We started out this morning at about 8:15, with the car fully loaded, our stomachs full and full of excitement. Mapquest promised that the trip would be about 375 miles and six hours to our first destination - Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. It was a beautiful, cool, clear day for travel. Early in the ride, we all took an oath in which we solemnly swore to not "whine, backtalk or bicker." Of course, that was quickly forgotten. It's always good to try though.
We stopped for a quick lunch after crossing over into Massachusetts. The kids heartily recommend the the pizza at Papa Gino's... The rest of the trip was then completed in about two and a half hours. Walden Pond was a little different than Karen and I imagined though. There were no crusty New Englanders in wide brimmed hats expounding upon the deliberateness of living or transcendental thoughts. Instead, there was an ice cream truck in the parking lot and a public swimming beach. So much for the simplicity of life.
All things considered, Walden is absolutely magnificent. Once the trail winds away from the beach, the peaceful serenity of the environment becomes apparent. From the bare granite outcroppings, fragile fir trees and captivating glimpses of the pond from various vantage points, it is easy to see why Thoreau and Emerson loved this place. "Kettle" pond is a an apt term - the landscape all slopes down to the massive bowl of the pond. A trail surrounds it (with a wire fence surrounding the trail to protect the shore) that leads to the site of Thoreau's cabin. Very moving. We were able to complete the circuit of the pond - with a side trip to check out the train tracks and to dip toes in the pond - in about an hour and a quarter. Well worth the trip.
Of course, reality had to be faced again upon leaving. A 27 mile trip to the hotel in Danvers, MA, took an hour and a half on I-95 during rush hour. So much for spiritual cleansing. Tomorrow, on to Salem, Gloucester and Rockport!
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