Took the Surly around the Mystic Lakes this afternoon, 8 miles, a sort of miniature ride. It was pleasant, but over too soon.

On River Street, crossing the Mystic River on the Arlington/Medford line, I saw a squadron of kayaks.


Mystic River Road, West Medford: empty playgrounds, but lots of families out on the street.


Mystic River Road, West Medford: the Mystic River flows peaceably through parkland.


Medford: more bikes than cars on the Mystic Valley Parkway.


Everett Street, Winchester, links Bacon Street and Mystic Street, and is a natural route around the North end of the lakes. It's serene, well-heeled, and thoughtfully planted with mature trees and elegant gardens.


The Armenian Cultural Foundation, Arlington. Much to remember, and they help with that. At one point, memory came a little too close, and they took the sign down for a few years.


Mystic Street, Arlington: given that this was rush hour, the light traffic suggests that the re-opening process has some running room.


Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington: rolling home across Mill Brook, by the Lower Mystic Lake and the Mystic River. I used to commute on this road on my old Raleigh in the 1980s.


rod