LazerZone Exclusive Offer

Our new Dispatches sponsors at LazerZone (Marlborough/Randolph) are offering Dispatches readers a coupon for $2 off lasertag if you mention the DayTripper Dispatches or The Compleat Day Tripper at the check-in desk! The offer is subject to change, so call or ask at the 'Zone for the latest Dispatches exclusive.

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"We hope all DayTrippers are able to enjoy this holiday season despite the painful economy. Try to remember that all bad things do come to an end and that lazertag is a great way to clear your mind. Be safe & have a great couple of weeks! DayTripper subscribers, purchase $25, get $5 FREE! Purchase $50, get $15 FREE! Purchase $75, get $25 FREE! Mention the DayTripper Dispatches when you call (508) 303-9900 to order over the phone or stop by the store. We will be open from 9:30am-4pm on Monday 12/22 for Gift Certificate sales only!" - From Steve & Michael at LazerZone

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Welcome, Earthlings!

Star Log, Nov. 26: The DayTripper Divas beamed down to one of our favorite rainy-day spots, LazerZone on Route 20 in Marlboro just before Thanksgiving. It was early afternoon, just before the teen crowd started rolling in, but we had a nice visit with owner Steve Taylor and his attentive staff. Under the watchful eye of LazerZone's alien mascot, we tried the arcade games, peeked in on a rousing game of lasertag, and sent our 8-year-old into the huge split-level playground. Steve even gave us a sneak peek at the new karaoke room, and noted that the dining hall converts into a "bungee wall" which was a new concept to us! View the evidence, below:

Schooner Sailing in Gloucester

When you visit Gloucester, consider a two-hour sail on the 65-foot schooner, the Thomas E. Lannon. Kay Ellis and family built the boat from scratch about 10 years ago. “We went out into the woods, cut the trees down, and went from there, but that’s another whole story,” says Kay. sail on the Lannon can be the highlight of a trip to Gloucester! Check for seasonal availability on the website or call 971-281-6634.

Battleship Cove, Part I

Battleship Cove boasts the world's largest exhibit of naval warships. Located in the shadow of the Braga Bridge in Fall River Massachusetts, the World War II battleship USS Massachusetts stands at the centerpiece of an exhibit that also includes a WWII submarine, and two ships from the Cold War era.

As a kid, my grandfather would take my brother and me to Battleship Cove every year. We had a great time, climbing up and down the ladders and sitting on the AA guns pretending we were in the midst of an attack by enemy aircraft. It was one of the highlights of every summer's vacation.

A couple of weeks ago, I finally got the chance to go back there when some friends with an interest in history were visiting from out of town.

Admission to the exhibit is a very reasonable $14 (and you can get a $1 off coupon on the website). There are no guided tours, but there are plenty of signs and labels that give some fascinating information about life aboard ship while visitors explore at their own pace.

I took a lot of pictures, so I'm going to do this in two parts. First will be pictures of the USS Lionfish, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, and the missile corvette Hiddensee (built in the Soviet Union for the East German navy, this ship was eventually sold to the US and operated under a US flag as a navy research vessel).

[more photos]

- by Rick S., on the Compleat Day Tripper group on Gather.com

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Kids' Cross Country Ski Team

Registration has begun for students aged 7 -13 interested in cross-country skiing this winter. The Eastern Massachusetts Bill Koch Youth Cross-Country Ski Club has both racing and non-racing components. Dry land, or off-snow, practices begin November 9, 3:00-4:30 at Prospect Hill, Waltham. Twice weekly on-snow practices run from mid-December through the end of February. The on-snow practices are held at Weston Ski Track near the intersection of 128 and the Mass Pike. Interested skiers can visit the club's web site or contact contact coordinator Bonnie McEwen.

It's New! It's Different! It's Healthy!

Hear those drums? The Living Root Dragon Boat crew may be off the Charles, and but pool practices are underway at the JFK Elementary School in Somerville. "We film people paddling and then review the video with them," said organizer David Parker. "It's really helpful to see what you look like when you paddle. Few of Dragon Boat paddlers manage to make it in 3x a week (but I can hope, right?)." Pool practices in the winter are on Saturdays at the Kennedy Pool. There's free parking in the school lot, and it's a short walk to the Porter Square T Stop on the Red Line. The pool entrance is in the rear of the building. Walk all the way down to the bottom floor, and you'll find the pool. You can RSVP at their Meetup website.

Carol's Blogging!

Okay, your favorite Parents' Paper columnist has finally jumped into the Web 2.0 stream. "This new media stuff is killing me!" says Carol Band, author of the recently published and hysterically funny book, A Household Word. "There are countless blogs and passwords and ways for people to comment and rant and rave out there." The DayTripper Divas are glad she took the plunge and feel that this might just be worth a cut-and-paste into your browser favorites. Carol invites your comments on the blog (as do we).

BUG Me!

Why drive thousands of miles for a vacation this year when you can have loads of fun close to home? New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods is the exclusive 2008 New England site for 13 BIG BUGS, David Rogers’ sculpture exhibit and the Web-of-Life Extravaganza through October 31. Every week there is another festival with giant sculptures, costumed characters, crafts, live bugs, lots of outdoor activities, even a Bug-Venture Guide to help you maximize your experience. Enjoy a remarkable mini-vacation each week and share the glories of Garden in the Woods with friends and family.

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A Nature Walk Second to None

Lynn Woods Reservation is the second largest municipal park in the greater Boston area. This 2,200 acre forest reserve consists of ponds, wetlands, streams, deciduous/evergreen forest and rocky ledge. The ponds provide the drinking water for the residents of Lynn and surrounding communities. Wildlife abounds in the forest. Well over 100 species of birds inhabit or seasonally frequent the woods. A large rodent population supports such predators as hawks, owls and red tail fox. More than an aquifer, more than a wildlife preserve, more than a natural experience, Lynn Woods can provide a rare adventure.

So head on over for a nature walk second to none - and a great view of downtown Boston. You will come to love and appreciate the woods like the early settlers and citizens who wisely preserved it for future generations. For more information on events in Lynn Woods, contact the Ranger at 781-477-7123 - and send some photos to the DayTripper Divas' photo contest!

- by Laurel Collins

New Bedford Bound!

It was a sunny day (that always helps on a Day Trip) when my husband and I set off for a jaunt to New Bedford. It was an easy hour's drive and we quickly found an on-street meter (not enforced on weekends).

Our first stop was the National Park Service's visitor center, where we grabbed a map of the area and directions to our two planned destinations. First was the Seamen's Bethel, a small chapel for whaling crews, where the pulpit is in the shape of the bow of a ship (that was also featured in the movie of Moby Dick).

Our next stop was New Bedford Whaling Museum where we spent nearly two hours wandering the halls learning about the local New Bedford glass industry as well as distant whaling adventures that the area is known for.

After the whaling museum, we decided to make the 10-minute walk to the Rotch Jones Duff House & Garden Museum to see a 19th century sea captain's manse as well as the nicely maintained garden, renting the recorded headsets for a self-guided tour, which added to the value of the trip.

Despite adding on the Duff House, there were many more spots in New Bedford area we wanted to check out. We shall return!

-by Caroline Ronten, DayTripper Sales & Marketing Diva

Save the Date for Ed-Ventures on Sept. 19-21

Join the Family Resource Center of New England for a weekend of American "Ed-Ventures" and connect with a wide variety of family enrichment and homeschooling activities. Inspired by the upcoming election—and in the spirit of fun, learning and good citizenship—this year’s theme highlights significant historical and scientific events from America’s past that will encourage students to think of ways that they too can make a difference in our country’s future. The FRC Museum & Community Education Expo 2008 runs September 19 - 21, 2008 in Boxborough, MA.

Paddle One, Paddle All!

The Department of Conservation and Recreation's Universal Access program announced the summer 2008 schedule for the DCR's adaptive paddling program for individuals with disabilities and their family members and friends. The program is carried out in conjunction with Outdoor Recreation of Hopkinton, Spot Pond Boating, and Eastern Mountain Sports.

Hopkinton State Park (Hopkinton, MA) Thursdays 10 AM- 4 PM: July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14, 21 (Rain date August 28).

Spot Pond (Stoneham, MA) Fridays 10 AM - 4 PM: July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22. (Rain date August 29).

(Note: The Hopkinton sessions can get a bit crowded, but the Spot Pond programs usually have plenty of room.)

Each session will consist of 20 to 30-minute guided kayak tours. A certified adaptive paddling instructor and lifeguard will join the participants on the water.

Fee is $5 per participant and free for one guest. There will be an $8 fee for each additional guest that wants to participate. This program is subsidized by DCR, EMS and ORH. Please call the EMS Kayak School at 401-762-8585 to make a reservation.

For other accessible DCR summer activities & events, click here.

Map Your Workout

Decrease the time you spend waiting on your bike at lights, or vary your workout by mapping your bike route or your walking/running route. One DayTripper Diva tells us: "I figure my mileage as I am training for the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure, which is 60 miles over three days in October. Am I ready....no way! (grin). But the MapMyWalk site helps."

Springs Brook Swim Area - Bedford

It’s a pool! It’s a pond! It’s a “man-made filtered swimming facility…set in a beautiful wooded setting.” Sandy beach, playground, deluxe sprinkler area, grills, food concession, small basketball court, big slide, volleyball, lap lanes, diving dock. Great shade, great lifeguards, great place - plus a conservation area for walking. MBTA goes near the conservation area at 180 Springs Road. 781- 275-1392; bedfordrecreation.org

Ah, Ipswich!

Spring is my favorite time of year up around Ipswich and Essex on the North Shore, and a May trip up there to fetch eggs from Hardy's Hatchery for our first grade chick hatching project revealed intense green fields and plenty of redbud and hawthorne trees in bloom -- and Woodman's Restaurant in Ipswich spiffing up for the season. If you're up during the hot season, Crane Beach is a hop and a skip away, but prepare for crowds and a jammed parking lot during peak hours.

Joyriding with Bikes, Not Bombs

Family and Distance Training Rides
Sponsored by Bikes Not Bombs
Saturday, May 17 & Sunday, June 1

Bike-A-Thon & Festival June 8

Get in shape for BNB’s June 8 Bike-A-Thon and summer biking! Both routes start at the same place and time on the two days, then go their separate ways. Meet at the BNB HUB: 284 Amory St. Jamaica Plain - in the Brewery Complex by Ula Cafe, at 10 AM and look for the crowd out in front with the bikes. Bring your own snacks, water, and helmet (required). Join these joyrides free of charge, but they'll pass the BNB freewill donation helmet.

• FAMILY RIDE: This ride stays in parks as much as possible, returning to the start location. We take an easy pace to make it nice and fun for all involved. Trailers and trail-a-bikes are certainly welcome, as are young and/or inexperienced riders. Short miles, good company! We're gradually increasing towards the goal of 15 miles, which is the length of the Bike-A-Thon's shortest ride and the one which draws the most families. Contact ride leader David (parent of two youngsters under 10 who've completed multiple Bike-A-Thons) at dweinstein@boston.k12.ma.us for more information.
• DISTANCE RIDE: As the weeks roll on, these rides will build up the miles progressively - with eyes trained on the 62-mile route! Pace will be moderate and will adjust to the riders. For May 17th we'll be getting up just over 50 miles, but we hope to include an option for a group to break off and have a ride in the 30-some mile range. Contact Esther at ecervantes@abml.org or 617-983-3665 for more information on routes or to get in on the email group.

Enjoy!

Home, Sweet Sonos!

Please welcome our newest Day Tripper Dispatches sponsor, InHome Design A/V. Nick Le and his staff have taken care of all the Day Tripper Divas' audio-visual needs for the past three years, including our latest installation, Sonos whole-house music which has us rediscovering the pleasures of music after being too busy with the family and business to keep up! Nick, his brother Quan Le, and their installers stay on top of the cutting edge of home a/v and smart-home products, while finding the best deals for their clients. They won't commit you to the latest hot gadget to make a buck - they fully test, shop around, and guarantee all products and installations, with the overriding goal of long-term client satisfaction. And if you have a question or problem, they are just a personal phone call or house call away. We've never had to wait more than a day or two for a service call - and it's on our time! Please mention the DayTripper Dispatches or The Compleat Day Tripper when you call (617-825-7285) or email Nick for special rates on your first installation. Highly recommended!