After the windmill, I turned off Rte. 6A onto Stony Brook Road because I wanted to check out the gristmill. That was soooooo worth the stop. Seriously. This one wraps circles around Sandwich's (and Plymouth's too). I was expecting your basic waterwheel mill, pond, stream and herring run. This was all that and so much more. I parked at the little lot across the street from the mill and really loved the park and trails. The mill was closed and looked like was undergoing some maintenance, but that was fine because there was plenty to do and see.
Plus the sound of the cascading water is so soothing to listen to.
The stream runs under the road.
Could this be any more charming?!?!?!
Just lovely!!! Although...it should be noted that as I came upon this, which is at one end of the above bridge, I was appalled to see that some disrespectful person left a big empty pop bottle and 3 empty liquor nip bottles on top of the well. I was furious and grumbling aloud to myself about how repugnant the human race is, as I removed them for my shot. And yes, I packed them out with me and threw them away in a proper trash receptacle.
After the herring run, the stream continues on it's happy way through the happy little trees. ;-)
Then I walked across the street to check out the mill.
Fantastic paths that take you to the pond, across more bridges to the other side and back. This place is da bomb.
This is called Lower Mill Pond.
The water was flowing freely down the herring run, but the sluice gates for the waterwheel were shut.
Water would normally be flowing here to spin the wheel, which makes the huge, heavy grindstones turn inside the mill, pulverizing grains into fine powder, or 'grist'.
I hope you enjoyed my tour of Brewster, MA! Stay tuned for more adventures!
