Task 38 - Deep River Muster

(38) Visit 10 Festivals or Fairs (09/20)

Event: Deep River Ancient Muster
When: July 21, 2012

Location: Deep River, Connecticut

Rating: 4 - Stars

Traditions are held dear in New England and if you live or spend time on the Connecticut River Valley during the summer months you are sure to include the fife and drums of the Deep River Ancient Muster as part of the sounds of summer.

Always held the 3rd Saturday in July the Deep River Ancient Muster is a gathering of Fife and Drim participants and enthusiasts from all over the world. It is known as the "Grand Daddy of All Muster". The parade started at Devitt's Field and proceeded down Main Street for roughly a mile.

This year I counted over 50 different groups. The groups were lead by the Local Deep River Drum Corp. Each group had their own uniquely colonial uniforms/costumes and marched down the street playing some old favorites like Yankee Doodle.

The groups came from near and far and included paritcipants of all ages. Those gathered along the mile long route also varied greatly in age and type. This is an event that many generations of families have at one time or another attended or participated. I know I have been coming here for years every summer with my parents and until this year with my grandmother.

I recorded some of the groups as they walked by and put together this compilation.



Task 96 - Go Mountain Biking 10 times (Assabet River Rail Trail)

(96) Go mountain biking 10 times (7/10)

Location:  Assabet River Rail Trail (Marlborough, MA – Hudson, MA)
Distance: 10.13 Miles
Time:        1 Hour 5 Minutes

With the heat soaring in the mid 90’s I wasn’t particularly excited about riding today. My brother of course wanted to go deep into the woods again but I suggested a more leisurely ride where we could take the kids and maybe even get my nephew to try riding without his training wheels.

He agreed that would be a good idea and that we could do it at the Assabet River Rail Trail and that it was about a mile away so we could ride our bikes there and meet my sister-in-law there with the kids so we could get a little more riding in. I agreed not realizing that my brother’s measurement skills are lacking and fired up run tracker and off we went. It is actually 4 miles away. The trip there wasn’t so bad mostly downhill with one climb that was a killer. 

Once we were there we got the kids on the trail and began following the Assabet River Rail Trail. It is a nicely paved path very level that follows Main Street to the center of Hudson. My nephew and I stopped and took our pictures with the rail car that is on display. This trail goes on for about a mile with a great stop off spot at McD’s to satisfy the kids hunger. I know not healthy but we were all a bit hungry.

Sadly my iPhone battery wasn’t cooperating and I had to stop tracking my ride. Thankfully Run Tracker lets you edit your ride so the distance calculated is accurate but the calories burned is about ½ and the pace and climb are not correct. My fault for not making sure the phone was fully charged before beginning.

We began the trip back to the car and the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves. Myy nephew seemed to be growing in confidence the whole ride although we didn’t get the training wheels off. I am hopeful that next time he will be ready to give it a try.

Once the kids were loaded up my brother and I had the not so fun task of riding back to the house another 4 miles this time in the dark. Thankfully the roads are lightly travelled and my sister-in-law followed us to keep the street illuminated. This return trip nearly killed me. I don’t know if it was just the intense heat or if the McD’s did me in but It was torture. I struggled to make it back and nearly collapsed when I got there.

It wasn’t even close to my longest ride but I’d say it was my hardest given the temperature and the humidity. I was a pool of sweat by the end.

Task 30 – Russell House Tavern (Cambridge, MA)

(30) Eat in 10 New Restaurants (54/20)

Restaurant:  Russell House Tavern

Website:      www.russellhousecambridge.com

Rating:        3-stars

Russell House Tavern is located in the heart of Harvard square on JFK Street. They have a great our door seating area for the beautiful summer days. This was not one of them with the heat and humidity. We opted to sit inside at one of the high-tops near the bar upstairs.

Their menu had lots of great entrees but not being overly hungry we decided to order two things and share them.  We settled on the R. House Grass Fed Burger and the Grilled Chicken Sandwich.  The burger was 8ounces of perfectly cook ground beef served on an English muffin with cheddar cheese, bacon and caramelized onions. It was very juicy and a tad messy but it was very tasty. The Grilled Chicken Sandwich with an edamame and pecorino spread, pickled red onions, fried shishito peppers and arugula on a focaccia was a bit different but equally tasty. I enjoyed the variety of flavors that both entrees offered. Both meals were served with an ample serving fresh cut French fries.

If I had to choose one I would go with the burger just because it was a classic burger and those always hit the spot. The chicken was a tad messier then the burger with the spread oozing out of it as your took a bite.

Given that it was a Friday I decided to get a cocktail and with the waiters recommendation I got the Cure-All-Fiz made of Oxley Gin, Rhubarb-Infused Lillet, strawberry, lemon, burlesque bitters and soda water. It was very unusual and a bit weird honestly. I am not sure if it was the variety of citrus flavors that just didn't seem to mesh well or if it was the less than ample serving. My biggest pet peeve with restaurants is that when you serve a drink the ice shouldn't make up 90% of the beverage. Its purpose is to keep the drink cool not to be so dominant that unless you drink it immediately it becomes so diluted with water that you don't taste anything especially when you're paying 10$ a drink.

3 Stars. - I had to take a star away for the poorly executed cocktail.