114. Tasting

Week 114  8/29/17

We planned a few options in central Mass for today, and one of these was our annual search for peach ice cream, my favorite. We had found some great hand made ice cream at Rota Spring Farm in Sterling, and headed there first to check out the situation, even though it was early in the day and we weren't ready for ice cream. We discovered that they had peach earlier in the season and no longer are serving it. But more important, Paul learned that they (and other ice cream makers) use peach puree for their ice cream and in this case the puree is not from local fruit. So we opted for an alternate plan which we like even better. More later.

Paul thought I'd enjoy the corn maze at Davis Farm. I would have, even though this farm seems to be a theme park. But the maze won't open for a few weeks.

Next stop was Nashoba Valley Winery for a tasting. This proved to be great fun and a good deal, too. The tasting included a large wine glass and five credits for tastes of their wine, beer from their brewery, ciders or spirits. Some cost one credit and some cost two. We liked several of the wines and took two bottles home. We'd enjoy coming back and trying some more.

We sat outside near a little pond before going inside. There is construction of some new building going on.

Our server, Shannon, had a lot of information to share about all the items on offer for tasting. Thanks, Shannon!

We wanted a hike, so headed to Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge where we got a good long walk in along the Nashua River. We saw lots of shagbark hickories and sycamores. This refuge has endangered blandings turtles but we saw only common species of turtles. Along the first stretch we heard weaponry. Paul's opinion is that there was semi-automatic gunfire and something like a grenade sound but probably something larger. Fort Devens is nearby, I think, so maybe that is the source. Hunting is allowed in this refuge but I don't think there is any open season right now.

Looks like maybe otter were here, bringing up these shellfish. We may have scared them away since the meat wasn't eaten.

Our solution to the peach ice cream quest was to buy some incredibly ripe and tasty peaches from a local farmer and take them to Rota Farm where we purchased some perfect vanilla ice cream in extra large cups to allow space for sliced peaches. Problem solved.

On our way home, we stopped at the Wachusett Dam. There were many cars in the lot and we were curious whether there was an event going on. It seems that many people use this dam site for exercise, going up and down stairs alongside the dam.

113. Freedom Trail

Week 114  8/25/17

We've been wanting a Friday adventure to the Boston Public Library's WGBH studio to watch/listen to a broadcast of Jim Braude and Marjorie Eagan. After we arrived, purchased our coffee and found good seats, we discovered that this week the schedule had changed due to vacations. We'll have to try this another time.

We walked through the old part of the library, and discovered a rehearsal of Boston Lyric Opera taking place in the library courtyard for the public. I like how the statue fits right in with the action.

Outside, we wandered past the food vendors at the market. They were tempting but it wasn't time to eat and we have lots of farm produce at home anyway.

These people seemed to be local office workers on lunch break in Copley Square.

The Trinity Church, where I go for monthly meetings of the Greater Boston Knitters Guild, is having some renovations done. I thought this sign was a bit strange.



We walked through the Public Garden and Boston Common and spoke to one of the lifeguards at the Frog Pond where we learned that the water is chlorinated. Two cute frog statues were placed near the pond and the Tadpole Playground.

Near the State House we decided to follow the Freedom Trail and bought an official map. Paul had never done this. I thought I had, but apparently I didn't go all the way to the end. So we decided to do it today.

The following three signs present a history that shows both the good and bad of human nature. In the current political climate, these were very interesting to note. The first two plaques are at the Irish Famine Memorials

This sign is at King's Chapel.

King's Chapel is beautiful. We were allowed to sit in some of the private pews. These pews were privately owned and are closed with latched doors. Each owner was allowed to set up the pew in their own way, some with benches facing in all directions. A canopied pew seen in the photo below was for kings and was also used by President Washington. Some of the ancient furnishings, such as communion cups were on display. The largest bell made by Paul Revere is at the church but only on display during the bells and bones tour. We'd like to come back for this tour of the crypt some day.

I have been through the Granary Burial Ground many times and we went there today too, but I'd never seen the burial ground at Kings Chapel. Here is a stone dated 1658.

The grave marker for William Dawes is at King's Chapel.

John Winthrop and his family have an impressive grave marker.

The carving on this stone is one of the most intricate and pictorial of any I've seen.

One of the reasons I wanted to show Paul the Freedom Trail is because of this mosaic which I find beautiful. It marks the original location of the Boston Latin School, the oldest public school in America.  I wish it were in a place where it isn't stepped on all the time!

We ran out of time and will need to save a large part of the Freedom Trail for another day - or days. The last stop was the T station in Downtown Crossing where Paul (finally) applied for his senior pass.