August 5th 2014: More Hiking in Northwestern Central Massachusetts

After work today, I passed by Calico and Creme in Hubbardston

on the way to Templeton to try to find Cook Pond within the Templeton State Forest, starting my hike on the Cook Pond Trail. The path I took here is shown below in black.

Unfortunately, when I got to the end of the trail, there were no views to be had as there was absolutely no path to the pond. I headed all the way back to my car, and tried to head to the Baldwin Hill Conservation Area in Phillipston to try to go for a hike there, but by then, it was already too dark to do so. What a waste of a day.

I ended up heading all the way back to Worcester to get a Meat Combo Pizza from Jimmy's Pizza, Subs and More.

Okay overall.

Recommended Places to Visit: Templeton

Recreation
Beaches
Partridgeville Pond (private)
Club Road near Partridgeville Road


Hiking
Tried:
Templeton State Forest
483 Hubbardston Road

Water Bodies
East Templeton Pond
191 Patriots Road

Stone Bridge Pond
71 Stone Bridge Road

Bourn-Hadley Pond
740 Patriots Road

Brazell Pond
157 Brooks Village Road

Architecture

Monuments

Town Common
Dudley Road and Patriots Road

Water Tower
657 Patriots Road

Places of Worship

First Church of Templeton
1 Wellington Road

Memorial Congregational Church
4 Memorial Street

St. Martin's Church
248 State Road


Historical Buildings
Steeple Antiques and Collectibles
137 Patriots Road

St. Vincent dePaul Church
18 Pleasant Street

Schools
Naragansett Regional High School
464 Baldwinville Road

East Templeton Elementary School
160 Patriots Road

Restaurants

Tried:
Western

Patriots Roast Beef and Grill
146 Patriots Road
Recommended Dishes:
Super Pastrami Sandwich

JK Crossroads
119 Patriots Road
Recommended Dishes:
Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich
Cream of Broccoli Soup

August 4th 2014: Sightseeing in Northwestern Central Massachusetts After Work

Today after work, I headed northward into Gardner,

Colonial Hotel

Stump Pond, 280 Pearl Street

Lake Wampanoag, 363 Raymond Street

Parker Pond, 440 West Street

Hobby's Pond, 271 Raymond Street

going for a hike at the Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, where the path I took here is shown below in pink.

There were beautiful views of the sunlight breaking through the clouds,

and decent views of the pond here.

I visited a few other places in Winchendon

Flis Pond, 150 Mill Glen Pond Road

and Templeton

Brazell Pond, 157 Brooks Village Road

before finally deciding to call it a day, heading back into Gardner for Chinese takeout from Kenny's Chinese Restaurant, getting the Beef Broccoli Mein Eye (beef sauteed in oyster sauce with broccoli, served on top of pan fried noodles).

It was actually really good, though nothing compared to the Bacon Shrimp I had last week.

July 8th 2014: Biking the Hubbardston/Phillipston/Templeton Section of the Ware River Trail

Today after work, I resumed cycling where I left off yesterday on the Ware River Rail Trail, heading north from 195 Williamsville Road in Hubbardston.

It was only when I crossed into Templeton that there were decent views of the Ware River from the bridge,

a small pond next to the trail,

and a water tower at Glenwood Kitchens USA.

By the time I reached the end, blocked by Route 2, the road had become so rocky that I decided not to carry on exploring the side trail at the end and head all the way back to my car.

It was almost dark when I finally got back, and decided to head to Rutland for some Chinese takeout dinner at Yang's Kitchen at 249 Main Street.

Before that, I happened to notice that Calico and Creme in Hubbardston was still open, so I decided to stop by to get some ice cream. I sampled the  minty chocolate Grasshopper ice cream and the nutty Elephant's Delight, eventually settling on the Watermelon Cooler, a mix of Watermelon sorbet and Sprite, which was delicious.

At Yang's Kitchen, I decided to get the Wok Su Duck, which was pretty good because of the crispy duck skin, and the lack of duck bones to pick out in the dish.

With that, another day of biking after work came to an end. I think I shall rest my legs till next week.

May 21st 2014: Dinner at Picasso Restaurant and Bar, Barre

My travels after work today resumed in the town of Hubbardston,

Wax Factory Pond, 187 Williamsville Road

moving into Templeton

Stone Bridge Pond, 71 Stone Bridge Road

Bourn Hadley Pond, 740 Patriots Road

and finally Phillipston,

Queen Lake Beach

where I went on a hike at the Red Apple Farm area at the Red Rose Trails, where the path I took is shown below in black.

The trails were marked with red apples, although the paths were slightly overgrown. I somehow managed to orientate myself the whole time, despite the tons of side trails around me. The view of the pond wasn't too bad,

with a small waterfall as well,

but it was the views of the surroundings at the top that were pretty nice.

When I finally got back to my car by walking along the road, I decided I had time enough to head to Picasso Restaurant and Bar in Barre before it closed for the night. This Italian place is pretty nice for a small town restaurant.

I decided to try out their 3 course dinner, which costs only $23, consisting of the Potato and Leek Soup for appetizers,

the Grilled Steak Tips with Onion Jam (roasted shallot mash, sauteed spinach) for an entree,

and finally the Chocolate Pots de Creme for dessert, a chocolate pudding which came in a small tea cup.

The soup was really good, while the onion jam was pretty interesting but went really well with the beef. An excellent meal overall, thanks to a colleague's recommendation.

May 19th 2014: Dinner at Cruisers Malt Shoppe, Gardner

Today after work, I traveled northeast, heading first for a hike at the Muir Meadows in Paxton. The path I took here to try to find the water body here is down below in pink.

Unfortunately, the pond here was non-existent. What a waste of time here. Heading next into Hubbardston, I visited a few water bodies here,

Brigham Pond,

Brigham Street and Evergreen Road

Waite Pond, 70 High Bridge Road

Bents Pond, 216 Gardner Road

then the same in Templeton.

East Templeton Pond, 191 Patriots Road

Partridgeville Pond Beach,

Club Road near Partridgeville Road

Gardner was my final destination for the day,

Kendall Pond Beach,

39 Kendall Pond Road East

Perley Brook Reservoir, 125 Clark Street

Beagle Pond, End of Beagle Club Road

Cowee Pond, 80 Wheeler Street

with beautiful views of Crystal Lake along Crystal Lake Drive,

and a short hike at the Otter River Conservation Area at the end of Airport Road. The path I took here is shown below in black.

The views of the water body here were pretty good.

Finally, it was time for dinner. At this late hour, I was lucky that the Cruisers Malt Shoppe, an ice cream diner place was still open. This place has an interesting collection of antique stuff put all around the store.

For food, I decided to go for the interesting stuff on the menu, getting the Frog Fries (With beef gravy and melted cheese)

and the Fried Haddock Nuggets,

along with a Strawberry Shortcake Sundae (Road Runner Raspberry Ice Cream, warm buttermilk biscuit, sweet strawberries and whipped cream) since this is an ice cream place.

I was expecting the frog fries to be something else other than poutine like fries, which they were, but still good though. The fish was fresh and crispy, but what I did not expect was the sheer size of the sundae. I even had to pack all that sinfulness to go. With that, my day of sightseeing after work came to an end.