Old North Bridge

[Old North Bridge, Concord, MA; August 6, 2006; click to view larger]

Sunday we picked up sandwiches at my favorite deli in Concord and then rented a canoe at the South Bridge Boat House. Beautiful day for a paddle. We made it as far as the Old North Bridge (where the shot heard 'round the world was sounded in the American Revolution), got out and relaxed on a dock for awhile, then wandered around The Olde Manse before paddling back. This is old stomping grounds for me, since I lived in Concord (okay, West Concord, bastard child of Concord) back in the early '80s. I've returned toting my bicycle on occasion or renting a canoe.

And we returned to Concord yesterday, after I worked half a day and met up with Island Man to spend the next few hours in Harvard Square (had a yummy Vietnamese lunch then toured the Sackler and Fogg Museums at Harvard). I'd discovered a back route to/from work, if the Pike or rte. 128 was jammed, that takes me right past Walden Pond. So around 4:30pm we skirted the beginning of rush hour and descended into the peaceful coolness of the Walden Pond State Reservation. I think I could make a habit of dropping by there on the way home - ~15 minutes from work, go for a swim or a walk, bring a book and something to eat... Heaven. Not a lot of time left in the season, but I'm thinking a Mass. State Park pass is in order. No photos of the pond yet, last seen sparkling in the late sun as we headed to the parking lot. Maybe next time.

Comments

[Sara]

How funny! Great minds think alike. We took that exact ride the Sunday before. This Sunday we went in the opposite direction. We didn't get too far, though; our picnic was very, very loud and insistent.

I love, love, love Concord and will be blogging more about it shortly. I'm not at all surprised you used to live here, too. It attracts all kinds of creative and spiritual, or at least spiritually curious, types.

[Pica]

Walden Pond is one of my favorite places in the world. If you have a pass, a quick 15 minutes would do wonders for your computer-desk-ailments at the end of the day... Great idea, great good luck it's on your way home!

[marja-leena]

Sounds lovely! And what a treat after work so you can de-stress before driving home. You are luvky, Leslie.

[leslee]

Hi Sara! Funny you were just there. I love canoeing there. Haven't been further downstream, though. Yes, Concord's great - maybe I should look at moving there next year - it'd be so much easier to get to work in Belmont.

Pica: You are absolutely right. Whether I walk or swim or just sit and look at the water I think it's going to be a great place to unwind. Just bought a pass today!

Marja-Leena: Thanks - yes, very lucky.

[Lisa]

this is so quaint; it reminds me of something out of a scene with tom sawyer rowing by in a little boat :)

[leslee]

Lisa: It does have that feel to it - very timeless.