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Published: September 18th 2012
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British Grave
This grave of two unknown British soldiers of the Revolution caught my interest. This was in the Minute Man National Historic Park near Boston/Concord June 11—On the way to New Hampshire, I did make one more stop in Massachusetts. The Minute Man National Historic Site, the “official site” of the start of the American Revolution. I've always loved history and my interest in American history grows as I travel. I am amazed how the people from the cultivated, settled European nations not only crossed the wide, often dangerous, ocean and managed to make it in the wilderness they found here. Of course, many of them didn't make it—but those that did had more courage and stamina than I do! Imagine what the British soldiers, used to cultivated fields, thought when they faced the thick woods and undergrowth that the colonists knew like the back of their hands. No wonder the British lost in the long run. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the park and have decided I will do some more research on the war in this area.
June 11-17--I arrived at Greg and Polly's in the afternoon. Greg is Arnie's nephew. Lois, Arnie's sister died years ago, right after Arnie and I were married. Greg and Polly live near Gilmanton Iron Works a little northeast of Concord. I spent several great days with them.
Olde Boston Post Road
This hiking path used to be the dirt road called the Olde Boston Post Road. The first shots of the Revolution were fired along this road. Imagine fighting in the trees and underbrush in the area. Polly took me several places to explore, while Greg fixed everything he could fix on the RV, including the steps!
One of the first places Polly and I went was to Wolfeboro on Lake Winnepesaukee, which is the biggest lake in New Hampshire. Wolfeboro is the oldest, continuing summer resort in New England. Of course, I loved it. It had all the Victorian houses, quaint little specialty shops and beautiful scenery that anyone could want. We window shopped and had lunch on a deck of a restaurant overlooking the lake. The weather was perfect. We had an extra good time watching some young men wrestle a piece of machinery off a boat and into the back of a truck. They not only took a long time doing it, they also took part of the ramp with them when they left! It got to be pretty funny.
Polly drove me around the countryside so I could take pictures of the lake, pretty flowers and New Hampshire scenery. One day we spied a thrift shop and spent half the afternoon looking at all the goodies there. Yep, another family member who loves thrift shops besides me!
When I was
Lake Winnipesaukee
The largest lake in NH lies in the rolling foot hills of the White Mountains. on my own, I walked around the country side taking pictures. Polly's family owned the farm up the road and the cows seemed to like posing for me! I met her mother on Sunday when we picked her up to go to church. Their family not only has a large farm, but also makes maple syrup.
I tried to walk a mile or two each day. On one of my early walks I discovered some fungi growing on a tree in such a way they looked like flowers. I've seen lots of varieties of mushrooms and fungi growing on downed or dead trees, but these were the first I have ever seen on a live tree. Interestingly, they were only on this one tree. I was fascinated by them and took several pictures. I went back the next day, but they had already started turning brown and “wilting.” I am always amazed by the variety of God's artistry
Greg and Polly's house is on several acres that are beautifully landscaped with one of those New England stone fences that Greg built. We talked about the birds and critters they encounter on their land and Greg pointed out a
Fom Boat to Truck
Polly and I watched four guys struggle to get this piece of equipment from a barge to the back of the truck. They took part of the ramp with them when they pulled out. The one man is looking at the broken area. bluebird house next to their fence and told me there were babies in it. It's been years since I have seen a bluebird, so I watched it carefully and finally managed to get a picture of daddy bluebird bringing food. That afternoon we all had the pleasure of getting to see two of the little ones launch on their first flight. What a thrill. We could hear the parents calling for the third one to fly, but all he would do was stick his head out of the house. We never did see him leave the nest.
Bootsie—I didn't get to see the birds fly! I was sure busy watching the ground squirrels, though. There was also a cat that came by and we communicated through the windows. Marty was gone a lot during the day, (What else is new?) but she would play with me at night. I get bummed at her some times. She never seems to play when I want to, but she will tickle my stomach when I stretch out or when I'm trying to sleep. I let her know when I don't like it! Arnie's niece Carol lives close by and she came
Metal Art
Colorful metal art decorates a store front in Wolfeboro, NH over for supper a couple of times. There are two other brothers. Rick and Debbie live in Connecticut, but came up for the weekend to the Downing house on Crystal Lake. Joe and Elizabeth live on the opposite side of the lake. We went to their house on the 16
th for dinner. (It was supposed to be a “light” snack, but this family went all out, especially Elizabeth.) After stuffing ourselves we went for a sunset boat ride. It was cold, but felt wonderful. We were all bundled up in blankets. I kept saying I wanted to see a loon and Joe kept circling around until we spotted one. It was too dark to get a picture, however and we couldn't get close enough to see very clearly. I can say, though, that I did see a loon! We had the best time on that ride and at that gathering. What a great family. I laughed until I cried at some of their antics. I really enjoyed being with all of them!
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Melanie Neer
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What happened?
I was wondering...what happened to you? Hope you're okay.