Exploring Massachusetts

Friday, February 18, 2022

February 18th 2022: Hiking in Hopkinton and Ashland

With the ice finally melted on the ground, I decided to venture out today for hikes, first at the Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton and Ashland, where the path I took to check out water bodies in areas I have not been to before is shown below in pink.

Nice views of the stream beside the Grebe Trail, but nothing much of note in the Long Trail area.

From here, it was on to the Brook Hollow Conservation Area in Hopkinton, where the path I took here to get to the Martha Foster Overlook is shown below in pink.

No views to be had here though from the overlook.

My last destination for the day was Ashland State Park in Ashland. I have been to the beach area before in the past, but did not explore much further. This time around, the path I took is shown below in pink.

Really nice views of Ashland Reservoir,

especially from the dam area.

With that, I called it a day for hiking, heading into town to grab a quick bite from Marathon Deli.

I got the Smoke House (Chicken fingers, cheddar & gouda, hickory bacon & tangy BBQ sauce),

which was a tad on the dry side. Not coming back again for sure. At least it was a pretty fruitful day for hiking.

Monday, February 14, 2022

February 14th 2022: Dinner at Yama Zakura, Northborough

Today, we decided to have dinner at Yama Zakura, a Japanese restaurant in Northborough which we have visited a few times in the past. This time around, we got the Sake Sangria (sweet combination of sake and strawberries with a splash of sprite),

the Hot Basil Noodle (Thai stir fried rice noodles with egg, mixed vegetables and basil in our house chili sauce),

the Yama Nachos (crispy wontons topped with spicy tuna, apple avocado salsa, ginger, sweet mayo and sesame seeds),

the Alligator (Shrimp tempura, avocado, and cucumber roll topped with seared kabayaki eel, panko, spicy Zakura sauce, and tobiko) and Lobster Bomb (Cucumber, avocado, and panko roll topped with lobster baked in a sweet lemon mayo sauce finished with spicy Zakura sauce, panko, and tobiko),

and finally the Chocolate Souffle for dessert.

Excellent flavors and textures as always from this place.

Friday, February 11, 2022

February 11th 2022: Lyndeborough, New Boston and Goffstown NH

Today, I headed into New Hampshire again, this time checking out the towns of Lyndeborough.

United Church of Lyndeborough

War Memorial,
Putnam Hill Road and Forest Road

Old Center Church,
1139 Center Road

New Boston,

New Boston Baptist Church

Whipple Free Library

Community Church of New Boston

Town Common,
Meetinghouse Hill Road and Mill Street

Fire Department

Old Engine House

Town Hall,
7 Meetinghouse Hill Road

New Boston Central School

and finally Goffstown.

St. Lawrence Church

Goffstown Congregational Church

Town Hall, 16 Main Street

Town Common,
Main Street and Elm Street

Granite State Christadelphian Hall

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

Goffstown School Superintendent

Post Office

Old Villa Augustina School,
208 South Mast Street

Pretty productive day, I must say, although my GPS failed halfway and I had to use my wits to get to my destinations despite losing my way a few times.

Sunday, February 6, 2022

February 6th 2022: Second Time at Evviva Trattoria, Marlborough

Today, we decided to have a family meal at the Evviva Trattoria location in Marlborough. I have been here before in the past, when its name was still Evviva Cucina.

This time around, we got the Cranberry Mule (Tito's Vodka, St. Elder Elderflower, Cranberry, Gosling's Ginger Beer, Dried Cranberry and Rosemary Garnish),

the Bonanza by Caymus which I did not get to try,

the Shrimp Scampi Pizza (White Sauce, Shrimp, Feta, Garlic, Marinated Tomatoes, Toasted Breadcrumbs) Montanara Style (Signature Fried Crust Fried, Light, Sweet),

the Italian Street Fries (Eggplant fries, arrabbiatta aioli, fresh herbs, romano),

the Balsamic Braised Short Rib (Slow Braised Beef Short Rib, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Creamy Mascarpone Polenta, Microgreens, Red Wine Demi),

the Shrimp, Clam & Mussels Fra Diavolo (Sauteed Shrimp, Mussels, Chopped Clams, Fra Diavolo Sauce, Fat Moon Farm Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers, Parsley, Spaghetti).