Welcome Home, Patriots.
The call came late Saturday afternoon: a friend of Peter's had Patriots tickets for that night's game. We were out the door a half hour later. This was not an opportunity to pass up: the Patriots were playing their first home game (pre-season) in their new stadium. And this was the first game in front of the home crowd since they had become Our Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. I still have to pinch myself.

Newly renamed Gillette Stadium was very nice. There were structures resembling a lighthouse(vaguely)and bridge at the entrance (homage to New England), wide open concourses and real seats (with backs!). Three levels hover close to the field, and the huge video screens have excellent resolution. It was a sultry, sticky night and the Pats were cheered mightily for making us all believe again ... in teamwork, determination, and serendipity. Now if only the Pats marketing/management folks would believe in their product. Peter's lament (and I agree) is that so much is going on at the stadium to distract from the game. Blaring music, promotions and sponsor stuff over the PA system; commercials and mugging, camera-crazed fans trying to get on the JumboTron screen. Please, enough. Let us enjoy the game.

Rollin' on the River.
After all the hiking in the Valley, it was time to try another mode of transportation. This one not so easy. There were several places to put a canoe into the Blackstone River; I asked about Plummer's Landing in Northbridge at the Visitor's center. I was concerned because we had walked the trail along the river there a few weeks earlier and had seen a lot of branches in the water. The ranger said these should all be cleared now.

OK, but how do we get the canoe there? A roof rack, lots of hoisting, strapping, and hauling later (whew), we were on the river. The very low river. With strong currents. Right away we had decisions to make as to which direction to go, around islands and branches. The poor canoe took a beating as it scraped bottom often.

But it was peaceful and pretty. We disturbed two herons and they flew ahead, following the river just above the water. We fought our way around and over many large branches, some tires, an old boat. Not exactly a leisurely ride. But up ahead, uh oh. There was no way around that: a large tree, with lots of branches, completely blocking the river. We couldn't even take the canoe out and walk it around, the banks were too steep and muddy. So much for our plan to follow the current to Uxbridge. (Next time I'll believe my eyes before I take the ranger's word.)

So we had to turn around and battle the current back over the debris, on a 93-degree day. We made it, finally. More hauling & hoisting, then the short drive home. Despite the problems and effort involved, it was fun. But I doubt we'll be doing it again anytime soon!

< Back             Continue >