Wedding weekend in central Mass

We are out in Leominster (pronounced Lemonstah) for the wedding of one of A's highschool friends. We flew into Logan on Friday and got here late late at night, after waiting around for our rental car and navigating the confusing network of central Mass highways. Saturday morning we went for a hike with most of the bridal party up Mount Wachusetts, which boasts "breathtaking views" at a lofty height of 2500 feet or so. The hike was lovely, if short -- lots of ferns and big granite rocks and gnarly roots to scramble over -- and the views were nice. You could even see Boston. But the top was kind of a disappointment, seeing as how it was nothing more than a big gravel parking lot. What, we could have driven up? Actually, we also could have taken a chairlift up: it's a ski hill in the winter. (I can't bring myself to really call it a mountain.)

When we got back to the hotel, A and another groomsman left to to pick up their tuxes while the rest of us had lunch and went on a Wachusetts Brewery tour, including more samples than we were legally supposed to have. Don't worry, it still only totalled six ounces. The tourguide was very funny, and had a very strong and authentic Bahston accent; we wondered if he had to audition. We were back in time for a quick shower and rest before heading out again for the rehearsal dinner, which was held in an old mill, long since converted to a restaurant. There is still a beautiful mill pond with lots of ducks, and a little waterfall, and two wooden bridges leading to the parking lot. The food was good, and it was nice to meet more of the family and wedding party. We spent a lot of time reconnecting with the Mason boys (A's old highschool crew) and their wives. They are a fun bunch, and we don't usually get to see them except at events like this. A gave a very nice toast after dinner, along with one of the bridemaids and the bride's brother, and then we all adjourned to the hotel for karaoke! It was pretty hilarious. The boys all got up to sing "You've Lost That Lovin Feelin", the bride and groom sang "I've Got You Babe", and various other guests took the mic too. Not me. All in all, a great day. I'm sure the wedding will be just as fun.