Castle Island: Where am I?

A photo taken of a passing sailboat amid vibrant yellow wildflowers.
Photo taken by Charlotte Pierce

"Am I in the city, the park, at the airport, or the beach?"

Located in South Boston, Castle Island offers a miscellany of settings, thinning the line between commercial industry and nature. It is the perfect place to take a walk, fly a kite, have a picnic, lounge in the sun, or simply contemplate life. Smack dab in the center is a large pentagon-shaped structure, known as Fort Independence. Overhead, one will continuously see the arriving airplanes, beginning their descent on Logan Airport. They are so close that one can easily see, without squinting, where the aircraft originated from. 

If you're looking for a nautical adventure, look no further than the Harry McDonough Sailing Program on the adjacent pier. When hunger sets in, Sullivan's is a quick and great place to order a "lobstah" roll or some fish n' chips! If you feel like catching your own food, bring along your fishing poles and head to the Lt. John J. McCorkle, Boston Fire Dept. Memorial Fish Pier. The seagulls will join you as they catch crabs off the seaweed-covered rocks. 

A perfect place to spend time with your "main squeeze," this place can bring back nostalgia for some. If you classify yourself as a "beachcomber," why not scavenge the beach for something of value or interest? The next big photographer or lacking in creativity? Castle Island's varied landscape lets you experiment with different camera angles, perspectives, and lighting. 

If nothing I hinted at seemed to "float your boat," then at least come to 'people watch.' You might even come across two elderly women, matching in their white sweatshirts and blue pants, taking in the sights through their binoculars!!! 

Arlington Public Art: Chairful Where You Sit 2013

Are you sitting down? Check out Arlington Public Art's blog for an eyeful of "Chairful Where You Sit 2013." Join this wonderful, artful community event for its second year and create your own throne of fanciful splendor! Guidelines for Chairful 2013 are here.

Spring Splash at Old Frog Pond Farm

Buds appear on the apple trees in mid-April

One of our favorite spots, any time of year, is Old Frog Pond Farm in Harvard, Mass. Families can visit, volunteer, and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the organic farm stand. Adding to the experience are outdoor sculptures by Farmer Linda Hoffman and her colleagues, which surprise the visitor around every turn, and perfectly complement the farmscape.

Right now, the buds on the apple trees are beginning to open (see photo). First, a bit of green peeks out, then the bud-leaves start to unfold. Orchardists have names for every stage of the bud opening. This one is called 1/2 in green or mouse ears, an apt description for the tender leaves. The amazing small signs of life in the orchard affirm the mystery of growth about to burst forth. We're clearing out all of last year's canes, fertilizing the young plants, and beginning the spring weeding. Volunteers are always welcome, please send an email if you have a few hours to share. It's lovely out in the fields with the plants.

In Linda Hoffman's sculpture studio, "3D Play" sculpture workshops are led by Linda and

Applying bio-fertilizer.

Margot Stage. In the first class, participants made sculpture with wire, wood, apple branches, and found objects, learning to attach disparate materials and ground their project with a solid base. The next two classes will be sculpture that hangs in the air and sculpture that floats on water. To be on the list for future classes, email farmer/sculptor Linda Hoffman.

"Right now, there is a spreading carpet of greens growing - salads, kale, spinach, mesclun, and more. We will be selling greens directly from the farm. The first planting will be ready in two weeks," Linda told the Dispatches. To be to be notified, send an email to vegetables@oldfrogpondfarm.com.

Adaptive skating - it's the coolest!

The DCR's Universal Access program is the coolest! Use your wheelchair, an ice sled, or conventional skates on the ice! There's no describing the feeling as you spin, slide, race, slalom, socialize and play gently competitive games with others! Ice sleds and conventional skates available. For more information or to register, call 617-626-1294 to register or email Gigi Ranno. To volunteer, contact Marcy Marcello.

Cronin Skating Rink
850 Revere Parkway
Revere, MA (781) 284-9491

Tuesdays: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Dec. 11, Feb. 19, March 12, April 12
Fitzpatrick Skating Rink, 
575 Maple Street
Holyoke, MA (413) 532-2929

Sundays: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Dec. 2, Jan. 20, Feb. 10, March 10
Thursday, Feb. 21 2:30pm - 4:30pm

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King Richard's Faire

Every year, King Richard's Faire comes to Carver on week-ends from September through the end of October. Our Divas went on Sept. 3rd, the first day of the Faire, when Carverites can attend for free (admission is usually $26.). Once you are within the gates, everything is quite expensive. Reading reviews about the Faire, we can understand why some people feel it's "outrageously overpriced." But if you don't eat at the Faire, you can save quite a bit and still enjoy the sights and entertainment. - from Elizabeth Evans via Gather.

The Paper House ~ Recycling in the 20's

Boston by Subway

Boston’s subway system, known affectionately as the ‘T’ is America’s first subway system. The first green line subway cars began running in a tunnel underneath Tremont Street in 1897. Park Street Station and Boylston Station were the first two to open - both sit at the bottom of the hill within walking distance of the Massachusetts State House. Park Street Station is directly adjacent to the Park Street Church. more

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En Garde in Worcester!

PLEASE NOTE: The Higgins Armory Museum has been closed. The collection was distributed  to other museums in the Worcester area.

Last weekend, we revisited one of our favorite winter indoor destinations - the unique Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester. Worcester steel magnate John Woodman Higgins assembled this one-of-a-kind collection in the early 1900s, and when when his wife kicked the collection out of their house, he erected a stunning steel building to house it!
On weekends, the Higgins offers demonstrations on armor, swordplay and other aspects of medieval life and combat. There's also a great kids' zone with a giant chess game and dress-up area, and a several authentic pieces of armor that kids can try on. At kids' birthday parties, the birthday boy or girl gets to be King or Queen in the Great Hall (for members only). Originally recommended by stained glass artist Dan Maher for one of our early Dispatches. About an hour from Boston but street access in Worcester is tricky; take a good map. Phone 508-853-9697.

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:

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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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

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.

Middlesex Fells Hiking

The DayTripper Divas & families love the Fells, year-round! Click here for photos.

Going to Walden

by Mary Oliver

It isn’t very far as highways lie.
I might be back by nightfall, having seen
The rough pines, and the stones, and the clear water.
Friends argue that I might be wiser for it.
They do not hear that far-off Yankee whisper:
How dull we grow from hurrying here and there!

Many have gone, and think me half a fool
To miss a day away in the cool country.
Maybe. But in a book I read and cherish,
Going to Walden is not so easy a thing
As a green visit. It is the slow and difficult
Trick of living, and finding it where you are.

From The River Styx, Ohio and Other Poems, published in "New and Selected Poems," 1992. Found in the Busa Farm newsletter, November 2007

Stone Zoo's Amazing Birds of Prey

A Day Tripper reader highly recommends the Birds of Prey show currently at The Stone Zoo. The group putting on the show is from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis. They present all rescued birds and the performance is educational as well as awe-inspiring, according to Eileen E. of Arlington, who adds that the show features about a dozen different birds and audience participation. The birds are majestic and the theatre is so small you get to see them up close. They swoop down from outside the fence and land on the trainers arm, lots of "ooohs" and "aaahs" - even really little ones were engaged. There are three shows a day, and it's well worth a day trip.

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History Comes Alive in Sturbridge

See history come alive in quiet simplicity in Old Sturbridge Village, a little southwest of Worcester. This is a settlement created by gathering together and restoring original buildings from towns throughout New England. Trained guides demonstrate colonial life in this re-creation of an 1830s New England village. There are more than 40 restored structures, including a school, a tavern, a few churches, a meeting house, a bank, some shops, and several homes. In addition, there's a working farm and a water-powered mill. The costumed staff demonstrates the making of soap, bread,shoes, tinware, and even horseshoes, all in historically accurate costumes. Map

Be a Compleat Day Tripper!

The Compleat Day Tripper

• New Metro Boston Edition coming in September - completely revised & updated
• Cape Cod & South Coast Edition due out by October!
• Vermont/NH and Western Massachusetts editions in development!

Get out and about with these wildly popular, newly revised and expanded guides to family-friendly expeditions. By popular demand, the latest editions will feature sections on accessible activities, birthday parties, and swimming pools. You'll find some very frank reviews, plus great index, destination websites, and contact information for each family-tested Day Trip. A portion of the proceeds benefit local public schools. The electronic editions make perfect companions to the books, and include clickable website links. Put the PDF on your PDA or iPhone!

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Botanical Delights in Acton

The Day Tripper Divas recently rediscovered that Acton Arboretum, near the town's center, is an easy place to take a stroll and get a beautiful botanical education. Choose from the Orchard Loop, the Wildflower Loop, or the Highland/Bog Loop; and/or take a picnic and visit the nearby nursery. Enter via Wood Lane, Minot Avenue, or Taylor Road. Information is availalble at the website or by calling the arborists at 978-264-9631. The site is in Acton, about 15 minutes from 2/128. Many pathways are wheelchair/stroller friendly, and the Arboretum is working on making more trails accessible.

Paddle One, Paddle All

Outdoor Recreation of Hopkinton and Spot Pond Boating will be running the Universal Access paddling program in concert with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) this summer. Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and physical abilities are encouraged to contact Outdoor Recreation of Hopkinton at or email on or after June 9th to reserve a spot. You can reserve weekly or for the entire nine-week season. Gear and assistance is provided on request.

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Explore 350 Great Destinations in The Compleat Day Tripper!