Paddling and cycling news

Whether you’re looking for some outdoor adventuring this fall or planning ahead to spring, we have a few bits of good news: 

• IN THE LIMELIGHT: The Washington Post included Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in its list of "5 Gorgeous Places to Paddle This Fall!" Blackwater has three marked water trails (with improved signage that was installed earlier this year) that meander through beautiful marshland with lots of wildlife watching. Bring your own kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or rent through Blackwater Adventures. Read the story.
• NEW PADDLING GUIDE: Dorchester Tourism has just printed a new Dorchester Paddling Guide with suggested places to paddle and sites where you can launch. Pick one up at the Dorchester Visitor Center in Cambridge or download it here.
• CYCLING FIX-IT STATION: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center has a new “fix-it” station for bicyclists. It’s a self-service station where you can hang your bike up and borrow their tools for some simple repairs. 
• NEW CYCLING GUIDE: A new, updated Dorchester Cycling Guide is at the printer and will be available soon at the Dorchester Visitor Center. The brochure includes cycling routes from 10 to 55+ miles, plus maps and tips. 

New exhibit features vanished Holland Island

When the Dorchester County Historical Society put out a call for stories about Holland Island earlier this year, they were overwhelmed with the response. It has evolved into a new exhibit at the Heritage Museums & Gardens of Dorchester. Holland Island was part of Dorchester County, and in the late 1800s it was home to about 350 people, churches, businesses, and more. But the forces of erosion and various storms forced the islanders to move to the mainland. The last resident left a century ago. Stop the exhibit at 1003 Greenway Drive in Cambridge.