#122 Rutland, #123 Mattapoisett and #124 Marion

     The claim to fame of Rutland is that it's considered the "geographic center" of Massachusetts.    The 25' red maple in the picture is considered to be the center spot.  It's the third central tree to stand here, the other two being a Sycamore and an Elm (which survived the great Worcester tornado of 1953).

We also explored Mattapoisett and the coast.  The Nasketucket Bay State Reservation had hiking trails and views of the bay from the southern tip of the park.  Mattapoisett has a rich history of whaling, building 400 ships for the industry.  One was "The Acushnet" which Herman Melville (Moby Dick) wailed on and deserted.  Oliver Wendall Holmes summered in Mattapoisett.

In Marion, we explored Tabor Academy.  Known as "The School By the Sea," Tabor is an elite prep school.  It is ranked as one of the 50 best schools to prep students to gain entry into America's elite universities.  It should be good since it costs $67,000/year to board there.