Day 10

This morning after breakfast we found the way back to the Minute Men March Road without taking the freeway. Traveling the Battle Road Trail we made our first stop at the Minute Man Visitor Center National Park office. We checked out all the wonderful displays, took some photos and bought a few things at the gift shop. Yesterday we had stopped at the site of the Hartwell Tavern and Meriam's Corner. Today we stopped at the Paul Revere Capture Site and Captain William Smith House before heading to the Battle Green at Lexington. History really came to life, not only because there were reenactors available to answer questions but all the historical signs and statues to look at. Standing on the spot where Captain Parker said "Stand your ground, don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war let it begin here." was amazing. Looking at the surrounding houses and churches that had signs explaining who lived there when the Revolutionary war broke out. To think those house were there when it all began was mind boggling. All appeared to be private residence yet and the churches were still active.

On we went to the North Bridge, passing Louisa May Alcotts, childhood home and Thoreaus's birth home. The ranger informed us that the new bridge is at the exact same spot as it was during the war. This is called the site of "the shot heard 'round the world." Ralph Waldo Emeson coined the phrase to dexcribe the significance of the brief battle that took place at this bridge. We were near Walden Pond, but did not stop there.

The roads that we traveled today were very narrow and windy and had many signs that said, "Thickly Settled". Guess that is a good way to describe them. The mix of old and new is amazing and you can almost feel the tension as some struggle to keep the buildings that are well over 200 years old in good shape, while the new shops and moden society creeps in.

The geocaches were few today but one was quite memorable. A neighborhood just out of North Grafton, MA has an artist who wanted to see a trail around the lake decorated with beatiful art. He has paved a large part of the trail with tumbled glass and everywhere you look there are statues created of glass, cement and metal springing out of the ground, hanging from the trees or hiding around a corner. Some even make noises when the sensor knows you are near. I hope the photos do this place justice.

We passed into Rhode Island around 1:00 and with that came the rain. We quickly found three caches in that state and went on to Connecticut crossing the border at 3:00. After grabbing some gas at $2.77 a gallon we headed for the Super 8 at Manchester.

We gabbed a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant called Sheas American Bar and Grill. I had a nice salad and a cup of New England clam chowder. Jim had a wrap and some cream of mushroom soup. We did get 169 miles in which is a few more than the 125 we covered yesterday.

Tomorrow we are meeting up with our friend Ron for dinner and will be spending 2 nights with him. So if I don't send any updates you know we are having too much fun with him. Saturday is up in the air but NYC has been mentioned. I was there 7 years ago but Jim has never been there. Just seeing it from New Jersey may be plenty for him too.