I began today’s journey in Concord, MA, home of the shot heard round the world.  School children throughout America learn of this famous place and the infamous bridge where the Revolutionary War began. It was a beautiful crisp day in November, perfect for a walk through history. The downtown of Concord is filled with coffee shops, antique stores, and locally owned niche shops. My first thought was that I needed to bring Janet here when she moves. The town square is lined with colonial style churches, inns, and other store fronts.

 Walking a little ways out of the downtown area I found Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.  Though Washington Irving’s Sleepy Hollow is in Terrytown, NY, one could easily envision a headless horseman making rounds through this sprawling complex.  Sleepy Hollow cemetery seems like it was taken straight from Hocus Pocus.  Elaborate headstones and mausoleums dot the winding roadways through the hilly terrain.  Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, and Henry David Thoreau are some of the more famous authors buried in a section called author’s ridge.

A short drive away is the location of the Concord bridge. I parked at the North Bridge Visitors center that had once been the house of prominent dignitary.  The museum told the story of the battle and the events surrounding.

Just down the hill is the bridge next the old Manse. Park rangers dressed in revolutionary costume told stories of the events.

On my way out of Concord, I stopped by Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard Home, the setting of Little Women. Someday I’ll come back and take a tour.

My next stop was Lexington and the famous battlefield. Not quite as quaint of a town as Concord, but no less significant, Lexington has preserved it’s heritage for all to see. Another museum described the events of the day, and the battlefield is left untouched in the center of town. Lexington’s downtown is more modern than Concord’s and I found a great place to have lunch.

The last stop on my journey was Plymouth. Like Concord and Lexington, Plymouth is a thriving city with a great downtown area. I only drove through, but knew one day I’d bring Janet back to explore the shops and restaurants.

Plymouth Rock seems like a must see, but after all I visit like a tourist. My favorite part of the day was the tour through the Mayflower 2.  The guide was dressed in period costume and acted as though he were a sailor of the times.  I called my parents and shared the experience with them as they had toured the ship a year or so before.

My other brother-in-law and family live just west of Plymouth in West Bridgewater, so I finished the day at their house with a nice visit and dinner.  Days like this are what make me love living in New England!

 

 

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller