It was Sunday when we left Vermont. We enjoyed a multi-stake Stake Conference Broadcast at the LDS Church in Montpelier, and then drove the rest of the day. (to my East Coast friends: wasn't the broadcast wonderful? anyone have any idea where I can get a copy of the talks that day?)Our first stop was Walden Pond. We stopped and had a picnic lunch and pondered what the experience of Henry David Thoreau must have been during his more than 2 year stay at the Pond. Of course, we all know he wasn't completely cut off from the world, as he frequently walked into town. Still, it must have been quite the experience.
We visited a replica of his one-room cabin. I can't imagine what it must have been like during the long, cold winters! Summer, though - what a dream - fishing, swimming, reading great literature, napping, berry picking. Too bad he didn't have a hammock :)
Sawyer had a wonderful time exploring. I somewhat expected the Pond to be like Seattle's Green Lake - but it wasn't. It was slightly bigger and much less populated. No kayaks or peddleboats. No crew. No playground. But there was a nice dirt path and several fishermen. There were even a few college kids there taking their first swim of the season (okay, it was nice weather - but kinda cold for a dip - otherwise I would've joined them!)
Next, we ventured a few miles and came to the very lovely town of Concord. So maybe I couldn't live in Vermont - but Concord was such a cute town! Clean and bright, it really caught my eye. We found the Sleepy Hollow Cemetary and what is known as "Author's Ridge" where several famous authors are buried with their families.
Above is the Alcott Family Plot. The graves of the family members are quite small and simple, but I really like the headstone for the family plot. Take note of the feather pen and paper. So appropriate! We didn't have a chance to visit Orchard House, but I hear it is wonderful so if ever you have the chance, check it out!
Above is the simple, yet large, granite stone that is the grave of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the contemporary and mentor of Thoreau, who's grave is also on Author's Ridge. I just loved walking through the lovely cemetary and looking at the old, old headstones. Cemetary's aren't creepy to me. There's a certain peace and calm about them that I enjoy (not that I visit them frequently, but I think you get my drift ;)
We also stopped at Minutemen National Historic Park. We walked across the Old North Bridge, where was once fired "The Shot Heard Round the World". (Every time I say that, the music from School House Rock pops into my head...)
We made it to our hotel in Boston that evening, which is the real reason this whole trip happened:
Tia's Graduation from Emerson! She now has a Master's Degree. Congratulations, Tia! We are so very proud of you and all of your hard work!
If you didn't know, Tia is my twin sister. Sawyer isn't very happy in this picture. Since Jacob had gone back to Seattle I was flying solo with my parenting duties. I chased him up and down the stairs of the beautiful Wang Theatre, where graduation was held, and really worked up a sweat. But once it was over and we headed outside to meet up with Tia, I put him in the backpack. Usually, he likes it as he has a great view, but when we stop moving for more than 5 minutes he gets antsy. Luckily, after this photo was taken, we headed over to Boston Common for a reception. I must admit, the one thing I wanted to do in Boston, I didn't get to do: ride a Swan Boat. But it's okay. Maybe someday?We celebrated with a lovely dinner at the Prudential Center. It was quite a day. The graduation was the reason my 90-year-old grandmother ventured on this 2 week adventure! I think towards the end all of us were dreaming of our own beds. But we had one more day to explore...
So we went to Salem. We visited the Witch Museum. It is an interesting and tragic tale, what happened in that village long ago.
My little witch.
We visited another graveyard. This one happens to be the 2nd oldest cemetary in the United States! It is also the burying place of many of the victoms of the Witch Trials.
Adjacent to the cemetary is a Monument to those who were hanged. There is a stone bench for each victom. It was moving to walk through and look at each name on the benches.
Last, but surely not least, we headed out to Cape Ann (Gloucester/Rockport). I wish I could've taken more pictures, as it was by far my favorite place. Beautiful, well-kept, sun-bleached, little beach-y towns, now this is a place I could live!
We got out and dipped our feet in the Atlantic.
Here's Grammie, Gigi (Great-Grandma), Tysha, Sawyer, & Aunt Tia. Soaking in some sunshine!
Whew! And here I am with Sawyer. After our visit to Cape Ann, my family dropped me and my baby boy off at the airport and we caught a red-eye flight back to Seattle (direct, and probably the best flight ever - did I mention JetBlue doesn't lie when they say they give you 1st class at an economy price?) We had a wonderful time, but were ready to get home to Jacob and our own home. Sawyer slept like an angel the whole flight home. It was a long trip, but a good one! Thanks to my family for good times! May there be many more to come!
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