October 13th 2018: Hiking in Peabody and Danvers

I started  out this morning with a hike at the Bonfanti Conservation Area and the Sydney's Pond Conservation Area, where the paths I took are shown below in pink.

I first headed to the bottom of the area, entering from the end of Sunset Drive. Nice views of both sides of Spring Pond from here.

The views from the end of Martinack Road and Spring Pond Road were not too bad either.

Next, the Sydney's Pond Conservation Area at the parking lot of the Meadow at Peabody Golf Club.

Walking down the boardwalk to the left,

There were nice views from the viewing platform,

but the views were better from the right side of the area.

From here, it was on to the town of Danvers, where I visited Endicott Park, which has a farm

a museum,

and an area to hike as well.

From here, I stumbled upon the St. John's Preparatory School campus

before heading for another hike at College Pond. The path I took here is shown below in pink.

The first water body was nothing to look at,

but at least the boardwalk

led to a nice view of the pond.

From here, I called it a day, heading to the Northshore Mall in Peabody, where we decided to take a break at Caffe Nero, getting a Kouign-Amann, 

which is a muffin shaped version of a croissant, but still tasty.

We also got some chocolates from Harbor Sweets, 

which were actually pretty good as well. With that, a good end to a day of hiking, after a long hiatus.

Recommended Places to Visit: Danvers

Recreation

Fruit Picking
Connors Farm
30 Valley Road


Hiking
Recommended:
Danvers Town Forest
54 Buxton Road

College Pond

8 Greenleaf Drive

Tried:
Proctor Farm
131 Conant Street


Mini-Golf
Monster Mini-Golf (chain)
10 Newbury Street

Theme Parks
Coco Key Water Park Boston North Shore
50 Ferncroft Road

Water Bodies

Putnamville Reservoir
322 Locust Street

Mill Pond
Pond Street and Peabody Avenue

Ferncroft Pond
30 Ferncroft Road

Shopping Malls
Liberty Tree Mall
100 Independence Way


Museums
Danvers Historical Society
11 Page Street


Cinemas
AMC Loews Liberty Tree Mall 20
100 Independence Way


Parks
Endicott Park
57 Forest Street


Beaches
Sandy Beach
44 River Street

Harbors
Pope's Landing Marine
10 Harbor Street

Crane River Marina
66 McDewell Avenue

Danversport Yacht Club
161 Eliott Street

Architecture

Monuments

People's United Bank Clock
1 Conant Street

War Memorials
1 Sylvan Street

Danvers Witch Memorial
176 Hobart Street

William Penn Hussey
Water Street and Pulaski Street

101st Field Artillery Regiment
2 Armory Road

Places of Worship

Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church
188 Elliott Street

Calvary Chapel North Shore
352 Andover Street

North Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
323 Locust Street

Maple Street Congregational Church
90 Maple Street

St. Mary of the Annunciation Church

24 Conant Street

First Baptist Church
1 Water Street

All Saints Episcopal Church of the North Shore
46 Cherry Street

Holy Trinity United Methodist Church
16 Sylvan Street

First Church of Danvers Congregational
41 Centre Street

St. Richard's Church
90 Forest Street

Monastery of Discalced Carmelite Nuns
15 Mount Carmel Road

Commercial Buildings
Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Boston North Shore
50 Ferncroft Road

Town Facilities
Lyons Ambulance Services
135 Maple Street

Fire Department
64 High Street

Peabody Institute Library
15 Sylvan Street


Schools
Holten Richmond Middle School
55 Conant Street

St. John's Preparatory School
72 Spring Street


Historical Buildings
Glen Magna Farms
End of Ingersoll Street

Essex Agricultural School
562 Maple Street

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Dessert
Kaffmandu Coffee House
8 Maple Street
Recommended Dishes:
Coconut Chocolate Mocha
Hot Chocolate

Breakfast

Harbor Cafe
125 Liberty Street
Recommended Dishes:
Stackemallow Crepe
Hot Chocolate

Mexican

Rio Bravo Tex-Mex
194 Endicott Street
Recommended Dishes:
Crispy Calamari
Torta Ahogada
Elotes de la Plaza

Tried:
Japanese
Blu Karma
6 Purchase Street
Recommended Dishes:
Malaysian Roti Canai with Curry Sauce
Red Spider Roll

Deli
Lena's Original Subs
9 Wenham Street
Recommended Dishes:
New England Clam Chowder

Panera Bread (chain)
100 Independence Way
Recommended Dishes:
Wild Blueberry Scone
Cheese Pastry
Passion Fruit White Hibiscus Iced Tea

Western
Prime Roast Beef and Pizza
85 Andover Street
Recommended Dishes:
Roast Beef Sandwich 3 Way


Mediterranean
Gyro World
90 Elm Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mixed Meats Skepasti

October 12th 2018: Steak and Cheese from Panera, Shrewsbury

For lunch today, I had a Steak & White Cheddar Panini (Seared steak, pickled red onions, Vermont white cheddar and horseradish sauce all grilled on Artisan Ciabatta) from the Panera in Shrewsbury.

Would have been good if not for the onions.

October 7th 2018: Fall Foliage Along the Kancamagus Highway

We headed into New Hampshire this morning to check out the fall foliage along the famed Kancamagus Highway. Along the way, we decided to stop for lunch at Jena's Lobster Quest, a seafood place in Ossipee NH for lunch.

Luckily for us, today was their last day of operations for the season.

We got the Clam Chowder,

the Fisherman's Platter with Garlic Smashed Potatoes and Cole Slaw and Lobster Roll on Hot Dog Roll,

and Steamers.

Pretty fresh and good, especially for some of my family members who have not had such food before.

From here, we headed to the Kancamagus Highway,

where our first stop was the Lower Falls Scenic Area in Albany NH.

Pretty nice falls right next to the road.

Next, we headed to the Rocky Gorge area. Another more beautiful waterfall,

with a bridge from which to view it.

Crossing the bridge, I went on a short hike to get to Falls Pond, which was pretty serene.

With that, we called it a day, heading into Lincoln NH to try to get a bite to eat at the Depot Mall at 264 Main Street,

but all the restaurants were fully booked, so we had to settle for ice cream at Aloto Gelato,

getting the Rosanna Raspberry Sorbetto

which was pretty good, although we were still hungry.

From here, while trying to avoid the traffic, we stumbled into the town of Tilton NH,

The Indian Queen,
Main Street and School Street

Old Trinity Church Episcopal,
274 Main Street

Northfield Tilton Congregational Church

287 Main Street

heading to the Onions Pub and Restaurant for dinner.

We got the Linguini Mediterranean (shrimp, scallops, calamari and mussels with black olives, shallots, garlic and sun-dried tomatos tossed in white wine and olive oil)

and the Bermuda Fish Chowder (a hearty tomato based soup laced with "ONIONS" own sherry peppers and Goslings Black Rum),

both of which were actually pretty tasty.

At least a satisfying meal for a long trip home from foliage peeking along the Kancamagus Highway.

October 6th 2018: Meals in Worcester and the Boston Area

I started out this morning with breakfast at El Nuevo Amanecer Restaurant, a small  Salvadoran cafe in Worcester which used to be Recalde's Sidewalk Cafe. I got the Salvadorian Breakfast (Sweet Plantains, eggs and beans),

Nothing special, and definitely not the eggs with the onions.

Later on, while in Boston, I first headed to Shredded, a fast food salad place,

getting the SWEET POTATO PAD THAI (sweet potato noodles, shredded carrots, hard boiled farm egg, scallions, cilantro, bean sprouts toasted crushed peanuts, sweet chili peanut dressing).

Once again, nothing special, even though it is their best selling dish. Says a lot I guess.

Next, I headed to Neponset Cafe, which is more of a cafe that serves ramen as well, owned by Vietnamese.

I got the Sakurajima Ramen (Spicy tonkotsu soup with pork chashu, scallion, bean sprouts, seasoned bamboo shoots, half seasoned boiled egg, fried onion),

which was actually pretty good. I might come back again for their other stuff.

Next, Jerk, a Jamaican cafeteria, where I decided to just get a Jamaican Dumpling.

I thought there was filling in it, but I was wrong. Guess that's why it was so cheap at less than a buck.

Finally, Restaurante Cesaria, a Cape Verdean restaurant nearby.

I got the Katchupa Refuguda (refried Katchupa (slow simmered stew of hominy, pork, beef, beans and collard greens),with two eggs and linguica),

which took an extremely long time to come, such that I had to get it to go, but it did not taste like much either. A definite waste of my time.

October 5th 2018: Takeout from Imperial Buffet, Shrewsbury

While working late today, my boss decided to get us some food from Imperial Buffet in Shrewsbury.

Filling, but nothing special.