Recommended Places to Visit: Petersham

Recreation

Hiking

Recommended:
Swift River Reservation: Nichewaug Tract
Nichewaug Road near Choate Drive

Rutland Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
End of Allen Camp Road

Quabbin Gate 40: Old Dana Town Common
Hardwick Road near Glen Valley Road

Quabbin Gate 40: F-94 Starfire Crash Site
N42°° 24.657 W72° 14.364

Quabbin Gate 37: Soapstone Hill
End of Monson Turnpike Road. N42°° 28.379 W72° 15.776

Tried:
Brooks Woodland Preserve
Quaker Drive

North Common Meadow
East Street

Water Bodies
Brown Pond
East Street and Shaw Road

Harvard Pond
New Salem Road near Old New Salem Road


Gauco Pond
200 Monson Turnpike Road


Museums
Fisher Museum
324 North Main Street

Architecture

Monuments

Town Common
West Street and Common Street

Places of Worship

Orthodox Congregational Church
21 North Main Street

St. Peter's Church
18 North Street

First Congregational Church
1 Common Street

St. Mary's Monastery
271 North Main Street

Most Holy Trinity Monastery
67 Dugway Road



Schools
Petersham Center School
31 Spring Street

Town Facilities
Town Hall
3 South Main Street

Memorial Library
23 Common Street


Restaurants

Tried:
Western

Quabbin Woods Restaurant
8 Barre Road
Recommended Dishes:
Eggs Irish

June 6th 2019: Going North to New Hampshire

I started out today in the northeastern central Massachusetts town of Petersham,

St. Mary's Monastery

checking out the Most Holy Trinity Monastery,

Next, it was on to the town of Athol,

LS Starrett Company

Old Lyman Ward School,
2175 Main Street

Old Second Advent Christian Church,
1282 Main Street

Fish Park

going on a hike at Lawton State Forest, where the path I took to explore various parts of it is shown below in pink.

I first tried to get to the Meadow Vista from the shorter end of the ridge section, but it was so overgrown that I gave up, although I realized later that I was actually really close to my goal at that point. I decided to try from the other end of the trail. The going was a little better, but not much, the red blazes on the trees just barely keeping me from getting lost, all the way until I reached the supposed vista, which literally meant a view of the meadow.

What a waste of time. Next, I went to find the water bodies here, which were just alright.

The Skyfields Arboretum area yielded nothing either. A disappointing hike overall.

Next, it was on Richmond NH,

Richmond Community Church

Cass Pond

Public Library

Fire Department

Sandy Pond

to hike the Metacomet Monadnock Trail in Richmond NH, where the path I took is shown below in black.

Nothing much to see here unless you are into rocks,

including a stone bridge just across the state line back in Massachusetts.

After finally returning to my car, it was on to the town of Swanzey NH for my final hike of the day, at Carroll's Hill, where the path I took is shown below in pink.

I was somewhat exhausted after my long hikes today, and would have got lost if not for my spotting the arrows appropriately placed at the major turns, although I missed one as you can see. I was just glad that the view at the end was worth the trip, even with the rain.

Heading back was even more of an adventure, the rain falling so hard that people were stopping by the side of the road to wait the rain out, and there was even a car stuck in the water, the tow truck having to come to pull it out while the police blocked traffic. I decided to stop for a bite at the Colonial Hotel in Gardner. Pretty nice hotel in the middle of nowhere.

With respect to the Colonial Grille located within the hotel,

I got the New England Meatloaf (New England Style meatloaf covered with a savory gravy & topped with crispy onion strings. Served with garlic mashed potatoes & vegetable du jour),

which unfortunately was a tad salty.

Dinner was at Jimmy's Tavern in Shrewsbury,

where we got the Salmon Oscar (salmon topped with bearnaise sauce, shrimp and fresh asparagus) and Jimmy's Special Rice Pilaf this time around.

Excellent meal to cap an otherwise rained out day after my last hike.

April 17th 2017: Getting Lost in Warwick

I started out this Patriot's Day in the town of Hubbardston, Checking out the Mason Brook Falls at 42 Healdville Road, which was going strong today.

Next, it was on to the town of Petersham

Brooks Woodland Preserve

for a hike at the North Common Meadow, where the path I took is shown below in pink.

Nothing much here though,

And the pond was overflowing its banks this time of year.

From here, passing through Orange,

540 South Main Street

it was on to the town of Warwick,

Wheeler Pond, 997 Orange Road

To look for the Hockanum Hill Overlook Trail on Hockanum Road. I had some trouble finding the trailhead,  so I asked a local resident for some help,  and he was able to point me in the right direction. The problem was, there are apparently many trails in this area,  and I failed to heed his words that there would be a sign at the right place,  choosing to head into the first trail I saw, walking down the wrong way,  going on and on without finding the supposed view until I reached the road way on the other side,  only to realize I had not been on the right trail. I walked the road all the way back to my car.  On further searching,  I finally found the right place with the sign and a small parking area. The actual trail itself was short and steep heading uphill, to a view that was just alright,  being mostly covered by the treetops.

From here, I went to check out Gales Pond at the southern end of Gale Road,

Then went on to my next hike to find the Kidder Falls. Once again, with few clues about where the trailhead is, I went down the Metacomet Monadnock Trail from Old Winchester Road, only to realize I was only moving further away from where the falls were supposed to be. Apparently they have rerouted the   trail. Retracing my steps, I checked my notes carefully, and finally found the right Road to go down, a dirt Road closer to the junction with Robbins Road and Old Winchester Road, where I could immediately hear the sound of the falls roaring on Kidder Brook. In my hurry to get to the falls, I took the trails that seemed to Lead me closer to the falls,  but close to the end,  I found I had to bushwhack a little too get to the falls. It was worth the effort though.

I then went further down the old Metacomet Monadnock Trail,  not being able to find the supposed viewpoint North of the falls. At this point I decided to call it a day for hiking,  embarking on the long drive home,  stopping by Captain Bob's Drive-In, a Hot Dog place in Princeton which is apparently also the home of the owner, where I got a Hot Dog.

Nothing special though.

I then headed back into Worcester to get some takeout from Choose and Mix, which we were just at last week.

This time, I got the Galbi (Korean barbecue ribs) and Sweet Chicken Wings.

The ribs were really delicious,  although the wings were soggy after the trip home.

Oh well, after getting lost twice in Warwick today, that's Nothing.