
Fish and Chips
Scallops and Bacon

November 24th 2021: 110 Grill, Berlin

 While in the area today, we decided to check out the 110 Grill in Berlin, which has similar decor to the other locations in town.

This time around, we got the Ginger Mule (New Amsterdam vodka, housemade apple ginger shrub, Goslings ginger beer),

the Asian Calamari (GOLDEN FRIED RINGS, TENTACLES AND BANANA PEPPERS, SERVED WITH A SIDE OF SWEET CHILI SAUCE),

the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (rich savory blend of roasted butternut squash finished with cranberry reduction and sweet maple cream)

the Swordfish (EAST COAST, LINE CAUGHT. PREPARED CAJUN STYLE ), with Onion Strings and Sweet Potato Fries

and the Hot Honey Chicken (Chicken Breast Brined In Pickle Juice, Deep Fried In Cajun Seasoned Flour, Shredded Lettuce And Pickle Chips On A Griddled Pretzel Bun, Topped With Hot Honey. ) and Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Once again, really good food from here, especially the soup and the fish, which wasn't too dry like at other places.

November 19th 2021: American Heritage Museum, Stow

Today, I decided to visit the American Heritage Museum, located in the town of Stow, although the road leading to it starts in Hudson. Before that, I passed through Berlin,

Autism Behavioral Center

before having to go to the Hudson Public Library to get the library pass. Small library with some interesting architecture.

From here, I headed toward the museum.

Hudson Public Schools

Hubert School

Really nice collection of tanks, with great presentation as well.

After finally leaving the museum, I decided to go on a hike at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, which I have visited before in the past.

The water bodies I came to see here were nothing to look at though.

From here, I passed through Sudbury

Heritage Park

back to Hudson to grab a bite from Main Street Bagel Factory, a small cafe in the downtown area,

getting an Everything Steak and Cheese Sandwich.

It was filling and not bad, although I wouldn't come back again, given there was nothing special on the menu.

Later for dinner, we went out with the family to Kinzen in Marlborough, the ramen place I visited a week ago.

This time around, we got the Chicken Karaage (Japanese style lightly battered fried chicken, Served with katsu mayo),

the Spicy Miso Ramen (spicy pork broth, cha-shu pork (marinated braised pork belly), menma (Japanese bamboo), wood ear mushroom, corn, scallion and sesame seeds), which I did not get to try,

the Tan Tan Ramen (spicy pork broth, cha-shu pork, chili oil, spicy ground pork, chili oil, spicy ground pork, bok choy, bean sprouts, scallion),

the Shoyu Ramen (pork broth, cha-shu pork, soy sauce, bean sprout, wood ear mushroom, scallion and black garlic oil)

and the Ducky Ramen (roasted duck, bok choy, corn, bean sprout, scallion and fried garlic).

The chicken was exceptionally crispy and juicy, and the ramen dishes I tried were excellent as well, although my other half though the pork was too fatty. Overall, a very productive day.