today beloved and i took the girls to Walden Pond. we had originally planned to go up to Vermont this weekend, but the cabin fell through, and then the memorial service was scheduled ... we at one point reserved a campsite -- when i thought i was going to blow off the memorial service -- but we canceled the campsite, and as you know, i went to the service. [more on that to follow.]

So Walden Pond was our leaf-peeping alternative. it wasn't quite the peak of foliage here (although oddly, my parents' area, which is south of here, seemed to be at its peak), but it was still lovely. we did a lazy stroll around the pond (1.7 miles), with little photo op detours; we had a picnic; we went on a (slightly) more strenuous hike; we saw some nature; the girls waded in the lake; We had a fantastic time, and I have the pix to prove it:

a shot across the pond

The water through the trees.

more water

Two random children who I do not know

leaves

The beach house from across the Pond

fuzzy, furry, feathery, yellow catterpillar

the beach, on October 8, at 5:30 p.m., at sunset, with several children in bathings suits, and people in the water, b/c it was warm, and sunny, and absolutely positively GORGEOUS out there.

We decided that when we go to CT in a couple of weeks to visit my parents, we are going to rise early on Sunday, and go for another hike in the a.m., while my parents are off at church. I have never gone hiking near my home town, even though I know that there are plenty of opportunities. I was such a lazy slug, and was not willing to depart from my parents' comfort zone, even when I was old enough to do so. I'm glad that I'm doing it now, though.

We had thought we'd have time to then go to a pumpkin farm and get some more autumnal delight out of the day (and out of the zipcar), but the girls (especially J) wanted to fill every empty smidgen of time with 'another trail.' so we did.

We went for a drive after the park closed, but found the miniature golf course closed and crappy (we'd seen it from the road in the past, but never pulled off to check it out in detail). So we came back into town, and had some yummy Vietnamese food at an old fave of mine and Beloved's, but the girls had never been.

All in all .... a great day. regardless of the sporadic brattiness from E. at intervals during the day.

posted by Zuska @ 11:02 PM

1 Comments:

At Monday, October 09, 2006 4:05:00 PM, VirtualT said…

What a beautiful place. I love the idea of New England in the autumn, as the last time I was there was for my aunt's New York wedding in late October. Spectacular. Lucky you.

Can identify with doing all the "good stuff" of your hometown years after you have left; I'm the same. Have rediscovered the highlights of CA since I have been trying to show my husband a good time there...

enjoy...