Leaf Peeping

This past weekend was a beautiful one, so Jim and I planned to do what they call "leaf peeping" here in New England. I think that phrase is unique to this area of the country. I don't recall ever going "leaf peeping" in New Jersey. We'd go on "fall foliage" outings.

On Saturday, we went to Chatham for "Pumpkin People in the Park," which is a display of people made from pumpkins doing various things.

Jim & Wheelhouse Bike Co.
Pumpkin Cyclist

My favorite was the Chatham First Night display.

First Night Chatham

Look at these little cuties!

Happy New Year!

We ended our day with dinner at the Wild Goose Tavern, a very special place for us. We refer to our grandchildren as The Goozers, which is short for silly gooses. That's right -- from Penny down to Joey, they are all very goozey! When we first vacationed on the Cape in 2015 with Christina, Lou, and Penny and Michael (at the time) and visited Chatham, we saw the Wild Goose Tavern and, in honor of The Goozers, just had to stop there for lunch.

512 Main Street

Two Goozers at the Wild Goose Tavern
July 2015

Just Us Chickens
October 2022

On Sunday, we met Christina and the children in Lexington where we had a picnic lunch on the lawn of the Lexington Visitors Center. What a great place! In addition to offering clean bathroom facilities, the center has a gift shop with interesting items for sale. We bought an informative booklet detailing the history of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. In addition, a walking tour and trolley tour are available. Best of all, the Center has an expansive lawn with Adirondack and other types of chairs and a variety of outdoor games to play, such as corn hole and croquet. There was even a small trampoline for young children to enjoy.

Lexington Visitors Center
1875 Massachusetts Avenue

We have been inundated with leaf peeping reports on the evening news, including maps showing the "peaks" in various regions of New England. The colors range from green (early) to deep red (late). This past weekend, the route from Lexington to Concord was orangey-red, meaning peak. The deciduous trees were weird, though. Many continue to have green leaves. Some have already lost all their leaves. Still, there were enough bright yellow, orange, and red trees to satisfy us, although the bursts of color seemed somewhat tempered by the summer drought.  

Changing Leaves in Lexington

After a very quick picnic lunch, the children were off and running -- playing catch with Michael's football, testing their skills at cornhole, and jumping on the trampoline.

Grandpa Doling Out Lunch

Mary on the Trampoline
(Actually, she is off the trampoline)

Grandpa and the Boys Playing Football
(The ball is in flight)

When it came time to take a picture of the Goozers under the tree, well, that was a challenge.

Herding Cats Under the Tree

Herded Cats

Our oldest grandchild, Penny, had a prior social commitment scheduled, so she did not join us for our happy little outing. Still, we thought of her and missed her throughout our time together.

After our time with Christina and The Goozers came to an end, Jim and I headed to the Lexington Battle Green, which is across the street from the Visitors Center. There we saw the statute of a very attractive Minute Man. (Note: He was not as attractive as my dear HubCap.)

Minute Man Statue

From there, we went to the Belfry Hill Park, where Jim climbed Belfry Hill and took a picture of the replica of the belfry. Today, the belfry marks the beginning of Patriots Day every year when it is rung at 5:30 a.m. This is the time that the bell tolled on April 19, 1775 to signal to the Minute Men that the British were a mile or so away and called them to the Green where the first skirmish of the Revolutionary War took place.  

The Belfry

Patriots Day, by the way, is a state holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as five other states, including Connecticut and Maine. It is observed on the third Monday of April and commemorates the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy. (On their way back to Boston from Concord and Lexington, the British were greeted by various militias waiting for them in Menotomy.)

After our time in Lexington had come to an end, we drove to Concord for more leaf peeping. Although the bulk of colorful tees lined the side of the highway on our way from East Sandwich to Lexington, we found some beauties along the road from Lexington to Concord.

On The Way To Concord

Also On The Way To Concord

When we arrived in Concord, we parked near Holy Family Parish, which was built in a very New Englandy style.

Holy Family Parish

Autumnal Glory

Next to the church was a cemetery. There, the beauty of the season shone in hallowed rays of sunshine despite being surrounded by death.

Holy Family Parish Cemetery

Jack-O-Lantern-Dotted Graves

We ended the day with a visit to the Old North Bridge in the Minute Man National Historical Park.

Old North Bridge

It was a great weekend here on the Cape and Inland. We have so much to be grateful for, especially the men and women who fought to win our freedom.

We Will NOT Be Back