The Concord Life, Concord, MA
In and around Massachusetts, United States
Greetings to all! I have spent my life in the general area of historical Concord, Massachusetts. As a child I lived in the neighboring town of Sudbury and would often come over for long walks and “treats” in Concord Center with my parents. Later my husband and I settled here (pre-children) and chose to gut and renovate a small historical home in West Concord Village. And now, 11 years and two children later we have moved to the adjacent Town of Carlisle, Ma. Carlisle and Concord have very much a shared present and history. The highschool is regional between the Towns, the Community Chest of fundraising is also a Concord-Carlisle venture as well as numerous other activities/sporting events of day-to-day life. We moved to Carlisle for its rural character, open fields and all around idyllic nature. It has one shop in the Town Center…Fern’s General Store. So, for all intent and purposes, Concord Center is still our Center.
I started this blog to share my warm feelings for this area and all it offers. I hope to impart the special nature of the place, captured early on by Henry David Thoreau and treasured by many since. The many aspects of Concord I enjoy include the historical significance; as a former History Major it was a natural fit for me, the rich literary history both present and Transcendental period, and finally, the rich abundance of utterly unique shops and artisans that make up its current fabric.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler TCL - author
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1
Meriam's Corner, Concord, MA
Four days in a row now of spectacular weather, this is just unbelievable! I see cyclists out in force. They gather at Fern’s General Store in Carlis... Continue reading » -
2
Daybreak at Walden Pond
This is as close as you’ll get to Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond. Early morning, sun cresting and the pond itself utterly pristine. If one plans... Continue reading » -
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Insider's Food Guide to Concord, MA
Best Cuisine
The Concord Cheese Shop (fabulous multi-course gourmet dinner for two created especially to take home or back t... Continue reading »
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4
Old Hill Burying Ground, Concord Cemetery
For visitors looking to discover monuments from the Revolutionary War the Old Hill Burying Ground dates from 1677 and includes many soldiers grav... Continue reading »
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5
The Carlisle Cranberry Bog
One of the treasures of Carlisle is its extensive Conservation Lands. The Cranberry Bog Reservation totals 310 acres, 151 of which are in Carlisl... Continue reading »
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6
Gateway to Possibilities
The photograph attached is serving today as my metaphor for taking a path to new possibilities, setting out in new directions and seeing what lies... Continue reading »
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7
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Positively breathtaking best describes this lovely place, a refuge for people as much as for the wildlife it protects. Should you find yourself visi... Continue reading » -
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Cranberry Harvesting in Carlisle, MA
I returned to the Cranberry Bog for Fall Harvest. Never actually having seen it in action it was quite an amazing site. I walk these paths around th... Continue reading » -
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Tribute to a Friend, Concord Independent Battery
I happened upon what I thought was a period recreation. In fact it was very much in the present. An early morning gathering of men in uniform and tw... Continue reading » -
10
January Thaw, Concord, MA
The January thaw was not only welcome this year, it was clearly recognizable. After weeks of snowfall and bone chilling temperatures this was a t... Continue reading »
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11
A Walk in the Woods, Carlisle MA
Winter is now officially over. Never mind that Spring has been on the calendar for weeks, it is classic to New England that we go from Polartec to S... Continue reading » -
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Lilacs in Bloom on Historic Concord's Finest
Finally, our reward. The long gray skies have given way to color. Everywhere throughout Concord the lilacs are in bloom and no place more so than... Continue reading »
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13
Historic Concord, Notable Shops & Open Lands...The Concord Life
Two years of daily journey in and around Concord, Massachusetts are the foundation for my book, Continue reading »
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