My Visit - Walden Pond (MA)

Walden Pond State Reservation

Panorama view of the pond

The pond is located at Concord. It is considered as the landmark of the conservation movement. The history behind it is related to Henry Thoreau, who lived there in mid 19th century and became an activist of natural preservation.

This is small pond surrounded by woods and trails. The area is pretty family friendly. Some said that  you could do picnic here. However, I neither saw any one was doing so, nor the barbecue setup, even not necessary. We came here in a cloudy autumn weekend. I was sure that it would look even more beautiful if it had been sunny.

The temperature was still cool around 9:00am and there were already a bunch of swimmers enjoying themselves. A couple of boats in the water. A young couple pushed a stroller not far from the beach. The quietness was broken by what looked like a group of students from nearby schools. Yeah.. everyone wanted to see the foliage in a Fall.

The trail was narrow but very well established and maintained. I think it could take about an hour or so to circle the pond. Let's see...

Next to the trail, behind the hill, it is MBTA's Fitchburg line of Commuter Rail:

MBTA Fitchburg Line

With the time of taking pictures and all that. It took more than an hour. But it was worth it. It is a good exercise after all.

Panorama view of the pond

My Visit - Nickerson State Park (MA)

Nickerson State Park and Crosby Landing Beach

Nickerson State Park

Located at Brewster at Cap, Nickerson State Park is a very well maintained camp ground. It attracted people from the east coast and even Canada. Last time we were there, We could see cars from New Jersy and Quebeq. Comparing to other camp ground I went before, while the camp sites are quite flat and reasonably sized, this is the cleanest and more friendlier one, with the showing facility nearby and water faucets every a few lots.

There is a small but very quite beach, or a pond more accurately, surrounded by the hills. Simply taking the trail or some paths formed by many people's walking. It is couldn't be better for kids to build sand castles and swimming. Although we are not that crazy about camping, we do enjoy every bit of outdoor activities and it offers all at Nickerson. A small jogging in the woods or riding bicycles on the nice meandering road outside the park.

Snapping Turtle

The park is very close to the town center, around 2 miles. There is a plaza there. Food, water, medicine, etc. you could easily get things that you forgot to bring. Need to remember there was a store right outside the park, while we ran out fire wood and tree branches, that was the place to go, $5 a bundled pack! Can't beat that.

Didn't really take many pictures and I misplaced most of them as well.

Crosby Landing Beach

It was supposed to be a walking distance from the Nickerson Part, but we drove anyway. Ten minutes tops including find a parking spot. It is quiet beach, clear water, and family friendly. We got there late afternoon, not many people around so we just took some pictures and wait for the sunset...

Wave is a great sculptor and left a great pattern for us to admire...

The bank also looked like an painting, quiet and soothing...

Finally came the sunset...

My Visit - Stage Fort Park (MA)

Stage Fort Park

I discovered Stage Fort Park when I took my daughter to her soccer game in Gloucester. There is no point to come home during the game and I am not interested in watching their game either this time. Exploring the local area seemed to be a plausible option, so I drove on...

It is a fun small beach full of rocks and sea weeds. It is quiet and calm. While most of the folks enjoy baseball and picnic around, sitting on the rocks breathing in cool air with a salty hint is a soothing experience.

Ocean view

Quite beach

Private bay for divers

Clear water

Artsy rocks

Seaweed

Seaweed

Before I left to pick up my daughter, I got was my Gloucester history lesson. Looked like that the very first bunch of settlers of Gloucester came on shore at what today we call it as Stage Fort Park. There is a big plaque on this huge rock says in detail:

My Reading List - Linwood Barclay

I would love to explore more author's work. I noticed Linwood Barclay's books in a local Target store. Looked pretty good to me. I noted down the name and went to the local library. 'A tap on the window' is where I get myself started. In general, I like reading Linwood's stories. However, I need to be very patient because his stories usually have very long run ways before all pieces come together. The more you read the better you get.

Trust Your Eyes (2012) - Schizophrenic Thomas Kilbride is a map lovers and discovered a possible murder when walking along a New York street with whirl360. Multiple threads and all inter-related. The author used first half of the book to set things up.

A Tap on the Window (2013) - A story about the PI Cal Weaver's involvement of finding where the teen Claire Sanders was, as well as locating the true reason behind his son's death from Ecstasy. Good writing overall, but sometimes too much detail.