Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Concord, MA

(Hiking around Walden Pond. I've come a long way.)

Peter and I went to Concord on a bit of a whim Saturday afternoon, and found ourselves completely charmed. This town was once home to Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Louisa May Alcott. All their homes are open for tours, including Thoreau's teeny tiny cabin by Walden Pond!

(There's a man inside dressed in period costume answering questions like he is Thoreau. "I walk four hours a day...nature is my holy place.")

The center of town is darling, boasting not one but two independent book shops, an antiques store and The Cheese Shop, which is essentially my idea of heaven.


They stock wine, pate, fancy sandwiches and salads (I had a truly fantastic broccoli salad with dried cranberries, almonds and a creamy buttermilk dressing), and of course, huge amounts of delicious cheese.

When we were there, the Concord Museum was celebrating its 125th birthday, which included live music outside, apple cider, and free admission. I'd recommend it even without the free admission if you find yourself in the mood to learn a lot about Concord.

The Concord Festival of Authors is taking place over the next two weeks. The Lobster, Champagne and a Dash of History event (which includes a free glass of champagne!) sounds especially fun.

Afternoons like this make me feel confident that we made the right choice about moving to the Boston area. I might be singing a different tune come February when I've been cold for months with no end in sight, but for now, it feels like home in a way that no place has before.

4 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you feel like you made the right choice about moving. And Brooklyn's loss is our gain because we LOVE where we live. The construction across the street and next door is DONE. Ava had a birthday party on Saturday and she insisted Doggy Chloe be on the guest list.

    Thoreau's cabin is SO cool! I have a family connection to Louisa May Alcott (via Bronson Alcott) - I need to ask my mom again because I'm fuzzy on the details.

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  2. "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined." - HDT

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  3. I adore Concord and am so glad you enjoyed it! I haven't been to the Concord Museum yet - I must get out there soon.

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  4. Kate, how neat to have a connection to the Alcott family! Bronson was quite an innovator in education, if memory serves from the exhibit in the museum.

    Sam, I have no doubt that that quote was displayed on a greeting card, hung cock-eyed in A3 :)

    Katie, I can see why you adore it! So many great things in that little town.

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