May 27th 2025: Cat Rocks, Finally

 Today, I had a second go at finding Cat Rocks in Sterling. This time, the path I took is shown below in pink.

The path to get to the rocks was really hard to find, being a somewhat hidden side trail to the left after having turned right at a fork in the cart road we had taken to get to the Onion Patch before. Thankfully I managed to find it, not being prepared for the steep uphill bushwhack I had to make to get to the top of Cat Rocks. Even so, the great view was only at one spot.

It was another bushwhack to the west to get back to the trail leading to Leominster State Forest northward, which I then took to get back to the road to lead me back to the car. Definitely not worth coming back again until they develop the paths here.

Recommended Places to Visit: Sterling

Recreation

Biking
Mass Central Rail Trail
15 Waushacum Road


Kids

Davis Family Fun Adventures
145 Redstone Hill


Parks
Sterling Greenery Community Park
36 Muddy Pond Road


Museums
Historical Society
7 Pine Street

Water Bodies
Stuart Pond
Justice Hill Cutoff near Farm Road

West Waushacum Pond
31 Gates Road 

The Quag
83 Gates Road on the Central Mass Rail Trail

Hy-Crest Pond
350 Upper North Row Road

Hiking
Recommended:
Muddy Pond

68 Muddy Pond Road

East Waushacum Overlook
End of Tara Lane

Wekepeke Conservation Land/Allenwood Trail
48 Heywood Road

Fitch Basin/Gaylord Trail
47 Heywood Road

Heywood Reservoir
218 Upper North Row Road

Wachusett Reservoir
Chace Hill Road and Metropolitan Road

Tried:

Rocky Brook Conservation Area

129 Beaman Road 

Cat Rocks

39 Lucas Road

Hog Hill Trail

End of Merrill Road

Beaches

Sholan Park
30 Hall Avenue


Architecture

Town Facilities
Conant Public Library
4 Meetinghouse Hill Road

Sterling Airport

121 Greenland Road

Schools

Houghton Elementary School
32 Boutelle Road

Monuments

Town Common
Main Street and Meetinghouse Hill Road

Places of Worship
First Church in Sterling
6 Meetinghouse Hill Road

Sterling Seventh Day Adventist Church
29 Maple Street

St. Richard of Chichester
4 Bridge Street

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Mexican

The Brick Mexican Grill

27 Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Homemade Red Sangria

The Brick Chicken Mole

Lentil Soup

Tres Leches Cake

Western
Davis BBQ

145 Redstone Hill Road

Recommended Dishes:

Keto Bowl

Chicken Nuggets

Belichick Sandwich

Harvest Grille
27 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Seafood Trio
Kale Salad
Mushroom and Tarragon Soup


Tried:
Deli:

Emma's Cafe
37 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:

The Antioxidants

Pesto Chicken Panini

Our Signature Turkey Chili

Dessert

Rota Spring Farm
117 Chace Hill Road

Recommended Dishes:

Kiddie Sundae

Chinese
Sterling Deli and Chinese Takeout
50 Leominster Road
Recommended Dishes:
General Gau's Chicken
Pork Fried Rice
Egg Roll

Western
Black Sheep Tavern
261 Leominster Road
Recommended Dishes:
Thai Peanut Chicken

Chocksett Cellar Grille
59 Laurelwood Road
Recommended Dishes:
Duck Confit Potstickers
Blood Orange Scallops
Frozen Chocolate Souffle


Breakfast
Over Easy Cafe
4 Johnson Road

May 26th 2025: In Search of Cat Rocks, Sterling

 Today, we decided to go on a hike in Sterling,

Sterling Airport

checking out the Cat Rocks area. The gated entrance is not where it seems to be on the map, but rather at around 39 Lucas Road. The path we took today is shown below in pink.

After finally finding the gate to start our trek, it was pretty hard to find the trails which were blocked by fallen trees, but we managed to get through with some views of Stuart Pond.

We tried to find the trail to Cat Rocks from the west side but could not, and had to give up and go towards the Onion Patch in Princeton. 

There, we found our way out cut off by the stream here,

with only a log to cross it, so we actually did, sitting on it while inching along it, and we managed to cross the stream. From here, it was a long road back along the streets of Princeton and Sterling, stopping by Sawyer Field in Princeton for a bit.

Going to come back again to find Cat Rocks, so stay tuned!

May 22nd 2024: Emma's Cafe, Sterling

Today, we decided to have brunch at Emma's Cafe in Sterling, which I went to once when it was still in Stow once when it was still in Stow. Nicer looking here, from what I recall.

We got The Antioxidants (avocado, spinach,blueberries),

the Pesto Chicken Panini (Fresh Basil, Provolone Cheese and Roasted Red Peppers)

and the Our Signature Turkey Chili (Low Fat Ground Turkey, Tomatoes, Red Beans, Black Beans, Onion, Jalapeno).

The drink and the sandwich were a tad bland however, and the soup was too sweet. Not as good as before, and not coming back again.

September 3rd 2023: Hog Hill Trail, Sterling

 Today, we decided to go on a hike at the Hog Hill Trail in Sterling, which apparently is part of the Wachusett Reservoir watershed. The path we took here from the end of Merrill Road is shown below in pink.

Some nice views, 

but somewhat overgrown, though still passable. Not coming back again due to the overgrown nature of the area.

July 1st 2022: A Day of Hiking, Gymnastics and Eating

 Today, we started out with a hike in the town of Sterling, at Rocky Brook Conservation Area. the path we took from 127 Beaman Road is shown below in black.

After the dry waterfall at the start, 

the trails were pretty confusing, with us getting lost a lot, even going out to private property on Brookside Lane at one point. There was no kettle pond to be seen on trail B, and the wetland pond on Trail C was nothing much to look at either.

Definitely not worth the long hike. From here, we went to get a quick bite from two food trucks in West Boylston, getting a Agua Fresca (Jamaica, Hibiscus) from Mortar and Pestle at 110 Beaman Road

and a Lobster Roll 

from Captain Ron's Kitchen.

Not too bad for a quick bite.

After our little one's class at KidStrong in Westborough, where he had lots of fun, 

We decided to go to Doragon Ramen in Ashland for dinner, this time getting the Salty Limeade,

the Crispy Chive Dumplings (Thai Crispy Chive Dumplings made with glutinous rice flour and chinese chives. Served with Ginger Chili dipping sauce.),

the Lobster Bao (Fresh Maine lobster, scallions/celery, shallots, fresno chilli, black garlic sriracha aioli, little leaf crisp greens, steamed soft sandwich bao)

the Udon Noodle Soup (Traditional Japanese tsuyu broth | fresh udon noodles | shrimp tempura & kamaboko | baby bok choy | menma | matsutake bean sprouts and egg.)

The bao was the most expensive, though it wasn't anything special. The chive dumplings were really good, although they looked weird in a cubic form. With that, an end to a day of hiking, gymnastics and eating.

June 18th 2022: Spending Time in Sterling

 Today, while in Sterling,

Houghton Elementary School

we started out with a hike at the Allenwood Trail portion of the Wekepeke Conservation Land, the Lynde Basins portion having been visited a while back. From 48 Heywood Road, the path we took here is shown below in black.

Nice views of Crystal Brook Farm from here,

Although the vernal pool here was nothing to speak of.

Next we went to Rota Spring Farm in town

for some ice cream, getting a Kiddie Sundae (Butter Crunch).

Not bad to end the day in Sterling, although we next went for dinner at the Sole Proprietor in Worcester.

This time around, we got the Mango Mojito (mango rum, mango fruja, mint leaves, lime juice, soda, sugared rim),

QUARTER POUND LOBSTER ROLL (QUARTER POUND OF LOBSTER MEAT WITH A TOUCH OF MAYONNAISE AND LEMON JUICE IN A TOASTED BRIOCHE ROLL. SERVED WITH FRENCH FRIES.),

which came with a PEAR & WALNUT SALAD (Romaine and arugula tossed with a honey tarragon vinaigrette, walnuts, dried cranberries and Bleu cheese. Topped with red wine poached pears), 

the CHILLED SEAFOOD PLATTER (Shrimp, Oysters, Clams & Mussels),

the Shrimp, Tomato Scampi with Spaghetti

and the WILD SPANISH OCTOPUS (Marinated Spanish octopus prepared sous vide, served with

Yukon potato, crumbled sausage, pickled chili, arugula.)

The drink was pretty flavorful, while the lobster and raw seafood was fresh, the fries were crispy, and the octopus had extremely good texture, with the sausage mashed potatoes completing the flavor, and the pasta was excellent as well. Overall, a really good meal here as always.

June 15th 2021: Muddy Pond, Sterling

 Today, as I had some time, I decided to go for hikes in the area around Muddy Pond in Sterling. First, I looked for views of the pond from 68 Muddy Pond Road, where the paths I took is shown below in pink.

Nice views of the pond here.

Next, I revisited the Stillwater Basin area, this time from the Griffin Road side in Sterling. The rough path I took here is shown below in pink.

The initial part of the trail is actually closed off due to resident privacy concerns. Got lost here trying to look for the view of Muddy Pond. The supposed place (I think) had too many tall trees for any view to be had, and the only view I got was of the Muddy Pond Field.

At least the mountain laurel were in bloom, otherwise it would have beena waste of a hike.