Friends with (Paddling) Benefits

It's been 1 year since our iconic trip to Alaska with our good friends Tom & Kay.  Since that time, they have moved to Marblehead from central Mass, and more importantly, have purchased a couple of sit-on-top kayaks to enjoy the seaside life.

I have paddled in this area several times before and was looking forward to a return visit.  We joined our friends in the harbor parking area at about 1:20pm on a hot Saturday afternoon.  We won't have to retrace out route or spot cars because our take-out is right across the street from our put-in.

Marblehead Harbor is as picturesque as any harbor in New England.

We don't really have a plan, but we paddle to the end of the harbor, then decide we can circumnavigate Marblehead Neck.
Why not?

Thinking it might be time for a little stretch break, we head for a nearby beach and hope the residents of the houses above are friendly.

It turns out, the guy at the pool at the top of the wall was friendly, so we're all smiles..

But it's time to head off paddling again.  This is my only photo with all 4 kayaks in frame.

Betsy with downtown Boston in the background.  Is this sufficient "social distance"?

One more turn around the lower corner of the neck, then we're heading for home.

Betsy & Kay are in the home stretch paddling into Devereaux Beach.

Our total paddling distance was 4 miles in about 2:10.  It was a wonderful way to spend a hot summer day in New England.  After arriving back at the beach, we loaded up the boats and headed to the house.  That in itself would have been a fantastic day, but it only got better when we ventured out to the Barnacle Restaurant for a late lunch.  "Cheers!"  to good friends.

Family Hike

We had a map, but I forgot to turn on the tracking for this early summer hike in June.  Tanks to Mass DER, I was able to copy of portion of the Wachusett Mountain Reservation hiking trail map to show you where we went.

We park our car at Administration Road at the mountain's south side and set our sights on the Echo Lake and High Meadow Trails.  Hopefully, it won't be too strenuous on anyone. 

From High Meadow, we head down via the Jack Frost Trail.  As you can see by the contour lines it was a little steeper than I remember, but also sill a long ways from the summit.

Somebody doesn't need to take a nap and is raring to go!

When my kids were little, we did not have such fancy back packs.  They were held in by one flimsy little strap instead.

Yay!  First objective "Echo Lake" is met.

"Yes", we are definitely having fun yet.

So the High Meadow Trail is called that for a reason.  It was a bit of a climb to get up there.

Madeline thinks she's had enough of the backpack and would like to do a little walking too.