July 19, 2019

July 19, 2019

This morning we drove north to the town of Concord, MA. There we visited Walden Pond State Reservation. This small lake is famous because Henry David Thoreau spent two years by it in a tiny cabin where he penned his famous book, Walden. A contemporary of Frederick Law Olmsted (who's house we visited yesterday), he was also influenced by the Romantic Movement. His book explores communing with nature and the introspection that goes with it. Suburbia is starting to encroach and it is today a popular spot for Bostonians to swim and escape the summer heat. A recreation of Thoreau's cabin sits beside the parking lot.

We next returned to Brookline to visit John Kennedy National Historic Site.  This is the home where he was born and lived for his first several years.  His parents were rising citizens of two Irish immigrant families looking for privacy in this new suburb.  Modest by today’s standards it was upper middle class back then.

JFK initiated the NASA space program.  Since tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, a former astronaut is giving a talk.  We take the guided tour but don’t stay for the lecture.

We drove back to the airport, dropped off the rental car and took Uber to our downtown accommodations.  It is early so we take a long walk. We start at the Boston Commons, stroll through the elaborate Golden-domed State House ending in historic Faneuil Hall.  We have lunch in Quincy Market, and an ice cream on our return journey. We are sweating profusely with the humidity.