50 States, Day 161

50 States, Day 161, Nashua NH to Lexington and Concord and back, 64 Miles
 
"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled.
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard 'round the world."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson


More history as we trod the ground where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. Amazing where history gives birth. A simple bridge over a placid creek, where the Redcoats faced off against a ragtag bunch of farmers who demonstrated they had enough. The British came to seize their powder, arms and flour, with no intention of hurting anyone. Yet someone fired the first shot and then the flurry unleashed. When the powder settled, two soldiers lay dead and the regiment pulled back, shocked at the realization the colonists fired on them.




In Concord, one can see the building where the colonists assembled, out and away from Boston, to plan their strategies. Taverns, churches and other buildings stand that were erected in the late 1600's.

We elected to participate in a walking tour, led by a man with 'arthritis’ in his leg. It may have been arthritic, but I've never seen a knee bend sideways like his. Yet he escorted us up a ridge through a cemetery, through town, and out to the bridge and memorial to the 'shot heard round the world.' These tour guides not only possess passion for their history, but are walking encyclopedias. I'm learning to go for the tours and learn more.


Once again the trees went out in style, with crimson, gold and tangerine leaves both hanging and fallen. It seems like a leaf shines in glory on the tree and twelve seconds after falling, becomes a brown mess in the yard. I just know it's great to see all these fall colors without the raking. A beautiful sunny day, the high end of a mixed bag week.
And now, shuffling through ankle deep leaves, our own Quilter Girl!


Another day of sunshine!  It feels so good, though fall makes itself felt in the cool mornings.  We took back roads to Concord and found great roads with lots of twists and turns.  This makes Kevin happy.  History really does come alive when you can see it.  The National Park Service had a great multimedia presentation that really helped me understand how this whole Revolution got started.  Too bad schools can't all visit these places, though it is all wasted on kids!  Had a great lunch at the Colonial Inn, though it was very spendy.  I guess the atmosphere was worth it.  I am looking forward to sewing tomorrow.


 This week’s:
MUTTERINGS, MUSINGS, RANTS AND RAVES
 
Most stupid drivers are in a hurry. Cut someone off, run up and merge, illegal u-turn, all for a few seconds. We're all guilty. Okay, I am anyway.
This desert rat asks; how much time does one spend mowing the grass, raking the leaves, and shoveling the snow? 0 for 3 in the desert.
 
Amazing we sue each other for construction defects and houses stand that were built in the 1600s. Don't kid yourself, the modern ones are far and above better.
 
Hats off to Motel 6! We've been in one for a week and they rock, at least this one. Great prices, quality and service.
 
I suppose many Boston people spend three hours a day in rush hour traffic. Ugh.
 
I didn't realize that the revolutionaries did so well fighting the British. Many times the Brits were outgunned and outnumbered. Course, the colonists hid behind trees, the first guerrilla warfare.
 
Funny how one part of the country turns out so much talent: Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau all hung out around Concord. Tea time must have been something.
 
Love the Minutemen. They kept prepared to get it going and fight in a matter of a minute. The statue depicts a farmer dropping his plow and taking up arms.


 
THE NUMBERS
29,000  Miles on the Gold Wing odometer yesterday.
1           Times in 161 days that I have unloaded the Gold Wing in the
             evening without forgetting something. Yesterday. Nope, not  
             today.
310       Cities in Massachusetts. Sometimes I remember the most useless crap.
3,500    Foot elevation at North Adams, a very high mountain in the east.
96         British soldiers at Concord.
400       Colonists/farmers/militia, same spot.
6           Nights in a row in the motel, a record. Probably tenting again next week.
860       Pounds of ice through the cooler so far.
35         Bucks to park in Boston for four hours. And they don't take Visa? Ridiculous.
 
THE STUPID DRIVER OF THE WEEK
 
One candidate drove a Smart car. The irony wasn't lost on me. We pulled up to a stop sign; he pulled beside us on our left and turned right in front of us. Hello? Do we exist?

The woman did it too. I back out to the center of a parking lot. While QG got on the bike, she passed us on the right then swung left in front of us. Brilliant! You saved maybe as much as five seconds.

Ding ding ding! Winner. We're stopped at a highway, and a guy slows to a stop on the highway and flashes his lights for us to go. He held up seven cars being polite. You are polite, yet hacked off the others, broke the law and encouraged me to do the same. You sir, are an idiot. A very well mannered idiot, but nevertheless a goofball.
 
That's it friends! Thanks for following. Tomorrow we'll do 'The Week in Pictures' and 'Church Surch.' See you then.


 
 
 
 
 
 

No comments: