Ash Thoreau

Still in Massachusetts. Almost everyday we have been here, I have found myself at a random body of water.

Yesterday

I was roped into going to one of those old timey villages where they role play that they are truely living in that time. Too bad it was closed. So we drove around and kept getting out and back into the car. At one point we were were at this river with a waterfall. Then finally at Westville Lake.

At Westville, my kid started to lose it because she had it in her head that we need to go jump in any lake we come across. I took her on a walk and instead found a spot to throw rocks into the water. She seemed to be okay with that.

Eventually, my husband found us, and while we sat there enjoying the view, a wild swan came swimming out from behind this miniature lake island. I have literally never seen a wild swan. I was blown away. I mean, I guess I knew they existed… swan in the wild… logically they have to exist somewhere. But I had no idea where they lived or that I would ever see them. They’re in Massachusetts everyone. Wild swan. Massachusetts. This Southwestern lady leaned something new.

After the lake, we all went to a restaurant my husband found. It was the exact hole in the wall type of place he wanted to find that had pizza and subs. It’s called Simon Says Pizza Chef. It was so freaking delicious! We have already gone back a second time and will probably go back before we leave.

Later that night we did one last family BBQ. It was a lot of fun. My kid got really sad saying goodbye to everyone though.

Today

We said goodbye to the last of the family. They were going on their own vacation. We are now at the house alone.

We had plans to go into Boston but it ended up stressing me out too much. So we went into Concord to walk Walden Pond and see Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Both were gorgeous.

Walden Pond was kind of frustrating because the train was wired off so you wouldn’t stray. I get why they did it, but my kid kept grabbing the wires. There were spiders and open ends she could have cut herself on. At ont point we even saw a bat sleeping on one of the fence posts. It was just more difficult to hike with her trying to grab it constantly.

We didn’t walk the entire pond. We just went to the cabin. I’m not sure why but it is more stressful doing things like that with my husband. It feels like I’m being held back a lot because he doesn’t think the kid can do things. But maybe it’s good. Sometimes he’s in the right when he helicopters. We balance eachother out a lot. I just think she’s capable of doing more than he gives her credit for sometimes.

After the pond we drove over to the cemetery. It was pretty. I wish I had more time to walk the grounds. But the kid was definitely done by the time we got over there. So I ran over to Thoreau’s grave and snapped a few photos. The selfie was for posterity since I’m named after him. Felt weird but right at the same time. I did take the time to tell him I was going to snap the photo and thanked him for everything. I don’t usually try to speak to people that have passed but it was an attempt to be respectful and explain that my dad had made the request for the photo in the first place since he couldn’t be there with me.

On a side note, I didn’t like the things people left to pay homage to Henry. I guess the pencils made sense. But someone left an Uncle Tom rubber duck. I feel like natural tokens would have been more appropriate. But what do I know.

We then drove back to the house and chilled there for the rest of the evening.

Overall, the trip has been so much fun. There was some anxiety and irritation in the beginning but I decided to let that go and just roll with it. The trip got way better after that. So I guess the lessened has been learned.