June Joys - The Minuteman Trail & Walden Pond

We've always loved the Minuteman. It's his image that represents the Utah National Guard, and its his stories that we came to appreciate more in Massachusetts. Colonial farmers had to be ready in "a minute" to protect and defend their towns, and they did it with great determination. While Darin was visiting, we took the kids on part of the Minuteman Trail (which is nearly 5 miles). Although I had hoped to travel on foot the whole five miles during our stay in Mass., the video below will show you why, ultimately, we didn't ever attempt the entire trail. The route follows the original one that the British Regulars marched from Boston Harbor to Concord, and then retreated with the victorious Minutemen behind them.









That's a turtle peeping out at us from the pond. And this truly was a pond. Most "ponds" in Massachusetts are more like our lakes. This turtle was another reason we moved slowly along the trail. We spent a lot of time watching, luring, and naming him. We never did decide on just one name. Concord, Lex, and Hunter (Ivy's idea) were the three winners.

Nope. The picture's not upside down. It's the reflection of the trees in the pond.

The landscape is so beautiful!!

Don't think this is Ivy and her dad. This is actually Paul Revere and his horse (he gallops too!) and there are British Regulars waiting behind trees with sticks - I mean muskets -

to make him "halt."

Ivy chose this hat at the museum gift shop and wore it for days!

It will get use on the 24th of July as well.

The Minuteman tour guide at one of the museums. Coop loved the musket!

After the Trail, we headed over to Walden Pond in Concord. It truly is as beautiful and serene as H.D. Thoreau wrote. I could go there again and again. Definitely one of my favorites!

We didn't plan on getting wet, so we didn't come prepared. However, the kids didn't mind getting wet. At first, they tried to keep their clothes dry but then decided that FUN was more important!