The Weight of the Packs

I walked to meet them and found them half standing, half leaning in someone's driveway. It was hot, they were tired, and the quarter-mile or so trek back to my house probably seemed like an eternity. We began to measure distance in turns instead of minutes. "It's two more turns from here, see that road over there? That's the first turn," or "Three more houses up on the left side." I quickly learned that telling them they were "almost there" only exacerbated the current situation.

I'm familiar with certain things that happen when you go on tour. Little things like the sheer joy you can get out of having a need satisfied, like finding hand lotion or something when your skin is cracked and dry. But that doesn't quite compare to something like this. The luxury of our cramped vehicles and the dirty floors we sleep on seemed like they came from another world. These weren't musicians climbing out of a van and complaining about leg cramps after a long day of driving. These were thru-hikers. Who also happened to be musicians.



"You guys want water?"

They were appreciative, but quiet. In awe of things like being able to sit or lean and take off their shoes. We looked at the listing they got in the local alt-weekly, which made a point of the fact that no one seemed to know why they were doing it. I never really cared much about the reason. As far as I'm concerned, they did it to do it.

It was a night off for the troubadours, mostly because despite our many attempts every show option fell through. But I think they needed the break. We took it slow. Food. Drinks. Friends of theirs descended from nearby towns to keep them company or lend a hand by taking home some of those weighty items that seemed unnecessary now.



They set up their tents in our backyard and weighed the packs. Everyone's was too heavy. Books got sent home. Things were shifted and traded.



By morning they seemed less anxious. It had almost become old-hat. A morning routine that consists of applying sunscreen and bugspray. Stretching. Helping each other into their packs. We could hear the Memorial Day parade sirens going by. Fighter jets zooming overhead. Today's goal is simple: get as far away from this point as possible. They are shooting for Belchertown.



I can see the biketrail from my porch. Every few seconds a family walks by with a stroller, a biker passes, dogs follow their owners. They will likely be stopped and asked a lot of questions. This leg of the journey could end up being one of their longest performances. Just not quite in the way they may have expected.



(This first person narrative composed by one Candace Clement who plays in the rock group Bunny's A Swine from Northampton, Massachusetts.)

Day 3 - Huntington to the Farm

I have just contacted Mark and he says it was a good day of walking and playing at the farm stand. Though the group is still on edge from the night before, all is well as tonight they stay at a KOA. There is electricity at the camp site and showers too. I was back home for a doctors appointment to check on the heart burn and stomach ache that has risen again since last week. the doctor said that I needed to take some medication to neutralize the acids. I took the medication and it worked. I will be back on the walking tour camera in hand, filming as soon as possible.

Day 2- Becket to Huntington

Day 2-

We woke up and Daniel was inside the Dream-Away Lodge with coffee to get our day started. We went out back and Jenny led us in stretches which in all honesty, probably saved us from dying the first few hours of the first day walking. The walk to Huntington was 17.8 miles away. We were sent off with Daniel waving good bye and wishing us the best of luck at 8am in the parking lot. We made our first strides down the road and after 30 minutes a woman came running out of her house with a streamer saying "good luck'! It was the head of the theatre department at BU in her pajamas! She said Daniel had just called to say that we were going to be walking past her place soon and then she gave us all high fives as we walked by. It brought up our group moral even more than it had been before and we thank her very much for her kind hearted support! As the day went on, Huntington seemed like it was around each corner but as we rounded each curve, the view was another long stretch of hot road. Mark, Rianne, and I led the pack as Chris and Jenny strayed behind. Chris was having a hard time with his feet and eventually he began to feel dizzy. Christopher's backpack was the heaviest of all, as his gear is comprised of a violin, amp, foot pedals and more. As the three leaders moved on Chris and Jenny stayed behind moving at a slower speed. Eventually sight was lost of them even as we waited. There was no way to contact them as cell phone service was lost. We kept moving forward in hopes that eventually they would catch up. They never did. As we walked, our bodies hurt extremely bad. Our feet wanted to fall off, our bellies were empty, and we had very little water. At one point, I (Paul) wanted to throw my backpack in front of a car to relieve my anger of carrying my necessities. Eventually we made it to Huntington and saw the church from afar where the restaurant Four Main Street was located. Mark and Rianne set up as I stayed outside nursing a belly ache with strong urination. Chris and Jenny eventually called to say that Chris was in fact laying on the side of the road in dehydration and was dry heaving. When they made it to the show hours later, the group erupted in argument. I then had informed the group that I was leaving due to potential health complications of a two week belly ache that I had put off making an appointment of seeing a doctor. We all ate diner and only Mark and Rianne played that night. The owner was truly an amazing host as he watched the last set and sat with everyone to share stories. He even re-opend the kitchen so that my parents could eat when they came to pick me up. Overall, it was the hardest day mentally and physically that all of us had endured in many years, if not ever.

Day 1- Dream-Away Lodge

Day 1-

We had a lot of running around to do before we left Webster/Oxford MA. We all squeezed in Raianne's car and made the ride up in tight headquarters to each other. As we made our way up to the Dream-Away Lodge in Becket we saw the beauty of western Massachusetts. When we arrived at the Dream-Away, we were greeted with warm afternoon sunshine and two amazing dogs! One was a beagle the other a boxer. We walked inside and suddenly it felt like home. The Dream-Away is run by a man by the name of Daniel whom is an outstanding host! He opened up his restaurant to us, fed us, and let us sleep in the back "shed" as they call it, though it was a very nice shed with a sauna, loft bed, and futons. The show went well. We ended up meeting the head of the Theatre Department at Boston University as she was one of the steady members of the audience. She has a small house next to the lodge as goes to Becket in order to get away from the nuance of the big city. The Dream-Away is truly an amazing place and if you are ever in Western Massachusetts, you must go and see what it is like first hand, we all recommend it!

Day 1 - Leaving Becket

Mark reports that they've been walking all morning, having left Becket, and they're now walking along Route 8, on their way to Huntington and the Jacob's Ladder Trail. The group are in good spirits. The show last night at the Dreamaway Lodge went well. They were greeted cheerfully this morning by a local resident, who came outside carrying a streamer to help them celebrate the start of the walking tour. Way to go, town of Becket!

- update posted by Steve Pavao

Day 17 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

We will post at a later date

Day 16 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

we will post at a later date

Day 15 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Walking directions to Savoury Lane
(978) 263-8743
8.1 mi – about 2 hours 38 mins
Suggested routes



Manning St
Hudson, MA 01749

1. Head south on Manning St toward Cox St 459 ft

2. Turn left at Cox St 0.8 mi

3. Continue onto Old Stow Rd 0.4 mi

4. Continue onto Hudson Rd 2.2 mi

5. Turn right at MA-117 E/Great Rd 1.2 mi

6. Slight left at Crescent St 0.3 mi

7. Continue onto W Acton Rd 1.7 mi

8. Continue onto Willow St 1.2 mi

9. Continue onto Central St 0.2 mi

10. Turn right at Arlington St Destination will be on the left 328 ft

Savoury Lane
251 Arlington Street
Acton, MA 01720-2201

Day 14 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Day off in Hudson, MA with Raianne's Family..

Day 13 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Walking directions to Cashman St, Marlborough, MA 01752
7.7 mi – about 2 hours 35 mins


St Stephen's Episcopal Church
3 John St
Westborough, MA 01581

1. Head southeast on John St toward W Main St 341 ft

2. Turn left at W Main St 0.4 mi

3. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto MA-30 E/W Main St 3.7 mi

4. Turn left at Johnson Rd 0.3 mi

5. Continue onto Northboro Rd 0.3 mi

6. Turn right at Jericho Hill Rd 0.6 mi

7. Continue onto Williams St 0.8 mi

8. Turn right to stay on Williams St 0.6 mi

9. Slight right at Lakeside Ave 338 ft

10. Continue onto W Main St 0.6 mi

11. Turn left at Rawlins Ave 433 ft

12. Turn right at Central St 335 ft

13. Turn left at Cashman St 131 ft

Entrance to Bike Trail
Cashman St
Marlborough, MA 01752

Day 12 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Walking directions to St Stephen's Episcopal Church
(508) 366-4134
7.4 mi – about 2 hours 26 mins


Rose Garden Restaurant
16 Milford St
Upton, MA 01568

1. Head northwest on Main St/Milford St toward Church St 0.1 mi

2. Turn right at Church St 121 ft

3. Continue onto N Main St 0.5 mi

4. Slight right at School St 351 ft

5. Continue onto Westboro Rd 3.3 mi

6. Continue onto Upton Rd 2.3 mi

7. Continue onto MA-135 W/South St 0.5 mi

8. Turn left at Baxter St 0.2 mi

9. Continue onto Charles St 0.3 mi

10. Turn left at W Main St 0.1 mi
11. Turn right at John St

Destination will be on the right 276 ft

St Stephen's Episcopal Church
3 John Street
Westborough, MA 01581-2510

Day 11 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Walking directions to Rose Garden Restaurant
(508) 529-7776

Nicks
124 Millbury St
Worcester, MA 01610

1. Head south on Millbury St toward Sigel St 387 ft

2. Turn left at Endicott St 0.3 mi

3. Turn right at Massachusetts 122A S/Vernon St Continue to follow
Massachusetts 122A S 0.2 mi

4. Continue onto Winthrop St 0.1 mi

5. Continue onto Heywood St 0.6 mi

6. Turn right at Massasoit Rd 0.3 mi

7. Slight left at Sunderland Rd 1.2 mi

8. Turn right at MA-122 S/Grafton St Continue to follow MA-122 S 4.1 mi

9. Continue onto MA-140 S/Worcester St 0.7 mi

10. Slight right at South St 0.4 mi

11. Slight left to stay on South St 187 ft

12. Continue onto Old Upton Rd 0.7 mi

13. Slight left to stay on Old Upton Rd 0.2 mi

14. Slight right to stay on Old Upton Rd 0.8 mi

15. Turn right at MA-140 S/Upton StContinue to follow MA-140 S

Destination will be on the left 3.6 mi

Rose Garden Restaurant
16 Milford Street
Upton, MA 01568

Day 10 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Walking directions to 910 Main St, Worcester, MA 01610
3.9 mi – about 1 hour 14 mins


266 Olean St
Worcester, MA 01602

1. Head south on Olean St toward Dawson Rd 0.9 mi

2. Slight left at Mower St 0.1 mi

3. Slight right to stay on Mower St 157 ft

4. Continue onto Chandler St 1.0 mi

5. Continue onto May St 1.1 mi

6. Turn right at Fairfield St 0.1 mi

7. Turn left at Enfield St 0.1 mi

8. Turn right at Park Ave 52 ft

9. Turn left at Charlotte St 0.3 mi

10. Turn left at Woodland St 92 ft

11. Turn right at Hawthorne St 0.1 mi

12. Turn left at Main St Destination will be on the left 56 ft

910 Main St
Worcester, MA 01610

Day 9 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Walking directions to 266 Olean St, Worcester, MA 01602
19.4 mi – about 6 hours 20 mins

500 West St
Barre, MA 01005

1. Head southeast on MA-122 S/MA-32 S/Barre Rd/West St toward Hancock
Rd 0.9 mi

2. Turn right at Barre Rd 0.2 mi

3. Turn right at James St 0.7 mi

4. Turn left at Old Cold Brook Rd 2.2 mi

5. Turn right at Old Worcester Rd 0.6 mi

6. Turn right to stay on Old Worcester Rd 302 ft

7. Turn left at MA-122 S/Worcester Rd Continue to follow MA-122 S 4.5 mi

8. Slight right at MA-122 S/Barre Paxton Rd Continue to follow MA-122 S 1 mi

9. Turn left at Mower St 46 ft

10. Turn right to stay on Mower St 0.2 mi

11. Turn left at Cataract St 0.9 mi

12. Sharp right at Olean St Destination will be on the left 85 ft

266 Olean St
Worcester, MA 01602

Day 8 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Walking directions to 500 West St, Barre, MA 01005
15.4 mi – about 5 hours 18 mins

MA-9 E/Belchertown Rd

1. Head east on MA-9 E/Belchertown Rd toward E Greenwich Plains Rd 200 ft

2. Turn left at Doane Rd 0.4 mi

3. Continue onto Walker Rd 0.3 mi

4. Slight left at Cross Rd 0.4 mi

5. Continue onto Osborne Rd 2.1 mi

6. Turn right at Collins Rd 0.2 mi

7. Collins Rd turns slightly left and becomes Hardwick Pond Rd 1.4 mi

8. Continue onto Turkey St 1.0 mi

9. Slight left at Czesky Rd 0.6 mi

10. Turn right at Lucas Rd 0.9 mi

11. Turn left at Hardwick Rd/Massachusetts 32A N Continue to follow
Massachusetts 32A N 1.2 mi

12. Slight right at N Rd 2.1 mi

13. Slight right at Taylor Hill Rd 0.4 mi

14. Turn left at Delargy Rd 0.9 mi

15. Continue onto Hardwick Rd 0.8 mi

16. Turn left at Old Hardwick Rd 2.2 mi

17. Turn right at MA-122 S/MA-32 S/Barre Rd/West St Destination will be on
the left 0.4 mi


500 West St
Barre, MA 01005

Day 7 (June 2) Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

We plan to use the Norwottoch Trail to Route 9 and travel to Ware Center Meeting House or if it is Raining Trinity Episcopal Church.

Day 4 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

We will be utilizing the Norwottoch trail system to get to Belchertown, MA during these few days off eventually ending up in Barre. Call us for our location if you intend to join us for these few days. 508-667-8280

Day 3 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Walking directions to 95 High St, Florence, MA 01062
7.0 mi – about 2 hours 13 mins
Suggested routes



MA-66 E/Main Rd

1. Head east on MA-66 E/Main Rd toward Southampton Rd
Continue to follow MA-66 E 2.8 mi

2. Turn left at W Farms Rd 0.7 mi

3. Turn right at Ryan Rd 0.6 mi

4. Slight left to stay on Ryan Rd 1.9 mi

5. Turn left at Florence Rd 440 ft

6. Turn right at Pine St 0.3 mi

7. Turn left at Park St 0.3 mi

8. Turn right at Meadow St 295 ft

9. Continue onto N Main St 85 ft

10. Turn left at N Maple St 0.1 mi

11. Turn right at High St Destination will be on the left

0.1 mi

95 High St
Florence, MA 01062

Day 2 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Walking directions to MA-66 E/Main Rd
8.6 mi – about 3 hours 1 min

Four Main Street Bar & Grill
4 Main St
Huntington, MA 01050-9678
(413) 667-5300

1. Head west toward US-20 E/Russell Rd 26 ft

2. Turn left at US-20 E/Russell Rd 472 ft

3. Turn left at MA-112 N/Bridge Rd/E Main St Continue to follow MA-112 N/E Main
St.0.2 mi

4. Turn right to stay on MA-112 N/E Main St 1.9 mi

5. Slight right at County Rd 2.3 mi

6. Turn right to stay on County Rd 0.7 mi

7. Slight right to stay on County Rd 184 ft

8. Continue onto MA-66 E/Pond Brook Rd Continue to follow MA-66 E
Destination will be on the right 3.5 mi

MA-66 E/Main Rd
Overlook Farm Rt. 66 Westhampton, MA

Day 1 Walking Tour ROUTE PLAN

Hey all! We are using google maps to guide us along with compasses. Please join us if you would like!!


Walking directions to Four Main Street Bar & Grill
(413) 667-5300
17.7 mi – about 5 hours 30 mins
Suggested routes



1342 County Rd
Becket, MA 01223
1. Head southeast on County Rd toward Stanley Rd. 3.2 mi

2. Slight right at McNerney Rd 105 ft

3. Turn right at MA-8 S/Main St 2.7 mi

4. Slight left at Wade Inn Rd 3.3 mi

5. Continue onto US-20 E/Chester Rd Continue to follow US-20 E 8.5 mi

6. Turn left at Blandford Rd/Blanford Hill Rd Destination will be on the left
26 ft

Four Main Street Bar & Grill
4 Main St
Huntington, MA 01050-9678

The First Rung - A Contradiction of Sorts

Each of the five certainly hold different reasons for undergoing this arduous trip; however, in regards to Paul's - read here about the initial leg of our journey. "The first road to cross a mountain range that was built specifically for the growing numbers of automobiles...read more"

"On the Walking Tour 2010" by Paul Gandy

In just a few days I will be filming, walking, and having a great time with this group of amazing people. Together we will walk the entire state of Massachusetts, stopping each night to perform a show. It is my duty to film the experience and turn the footage into a documentary. I am glad that the group came up with this tour and that they are happily letting me come under the title of “cinematographer”!

Why walk? For me, I am angered about the oil spill that has happened in the Gulf Coast. The United States of America is addicted to comfort and hooked on fossil fuels. I want to make this documentary in hopes that it will show at least one person out there that they can do something that is fun, true to their interests, and make a change.

The Walking Tour comes just after my completion of reading “Planetwalker” by John Francis PhD. John walked America in its entirety, constructed his own boat and sailed to Cuba and Brazil and made his way to Antarctica over the course of walking for twenty-two years. He never stepped foot into an automobile of any sort. Of the first seventeen years of his pilgrimage he did not talk. All the while of not talking and only walking, he earned a Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree, and a PhD in environmental science and land resources. When asked why, his answer is taken from his first hand experience with the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1971. It was in that moment that he chose to act on reason and protest against the way in which we as a first world nation conducted our livelihoods. I take much inspiration from this man.

In my own thoughts on the Walking Tour, the walk will be a pilgrimage of getting back to the roots of what it means to be human. Each day we will move forward, leaving behind only our footprints instead of a trail of exhaust. Each night the sound of music will leave behind great memories. When it is all done, I hope to have undergone much challenge and I hope that we all will have gained at least one new understanding about life and the world in which we live.

Carrying Things

In a moment of brilliance, my parlor sized guitar was affixed to the back of my pack. I have only used this bag once, maybe twice. Years ago, hiking mountains was how I "got my rocks off" but after becoming employed at the tool factory, reading and writing became an equivalent - much less strenuous as the job required lifting and walking in needless circles.
Now, far removed from industrial treachery, I find my wanderlust right where I left it. Not to mention these built in straps that seem tailor made for hoisting a small guitar above the lumbar region.
Bungee cords. Thank you Lynsey.

Sustaining Integrity

The entire trip is approximately 152 miles long; and this distance, according to Google Maps, would take about 2 days and 2 hours to walk. For some perspective, compare this stroll to the Appalachian Mountain Trail at 2178 miles which takes roughly 6 months to complete. We will only be walking for 17 days.

Google Maps states “Use caution – This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths,” I can not help but giggle a little to myself.

When I was younger and rode lightweight, trickster style bicycles, I’d been one to remove both front and rear brakes and opt for stopping the whole vehicle with the rubber on the sole of my shoe. Sure, I had blown out Chuck Taylor’s and bald tires but, for one reason or the other, accepted both the method and the fashion.

This trip is going to be hard but when compared to what a fellow musician recently deemed “one miserable experience after another” in regards to DIY touring, I anticipate this stretch to be a bit less dependent. I mean dependent on others to make it work, to make it comfortable, and to make it home. I have always wanted to go on a large hike, one wherein my ability to take care of myself was paramount – not like “hey, I found someone who will let me sleep on their couch,” but rather “hey, I just built my house and here I will sleep the night.”

As an artist, the co-existence of both solidarity and solitude is what I’m after here. Many wonderful people have helped to develop this tour, and countless others have assisted TATLMTTW when on the road. I am not thankless to those, but simply need to test limits – my own.

m.m.