We met in the parking lot near the Visitors Center, checked in with each other, and watched the people on bicycles depart, as we waited for everyone to arrive.

Our first stop was a nearby replica of Thoreau's cabin. Thor set the scene for our walk with tidbits of information on Thoreau's life and times. "Thoreau" is locally pronounced with the accent on the first syllable.

We crossed the road and made our way down to the pond ... THE pond ... Thoreau's pond ... Walden Pond. At this end the pond has a small sandy beach. Thor invited us to engage all our senses as we prepared to begin our walk.

Our trek began on the rustic path that circles the pond.

At one of our periodic stops, Thor explained the difference between a "lake" and a "pond." Walden Pond is a "kettle pond." It was formed when receding glaciers left a big hunk of ice behind that formed a "kettle" shaped recession below local ground water. Walden Pond is the deepest pond in Massachusetts.

We came to the site where Thoreau's cabin actually stood, just a few yards up from the edge of the pond.

A cairn, a few feet away from Thoreau's cabin site.

Looking down to the pond from Thoreau's cabin site.

We saw Pink Lady Slippers along our way.

We completed our circle of the pond and sat for a nice sack lunch provided by the Kieronski's. Our next stop, The Old Manse in nearby Concord, where Emerson and Hawthorn lived and wrote.

An idyllic setting, looking down from the Old Manse to the nearby river. This is where Emerson wrote Nature, and where the Trancendentalists gathered to discuss important ideas.

The nearby bridge over the river, where the "Shot heard round the world" was fired.

Us.

The river flows lazily through the meadows and woods.

At Authors Ridge

Many thanks to Thor and the Kiersonski's. We had a GREAT time!!!