I finally get all the stuff ready, converting the GPS from a window suction mount back to a RAM mount, uploaded the WP's and Routes to the 1490, change lenses on the camera and get my one piece suit on. As I get older, it becomes more of a pain to get ready to go riding, but after I go thru the organizational trama of getting ready, I am happy I did.
I always have a targeted location for the Double Downs. The first one of the day is Westwood Garden which is a florist shop. I was wondering if it was the old Kabloom shop in Westwood, since I worked there when they existed and new the franchisee, not well but knew her. Just some of the things I think about when out of the bike.
Before I get there I passed the Medway Post Office and picked that up (not planned) for one of the Team Strange towns. They have to be a Post Office or Town Entering Sign.
From there it was off to Norwood Theater. Temps are rising but I am staying very comfortable in the Olympia. Temps always see about 10 degrees warmer in bigger cities. The theater was built in 1926-27 and was fashioned after the Lowe's State Theater in Boston. As I read the historical writing, it talks about the theater being restored back to its original façade. It appears they accomplished that. I wonder where Sammy, Dean, Frank, Peter and Joey are??
Quick stop at Holbrook House of Pizza.
From here it was off to Cohasset for the Town Hall. One passes thru Hingham to get there and this place just reeks of history and money. I love passing thru the center of these towns. As I was picking up the Cohasset (and why didn't they spell it Cohassett, it would have been worth 2 points and looks right too) looking around at the church next door and the one across the street I figured that just had to be a Historic District, so I snapped off a few more pics for Waymarking.
Cohasset was originally part of Hingham which was settled in 1635. It was known as "The Plain" and used for gathering hay and feeding livestock. It became a town in 1770 and its citizens gain independence from Hingham in both church and school. The First Meeting House was built in 1714. The town went thru the typical religious differences that occurred in a lot of New England towns causing a split between the Congregationalist and Unitarians. Its name means long rocky place.
Caught this really neat 60 Chevy coming right at me
The 2 churches in Cohasset that separated over Doctrine beliefs. Unitarian vs Congregationalists. They are within a stone throw from one another, right across the street.
And the pond on the green
Finished up there and headed for Mattapan when I passed this family on the outskirts of Cohasset. I passed these 2 girls and turned around because they were selling lemonade and it did not look like they had any customers. When I circled past them I pointed to them to indicate I would be stopping. I had 2 glasses of lemonade which really hit the spot. Yes I asked the parents if I could take a picture. I told one of them to lose their sunglasses for the picture.
As I headed thru Hingham, Weymouth and entering Quincy, I stopped at the USS Salem for a pic. This ship was commissioned in 1949 and is the only preserved Heavy Cruiser. It was built by Bethlehem Steel in Quincy. After sailing all over the world , the Salem found it's home in Quincy in 1994. It was also featured on Ghostbusters and they found evidence of paranormal activity.
It dawned on me, after passing the Adams National Historic Park visitor center, I was in the birth place of John and John Quincy Adams. I first went to the Old House which was the wrong location and the Park Ranger gave me the address of the birthplaces. Plug the address into the 1490 and picked up a Two-Fer for the Team Strange Presidential Grand Tour.
Checked my phone and it was 4pm and I was due to Giffs at 530pm. I sent a text to see if we were still on and took off for Mattapan.
Checked the phone and Giff asked if I needed more time and a simple NOPE was sent back. I had a general idea where I was but not really, however I knew I was not going to get all of the scheduled stops for the day. I figured I could grab Roxbury Crossing for the Double Down and pick up Needham, Needham Heights, Newton Upper Falls and Newton Lower Falls another day. (as I type this I just realized Newton Lower Falls is not a valid town. NO doubles LL are allowed. Sheesh).
The FJR thermometer is indicating 95 degrees out, however I am perfectly comfortable in the one piece riding suit. I am wearing both wicking shorts and T shirt under the suit, which keeps the sweat at bay. Cudo's to Olympia. This was the most challenging part of the ride. The roads are not in great shape and the drivers add an element of surprise and excitement. Finally arrive at the Roxbury Crossing MBTA station. Grab my pic and head for home.
The 1490 has me heading straight for Boston downtown to pick up the Mass Pike. It then dawns on me how deep I am into Boston. I AM THERE. Picked up the Mass Pike from Huntington Ave. Since I needed to make up some time, I exceeded the speed limit in some sections, but it felt good to stretch the legs out on the FJR after spending most of the day under 40mph. Pulled into the garage right at 5:30pm, texted Giff that I was gonna be about 10 minutes late and got rid of the riding stuff, grabbed the laptop, USB Drive with the maps and headed out to his house. Walter, who is also going to the Nova Scotia was already there. I had not eaten all day and other than the lemonade had nothing else to drink, so that first beer, which was that new Dells Lemonade Beer stuff ended the day perfectly.
CLICK HERE for an additional photos not shown in the above presentation.
The days travels was just around 125 miles.
Extra Extra...as I reviewed and updated my Double Down towns I realized I blew right past Braintree when heading for Cohasset...go figa
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