Picnicking Lures Travelers To Beaches, Wooded Areas

Although the water may still be cold, there's a lot that can be said in favor of picnics in the Spring.

For the man who has his roommate's car and a date who traditionally provides the food, an expeditions to the picnic grounds can be an inexpensive way to while away a sunny afternoon.

The Boston area is within easy commuting distance of many fine picnics sites. Once the goer has decided between woods and beaches, he has only to follow simple directions to the spot of his choice.

Of the shore areas, Crane's Beach in Ipswich is probably the most desirable. The management provides facilities for cooking, or if you choose, you may buy food at the snack stand there. Beer must be a part of the imported equipment however, for alcoholic beverages are not available on the white sands. Crane's Beach is easy to get to if you go out Route One about 20 miles, past Topsfield, and then follow the signs to Ipswich.

Rockport and Gloucester are other pleasant shore areas, with Gloucester especially commendable for its pleasant, breezy atmosphere. A trip out to Gloucester is a Sunday trip which has all sorts of possibilities. To get to Rockport take the road to Lynnfield and then 128 to Gloucester. From there just turn on to Rockport.

The Breakheart Reservation in North Saugus is the top choice for those who prefer the woods. It's a medium-sized reservation, seldom crowded, and covering a number of quiet picnic spots with its heavy evergreens. Breakheart can be reached by following route 28 to the Melrose Fellsway and staying on the Fellsway in the direction of route one. The Reservation is just before the Fellsway intersection with route one.

The Lynn Woods in another large reservation on the North Shore which is highly recommended by all those who have had occasion to traverse in that direction. Although there is no swimming, there are numerous lakes and it is easily reached by following route one to North Saugus, turning right at the sign which draws attention to Lynn and the North Shore.

Regardless of what people are told, there will always be those who decide that Walden Pond is a good place for a picnic. These people, impressed by the sylvan mutterings of Thoreau, will meet many, many more just like themselves at the old cabin site, and will find pleasant, quiet picnicking a difficult task indeed.

Wellesley's Lake Waban can be a far better spot for the person with the right connections. A day here can start off with a few rounds of golf, a small lunch near the water, a bike ride and some well deserved lounging. If the Welleseley girl is so inclined, she can lead her guest to other athletic activities also--tennis, for example.

For the less fortunate, the Spot Pond reservation out in Melrose is an interesting sector with wooded coverage. This small region has cooking facilities and generally isn't crowded. It can be found by following route 28 out of Sommerville right to Spot Pond.

Whether or not you have a car, picnics are available to all. People who are inclined to hop on a bicycle on a nice Spring day can be advised to peddle along until they get tired and then just stop. If a farmer should interfere, show him your bicycle, your lunch and your date. If you present them all in an attractive enough manner, chances are that he will invite you to stay, perhaps even tour the farm. They are chances, of course.

There are hundreds of smaller places within a half hour's ride from Harvard Square, and if you're out driving some day and make a sudden picinc decision, just stop at a gas station and ask, "Where?