Tag Archives: forests

Wandering Walden Pond

Concord is a charming literary village established in 1635.  It is most known as the town that incited the American Revolution with the “shot that was heard round the world.” With its steeped history in combat, Concord’s Walden Pond is the antithesis of war.   A muse of Henry David Thoreau, the lake stands to represent the simple life of the author who spent over two years here living off the land.  Building a cabin close to the lake, Thoreau was drawn to the simple things in life and immersed himself in the surrounding nature.

Strolling the trail that followed the perimeter of the pond, I stopped to enjoy the playful chipmunks and rabbits scurrying along the path and chasing each other among the forest of maples and pine.

I could hear the crunching of dried leaves and the crackling of slender branches beneath me as I explored Thoreau’s solitary refuge. Walden Pond was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and a replica of Henry David’s cabin was reconstructed at a location near the current parking lot of this 335 acre state park and recreation area.

In addition to hiking the pond, visitors can swim, canoe, fish and cross country ski during the winter months.  Walden Pond would soon become a popular vacation destination after Henry David Thoreau’s book was published. This area had previously served as an excursion park in the late 1860s.  Visitors would be able to swim, swing, boat, play baseball, bike and run.  Concession stands, dining halls, bathhouses and a baseball diamond stood on this site until it burned in 1902.

Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord in 1817.  After graduating from Concord Academy, he went on to pursue his education at Harvard.  Interested in ornithology, the study of birds, it is no wonder that Thoreau pursued the natural beauty of Walden Pond.  While he was also interested in Greek mythology and British ballads, he returned to his hometown of Concord to teach school.  Influenced by writers such as Hawthorne, Alcott, Fuller, Thoreau wanted to become a writer as well.  His friendship with Emerson and death of his brother would lead Henry David to Walden Pond to journal about his experience and later publish his famous manuscript.

About a quarter of a way along the hike, there were a series of stones that marked the original site of Thoreau’s one bedroom cabin.  Several quotes from the author are on display as well as a marker which identifies the site of his original home.

Much like many of the other famous writer’s of his time, Thoreau became involved in many political manners and had even helped runaway slaves cross into the border of Canada.  This led Thoreau to write the essay Fit, which brought him international fame.

Prior to Thoreau’s stay at Walden Pond, the Fitchburg Railroad was built to bring hundreds of visitors to the site. I had wandered off of the well-hiked trail to check out the train tracks that seemed to expand endlessly into infinity.  I had expected a train or two to pass by yet there was no activity along the tracks.  I imagined the incoming of visitors loading and unloading in a nearby spot and was disappointed that I did not see a single train.

By the time I had reached the end of the trail, I knew exactly how Thoreau could fall in love with this place.  From the abundance of wildlife to the time of solace, a side trip to Walden Pond was well worth the visit.

Have you visited Walden Pond State Reservation?  Did you experience Thoreau’s love for the area?  I would love to hear about your time at the park if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for checking out my post about Walden Pond and wishing you many Happy Travels!

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What to See and What to Do:

Walden Pond State Reservation
915 Walden Street
Concord, MA  07142
Telephone:  978 369 3254

Where to Stay:

Concord’s Colonial Inn
48 Monument Square
Concord, MA  01742
Telephone:  978 369 9200

Where to Eat:

The Liberty at Concord’s Colonial Inn
48 Monument Square
Concord, MA  01742
Telephone:  978 369 9200

I couldn’t help myself and decided to make it a seafood night.  I started with the clam chowder and then ordered the Lobster Roll which was overloaded with delicious Maine lobster and served with Truffle fries.  There was so much food that I did not have room for dessert, but if I had the chance, I would have ordered the Flourless Chocolate Cake.

What to Eat: 

  • Boston Baked Beans
  • Cape Cod Potato Chips
  • Chop Suey Sandwich at Salem Lowe Restaurant
  • Clam Chowder
  • Fluffernutters – sandwiches made of peanut butter and marshmallow fluff
  • Fried Clams
  • Griddled Blueberry Muffins
  • Hoodsie Cups – cups of vanilla ice cream with a paper lid
  • Lobster Rolls
  • Necco Wafers
  • Roast Beef Sandwiches at Kelly’s Roast Beef

What to Read: 

  • Walden, by Henry David Thoreau
  • Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
  • The Things We Cannot Say, by Kelly Rimmer
  • In the Heart of the Sea, by Nathaniel Philbrock
  • The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, by Jerome Lawrence

Browsing the shores of Walden Pond

Cute Lifeguard On Walden Pond

Walden Pond Beach

The forests of Walden Pond

More Glimpses of Walden Pond

Checking out the Costa Rican Coast for the First Time

I remember the excitement I felt when the plane touched down in San Jose, Costa Rica on a beautiful February morning.  My best friend Melissa was going to pick me up and we were going to head out to the beach house in Playa Palo Seco.  It was my first time visiting, so I wanted to see as much of the country as possible, not knowing that I would eventually visit several times.

The open air airport was so small that it was easy to see Melissa as she and our friend David met me in baggage claim.  I took in deep breaths of air enjoying the mild humidity which was such a contrast to the snowy weather I had just left behind in Cincinnati.   I  couldn’t wait to explore this magnificent country in Central America and to experience the local food and culture.

We drove through the city of San Jose because we wanted to try to make it to the beach before nightfall with a couple of stops along the way.  We took for a few minutes to enjoy the architecture before beginning our three-hour journey.

The drive was absolutely stunning with endless forests and majestic mountains.  We drove through coffee fields and tropical plants as our rental car continued its climb heading south east towards the Pacific Coast.  Before reaching Palo Seco, we drove through the mountains on 301 where the road began to narrow and hugged the steep cliffs.

Frequently the scenery would disappear as the clouds clung to the surrounding peaks.  We were happy to finally reach the small town to pick up a few items before reaching the beach house.  The house was not air conditioned so we relied on fans to cool us down at night.  We also stopped by the local grocery to pick up some Imperial beer and food for the next couple of weeks.

We stopped short of the bridge so that we could see the local alligators and it became a favorite stop on our annual trips.  We lovingly referred to the crossing as Crocodile Bridge which crossed the Pirris River.   These bad boys measured over 13 feet long and there were at least a dozen of them basking in the sun as we drove over the bridge.  No one dare go riverside and it’s quite obvious why.

Bidding farewell to the reptiles, we headed west towards the beach until reaching a dead end. We could see a large, abandoned water park to our left and made a southern turn here to reach the house.  By now, we were traveling on a dirt road, having passed a small restaurant, we could soon see our beloved shack on the left.  Across the street we had access to endless beach, so I couldn’t wait to wake up early and catch a few waves.

Our plans were to hang out at the beach for a couple of days before heading back inland and then travel over to the gulf side to Puerto Limon near the Panamanian border.  I had been looking forward to exploring this amazing country, and so far, it has been spectacular.

Have you explored the beautiful country of Costa Rica?  What were some of your favorite places?  I would love to hear from you with any suggestions or questions if you leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my first visit to Costa Rica and wishing you many Happy Travels!

The Costa Rican Countryside

The famous Crocodiles