#132 - #137 (SIX Towns in One Day) - Newburyport, Merrimac, West Newbury, Groveland, Georgetown and Boxford

 We headed to the North Shore and walked six towns in one day.  Newburyport was the highlight, adding it to the category of "How is it we have lived in Mass for two decades and not visited it before?"

Newburyport is a historic port town and a major player in the shipbuilding and fishing industries.  Today it is know as a tourist destination.  The Browns Square section of the waterfront, where this photo is taken, is full of shopping, restaurants and historic markers.

West Newbury was the inspiration Popperville in the classic children's book "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel."  These classic colonial homes, in vibrant green, yellow, red, blue and white, line the old military parade ground across from the town hall (which Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel built).  It looks very New England.

Groveland features Elm Park, which was planned in 1832 as an early open space near the Merrimack River.  It pre-dates Commonwealth Avenue Park in Boston.  The town's Congregational church has one of only two Paul Revere Bells remaining in active service in the country.

Groveland Congregational Church - Paul Revere Bells

Georgetown- Rowley State Forest is located in Essex County.  It is a 1,100 acre property with well marked trails.  we took the look around the central swamp and noticed these nests in the tops of the trees.  We were thinking they are possibly Great Heron nests.

Boxford - Holyoke French House Historical Society

Boxford is a total bedroom community.  It has 2 acre zoning and no appreciable commercial activity.  Boxford is one of only majority Republican communities in the commonwealth.  It is also home to Carl Yastrzemski and Ray Bourque.

Merrimac, Massachusetts (Not to be confused with Merrimack, NH or Merrimack College, which we walked in North Andover) borders New Hampshire.  We found a rail trail, parked and walked to the state border.  We were hoping for a "Welcome to New Hampshire" sign, but instead the trail ended with a no trespassing sign.  This sport is right near the MA-NH border.