After crossing the Thomas Basin causeway, continued to wind counter-clockwise around the Wachusett Reservoir through West Boylston, taking left turns wherever practical. On Temple Street, noticed a series of displays of old agricultural equipment in several yards: it looked like one neighbor had started that, and others had liked the idea, and joined in. West Boylston looks to be a pretty little town with a bandstand, an old burying ground, an historic tavern, and other features, but I didn't give it its due, and kept cranking, mindful of the clock and, more practically, the height of the sun.




Crossed the Boylston town line, and rode along the South Bay of the Wachusett Reservoir, which made me happy. Started seeing signs for Worcester and Shrewsbury, too. For some reason, that made me jumpy: I guess the time spent staring at the map hadn't really informed me of where I'd be at this point in the route, what else would be in the neighborhood. For some reason, having Mount Wachusett next door excited me, but having Worcester a few blocks away seemed disorienting. The constellations were changing.


Kept making left turns, hugging the Reservoir, and came to the old village center of Boylston. Stopped for a little food and water, and admired the conserved antique charm of the place.




Noticed that several plein air artists were doing their best to render that charm on canvas or paper.


Kept riding Northwest along the Reservoir, with extensive tracts of watershed area on the right. I was struck by a scene that was either a dead, flooded forest, or a lively wetland, depending on your perspective.


Enjoyed some last views of the Wachusett Reservoir's Carville Basin before turning East on Willow Road/Route 62, at the Clinton line. This left a couple of miles of the South Dike untraveled, but it was time to go home.


To be continued...

rod