August 9th 2026: More Hiking in Grafton, and Biking in Hudson

 Today, we were back in Grafton,

Perry Hill Park

Brigham Hill Community Farm

this time revisiting the northern part of the Potter Hill Meadows area, where the path we took here from the end of Bay Colony Circle and from Brigham Hill Road is shown below in pink.

Nothing much to see in the Rita Martin Preserve side, 

and we entered far to the left of our intended entrance at the P and S Williams Conservation Restriction, getting a little disoriented until I finally figured out where we were. The water body that we were looking for here was unfortunately a little dried out.

Not a great time hiking in Grafton these past two days.

Later in the afternoon, we went biking at the newly constructed part of the Mass Central Rail Trail, from 14 Wilkins Street in Hudson

 to the junction with the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Sudbury.

Really tiring chasing after the little one with only a scooter, but very smooth ride overall.

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.

November 11th 2024: Afternoon Hike at The Desert Natural Area, Marlborough

 Today, after passing through Hudson, 

Intel Field

WestRidge Condominiums

We went on a hike at The Desert Natural Area in Marlborough, where the path we took from 1126 Concord Road through the forest is shown below in pink.

Nothing much to see here though, and the water body here was dry as well.

Oh well, better hike next time.

Recommmended Places to Visit: Hudson

Recreation

Biking
Assabet River Rail Trail
14 Wilkins Street

Mass Central Rail Trail 
14 Wilkins Street

Water Bodies
Bruces Pond
~164 Apsley Road


Schools
Mary O'Malley CHAPS Academy
127 Forest Avenue

Parks

Wood Park
Park Street and Rutland Street

Tripp Pond/Lamson Park
65 Green Street

Intel Field

92 Technology Drive

Roller-Skating
Roller Kingdom
5 Highland Park Avenue


Museums

Hudson Historical Society

43 Broad Street

Shopping Malls

Highland Commons Shopping Mall
Coolidge Street and Highland Common Road East

Cabela's (chain)
44 Highland Common

Hiking

Recommended:

Danforth Falls Conservation Area
Lincoln Street near Bradford Road

Waterfalls
Assabet River
Washington Street near South Street

Beaches
Centennial Beach
Sebago Road


Architecture

Monuments

Liberty Park
~5 Washington Street

Memorial
Central Street and Lincoln Street

Places of Worship

First United Methodist Church
34 Felton Street

St. Michael's Parish
21 Manning Street

Carmel Mar Thoma Church
467 River Street

Grace Baptist Church
363 River Street

First Federated Church
200 Central Street

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
5 Washington Street

Unitarian Church of Hudson and Marlborough
80 Main Street

Historical Buildings
Old LaRosee & Sons Factory (demolished)
15 Broad Street

Hudson Portuguese Club
13 Port Street

Landing at Hudson Mills

43 Broad Street

Commercial Buildings
Tighe Hamilton Funeral Home
50 Central Street

WestRidge Condominiums

End of WestRidge Road

Schools

Hubert School

119 Broad Street

Mulready Elementary School

306 Cox Street

Town Facilities

Town Hall
78 Main Street

Fire Department
296 Cox Street

Fire Department #2
1 Washington Street

Massachusetts Army National Guard
35 Washington Street

Hudson Public Library

3 Washington Street

Hudson Public Schools

155 Apsley Street

Police Department

911 Municipal Drive

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Latin American

Taco Gato
111 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Varlet

Maduros

Carnitas al Oregano

Corn Salad

Beef Empanada

Steak Fries

Burger Aplastado

Tostada Pork Belly

Western
Amaia Martini Bar
176 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Moroccan Lamb Tips
Bacalhau Cakes
Apple Cider French Onion Soup
Pumpkin Tiramisu

Less Than Greater Than
28 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Duck Cassoulet
Summer Vegetable Salmoriglio

Wild Hare

43 Broad Street

Recommended Dishes:

Matcha Latte

Mushroom Toast

Wagyu Sloppy Joe

Savory Popcorn

Strawberry Parfait

Benedict in a Hole

Pork Belly Sammie

Wild Hair of the Dog

Caffe Latte

Rail Trail Flatbread Company
33 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Spiced Pear 
Cubano
Gorg and Squash 
BLT
Steak and Cheese

Frozen Watermelon Cooler

Nuggets

Short Rib Benedict

Honey Beet

Lamb Jam

Harvest Cafe

40 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Shrimp Quesadillas
Hot Chocolate
Pumpkin Risotto Benedict
Bacon, Cheddar and Tomato Quiche
Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
Orange Soy Braised Pork Ribs
Kahlua Brownie Sundae

Chloe Bistro
23 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Apple Walnut Dumpling
Meatloaf
Crispy Pork Shank

 
Dessert
Hudson Sweet Boutique
25 South Street

Recommended Dishes:

Key Lime Pie

Silva's Bakery
140 Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Pasteis de Nata

Cafe 641

45 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Tropic Nut Latte
Orchard Crepe

New City Microcreamery (chain)
28 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Vegan Chocolate Avocado
Vegan Strawberry
Lime Avocado

Portuguese
Old School House Pub and Restaurant
17 School Street

Recommended Dishes:
Grilled Limpets
Salmon on Portuguese Clay
Molotof

Fig Cheesecake

Octopus Vinaigrette Salad

Iscas de Figado

Small Steak w/ Egg, Fries & Rice

Littlenecks Bulhão Pato 

Japanese

Feng Sushi and Grill
191 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Dragon Bomb Roll
Shrimp Mango Roll


Tried:
Breakfast

Main Street Bagel Factory

51 Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Beef and Cheese Bagel Sandwich

Food Truck
VeeBop's
33 Gates Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Despicable Me Minion
Frozen Birthday Cake Dessert Bar


Portuguese
Riverview Restaurant
13 Port Street
Recommended Dishes:
Bife a Micaelense
Mandioca
Portuguese Fries

Dessert
Vintage Cafe
246 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Raspberry Strudel

Crumbl Cookies (chain)
3 Highland Commons W

Recommended Dishes:

Milk Chocolate Chip

Good Earth Holistic Kitchen

43 Broad Street

Recommended Dishes:

The Hidden Bunny Smoothie

Italian
Sofia Ristorante
158 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Beef Fagottini

Brazilian

Gauchao Burgers

111 Apsley Street

Recommended Dishes:

X-Tudo Burger

Western

Kith and Kin

40 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

Kith Royale

Chicken and Corn Chowder

Fried Cauliflower

Kid's Fish and Chips

Mixed Berry Sorbet

Strawberry Shortcake

Finnegan's Pub
25 South Street
Recommended Dishes:
Finnegan's Wings

FreshWing
246 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
X-Large Wings
Zesty Orange
Sesame Ginger
Mild Buffalo

Checkerboards Restaurant and Bar
10 Technology Drive
Recommended Dishes:
Pastrami and Cheese

Welly's Restaurant (chain)

23 Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Kid's Fish and Chips

Santa Fe Salad

Strawberry Pomegranate Mimosa

Crispy Chicken Eggs Benedict

Chocolate Lava Cake

KFC/Taco Bell (chain)
282 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

KFC Tenders

Cantina Chicken Quesadilla Meal

Horseshoe Pub
29 South Street
Recommended Dishes:
Pub Chicken Wings
Zesty Shrimp Scampi
The Gardner

September 2nd 2024: Hiking in Stow, Playground in Hudson, Dessert in Marlborough

 Today, we started out with a hike in the town of Stow at the Assabet Overlook Conservation Area. It was a little hard to find the trailhead at the junction of Forest Road and Joanne Drive, but eventually we did based on the instructions on the signboard. The path we took here is shown below in pink.

Nothing much to see here though.

From here, we went to spend some time at the playground belonging to Mulready Elementary School in Hudson,

then headed to the Marlborough location of Ben and Jerry's for some dessert,

getting the strawberry flavor.

A good end to a day of traipsing through 3 towns.

July 4th 2024: Finding Things to Do on July 4th

 Today, we started out in Bolton,

West Pond, 27 Long Hill Road

then visited the Mary Rowlandson Elementary School in Lancaster for its playgrounds,

before checking out the Crumbl Cookies location in Hudson,

getting the Milk Chocolate Chip.

Not a bad end to a day where pretty much everything is closed.

February 3rd 2024: Jump Nation, Shrewsbury

 Today, after getting a Mango Pineapple Tropical Smoothie from the McDonald's in Hudson,

We went for a birthday party at Jump Nation in Shrewsbury. Nothing really special about this place in my opinion, and a little on the dingy side.

At least the little one had loads of fun.

August 12th 2023: Brunch in Hudson, Ice Cream in Concord

 Today, we decided to have brunch again at the Wild Hare in Hudson, this time getting the Caffe Latte,

the P ORK BELLY SAMMIE  (l e m o n g r a s s & s oy g l a z e d p o rk b e l ly, sesame cucumber, & kimchi aioli o n h o u s e c i a b a t t a . s e r v e d w i t h h o u s e g r e e n s . )

and the WILD HAIR OF THE DOG  (p o r k & b e e f h o t d o g , t o m a t o j a m , c h e e s e s a u c e , o n i o n c r i s p s . s e r v e d w i t h h o u s e g r e e n s).

Really delicious, especially the crispy pork belly.

Later, we decided to get some ice cream from Bedford Farms Ice Cream in Concord, the Bedford location of which we visited before 2 years ago.

This time, we got Peach

and Red Raspberry Chip.

Pretty good end to a hot day.

July 15th 2023: A Day of Water Fun at Artesani Playground, Boston

 We started out this morning with brunch at the Wild Hare in Hudson, which we visited once before, this time getting the STRAWBERRY PARFAIT  (h o n e y y o g u r t , g r e e n s t r a w b e r r y c o u l i s , f r e s h s t r a w b e r r i e s , m a p l e o a t g r a n o l a),

the CAPPUCCINO (double shot / milk / foam),

and the  BENEDICT IN A HOLE  (s l o w p o a c h e d e g g , h e r b h o l l a n d a i s e , b a c o n l a r d o n s &frisee on house brioche + add on - roasted mushrooms)

Excellent meal as always from this place.

From here, we went to the Dick's Sporting Goods in Natick to get some ice skates for my little one, 

then on to the Brighton area of Boston,

Boston Public Library: Brighton Branch

getting lunch at MDM Noodles, a Chinese restaurant in town,

where we got the Guilin Rice Noodle

and the Spicy Boiled Lamb Hand Pulled Noodles.

Pretty good flavor in both dishes I must say.

From here, it was on to the Artesani Playground at Christian Herter Park nearby for the rest of the day, where my little one had lots of fun splashing around, although everyone was chased out of the pool when someone puked.

After a day a water fun, we ended it with some dessert at Far Out Ice Cream in Brookline, where they serve New Zealand style ice cream.

We got the KOOKABERRY (CHOICE OF BASE, STRAWBERRY, BLUEBERRY, RASPBERRY)

and the NZ COLADA (VANILLA ICE CREAM, MANGO, PINEAPPLE, TOASTED COCONUT FLAKES).

Pretty good flavors, with mini fruit bits in them. Different sort of ice cream for sure.