This walk began at the Wellesley Hills station on the Framingham-Worcester commuter rail line. It is the counterpart of the walk South from Wellesley Hills, third prior to this one. As noted in that narrative, I have passed this point many times and ended some walks here.

Once again, I took the earliest available train, which reached my starting point at 7:15 AM, a few minutes early. (Apparently, the MBTA has changed schedules somewhat; in my current - May 15, 1999 - edition it is due at Wellesley Hills at 7:23, leaving South Station at 7:00 and Back Bay Station, where I embarked, at 7:05.) Outbound one disembarks at the edge of one of the "Hills" of this one sided station and crosses the tracks to the parking area and exit. This time the inbound train, which before I had watched pull out before I could start, stopped before arriving as the outbound passengers went over the tracks.

Once on the other side, I turned left and went up the stairs to Cliff Street. Turning left again, I began my northward direction. As I passed over the railroad bridge, the Boston bound train was now going under it.

Just after this after this bridge, I went under another one, which carries Route 9 (Worcester Street). The hilly nature of the area was apparent. It was cool, and I was walking fast.

I was viewing some of the older, finer homes that are common in Wellesley. At Chestnut Street, I saw a man walking a dog. My uphill course became steeper, and around Hawthorne Road I reached a summit.

I followed a sharp left curve and passed the other end of Chestnut Street. (Though not accordingly to plan, I later repeated this part of Cliff in December on the walk West from Wellesley Farms.) At fifty-five Cliff, I noted a particularly huge residence.

Continuing further uphill, I came to an intersection with Cypress Road on the left and Rockridge Road on the right. (Cypress was where I turned on that later walk.) At 77 was a nice looking stone home.

Just past this on the left was a rock outcrop, and a newer home was in back of it in what seemed to me a somewhat jarring setting. Then, around Lowell Road, Cliff leveled off.

Following a sharp right curve, I saw at 108 the large lot of an "estate" type home behind evergreen trees. Cliff next turned left, and at 146 I observed a large white home with columns, as I passed Albion Road on my left.

I was holding in my hand the Arrow West Suburban map, and on it I noted that "Rockridge Pond" was listed on it to the left of Cliff here, but no such feature could be seen. Actually, this is an error; the Arrow atlas shows the pond to be somewhere off to the east.

The road turned left, inclining somewhat uphill. I met a woman with a puppy that attempted an imitation of an attack dog, lunging at me but then, when I failed to react fearfully, falling back.

There were some brick homes along here. At 173 a saw a stone and wood colonial, with a well landscaped lot.

I saw a rock "cliff" at another crest, then curved left with Cliff. Next came another upward incline, and I saw even more excellent homes. On my left I went by a big two and half story residence in construction, with a sign reading "Sold," just before White Oak Road on the other side.

Peirce Road came just after on the left. (One would think from the Arrow and Universal maps that this is Greylock Road). At this intersection was an apparently new and definitely fine home; Behrend Tree and Landscape advertised its work here with a sign.

Reaching another hilltop, I curved right and then left with Cliff. I was now in Weston, with the street continuing under the same name.

One of the wealthiest municipalities in Massachusetts, Weston was originally part of the Watertown settlement. The three volume History of Middlesex County (D. Hamilton Hurd, supervising compiler; Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis and Company, 1890), in the article on this town written by Col. D. S. Lawton, says that the "West Pine Meadows were in the southerly part now known as Weston." Bounded then by Sudbury and Dedham, Weston became a distinct precinct by 1698, with the bounds of this "Farmers Precinct" set in the next year.

This source relates that in 1699 its bounds were set by the General Court (the somewhat confusing official name of the Massachusetts legislature) as "from the Charles River to Stony Brook Bridge and from said bridge up the brook Northerly to Robert Harrington's farm, and comprehending all the farms and farm lands to the line of Cambridge and Concord, and from thence all Watertown lands to their utmost Southward and Westward bounds." Weston was incorporated as a separate town in 1712 with the bounds so indicated.

On the left I passed another rock outcrop then saw a small lily-covered pond. This appears on the maps without a name, a circumstance I hate, as it robs me of another addition to my collection of place names. There was a stone wall here.

Then on the same side came Scotch Pine Road, at which was a sign for Henderson House, indicating that it is connected with Northeastern University (it is in fact a conference center). The sun was coming out now, as it would from time to time on this overcast, rather humid, day.

I went uphill and curved right. Houses were now visible. At 75 and 72, I reached a hilltop and began going down, curving to the right.

The street numbers were declining. At 45, I saw an "estate" with a small pond; in it was an island, accessible by a little bridge.

Cliff made a right curve opposite a large white home with columns at 35. Westcliff Road was passed on the left. (This curves back to Scotch Pine Road.)

The street made a gradually downhill course, and I now saw woods to my right. At 17 was a large home behind a metal fence and shrubs.

Now I went somewhat upward, then followed another slow declination. It seemed to me that "Weston Hills," borrowing from its neighbor town, would be a good name for this section of Weston, which indeed lacks a locality name on the maps.

I saw just trees on both sides of the road. I followed a left curve, noticing that the left side would now rate as wetlands. There was a hill beyond it, which I suppose I can see (without a name) on the USGS map, Westcliff Road running over it.

I came to Glen Road, observing another Behrens sign at a colonial home; apparently, a new lawn was in progress. This lot had a stone wall.

At this intersection, Cliff Road ended and Oak Street began, although I did not know that yet. At 157 Oak, I saw a small rather rundown (maybe "fair condition" in assessing terms) house. It appeared to have a garden, and there was an old stone wall.

Proceeding upwards, I inspected my map (perhaps in response to the numbering change) and realized what street I was now on. I passed a huge new contemporary colonial at 147.

Next on my left I went by a fence with a barbed wire top, which was behind a stone wall with some overgrowing vegetation. I could just glimpse the home here, which was behind a stand of pine trees. On the other side I saw a house, whose lot abutted Gail Road (a dead end street).

I went up as Oak curved right and then left. The fence I had been viewing on the left ended, with a stone wall running perpendicular to the street. Byron Road, with a street island, appeared on the right; then I saw a stone wall and trees on that side.

I pursued a sharp left curve. To my right I saw a downed tree and glimpsed a fence to the left of another "estate-type" residence at 85. The street numbers of Oak seem to be out of synchronization, as I then notice a one-story home on the other side at 78.

Now on the left I passed fenced-in land with an aqueduct and saw a stone building. From the map I knew that the Norumbega Reservoir was behind there, but it could not be seen.

On the right were houses; I could see the aqueduct on that side just before the home on the other side numbered 50. I continued the curving course of Oak as it rolled uphill.

There continued to be undeveloped land on my left; on the fence I observed the sign of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. On the right homes, mostly of the colonial variety, continued. On that side was passed Linden Circle.

Past this on the maps is Seaverns Brook, which I evidently went over without noticing it. This would count under my rules for "collection" purposes, but I have previously encountered this aquatic feature, which runs into the Charles River, on at least one other walk.

The fence ended on the left, as I saw a yellow ranch on the opposite side at 19. Now I walked over the bridge over I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike). To the right I had a view of hills in (I suppose) Newton; to the left, heavy traffic was evident on the highway, which rises uphill in that direction.

Very quickly I same to South Avenue, which is Route 30 here, an older east-west highway that I have traversed completely. (I passed through this section on the return of a long walk beginning from Newton to Framingham and back; this was in the early days before I has systemized this activity. I believed it ran about ten hours, Cathy having in effect given me a day to spend by myself, as she was involved in a friend's wedding. The walk that resulted in the completion of this route, ending at its western terminus in Grafton, will appear below.) On the right hand corner was a yellow colonial residence.

Oak Street ending here, I now went west on South for a very brief repeat of Route 30. Just before Bittersweet Lane on my left, I noticed a Weston Police car. An officer seemed to be writing a ticket for a stopped motorist.

Here I saw houses to the left and trees on the right side. On the left (the side on which I was walking) then came a fire station. Noting a phone booth by it, I stopped to leave a message for Cathy. The call cost only ten cents, the conversion to thirty–five cents not having been made here yet. As I was on the line, the police car pulled in and parked, presumably in waiting for the next victim. (This surmise seems to be supported by the Speed Trap web site.)

I then crossed to the other side of the street to go north on Ash Street. I followed left and right curves. At Trailside Road on the right I observed a landscaping crew.

There was some sun, but it was generally cool. On my left were seen houses, whereas on the other side was wooded land with an old stone wall, part of the property perhaps of 33 Ash.

In this area, I experienced the sights and sounds of landscape work, a seasonal phenomenon I invariably encounter in the wealthier suburbs. I had now done one hour. At 47, I made a sharp left curve. This was an attractive one and a half story home. Many lots here had signs denoting protective services; this one was under the Rollins aegis.

I passed Woodridge Road on my left and curved right. At 64 was a large two-story home at which was a Genove Oil Company truck. This was a van rather than a tank truck, evidently making some kind of service call.

Ash went downhill, curving right. On the right, at 73, I saw the Engler Violin and Viola studio. I went by Beech Road on the left, seeing an S-shaped curve ahead.

After 95 came a right curve, as I went uphill. On the left I observed undeveloped, wooded land. I came to a crest and made a sharp left at 102, an old white two and a half story residence with green shutters

In front of me could be observed trees ahead on the right, and then on the left as well. I followed left and right curves. Now I could see the Weston Reservoir ahead behind a fence; two people were walking beside it

This area proved to be the scenic highlight of the walk. The main body was on the right; on my side was long, narrow rectangular "annex" - maybe "trench" would be the right word for it.  Partly just for the charm of the view, but also on account of the opportunity the adjacent trees afforded for a comfort stop, I decided to walk around this. I went westward to its end, turning right there and observing traffic on Wellesley Street.

Looking back at the reservoir, I noticed a small stone building by it. On the other (northern) side was a kind of roadway with trees planted along it. I followed this back to Ash Street.

My short excursion had taken about fifteen minutes. Such detours are usually prohibited on my walks, but on this one I had no time worries. I had planned one of my "three-side" routes: north for three hours, back east for an hour, and then south again for a total of seven. This scheme would lead me back close to Boston - where, I had not bothered to calculate, but I supposed that I might wind up somewhere around Lexington or Arlington. Of all such game plans, this was probably the one that most miscarried.

Now I returned northward on Ash, with views of woods on both sides of the street. On the right I saw a trail, with some cars parked beside it. A woman was walking with a dog here.

I went by an older home at 180. Then there were woods left and right again, with stone walls by the road; and I could hear birds.

Ash went upward. On the left I viewed what appeared to be very overgrown farm or orchard land. At 211 was large residence, the home of the Weld family.

A female jogger went by. At 226, a large white home (probably once a farmhouse) with black shutters, I reached another hilltop.

Next there was a field on the left. I noted older homes on the other side at 229 and 233. Then I reached the intersection with Newton Street. Across was a field.

As I continued north on Ash, I was now repeating an earlier course. I came to the junction of Wellesley Street.  Now on that road, I passed on my left the Weston Public Schools administrative offices in an old brick building.

On the right was Land's Sake. I remembered this organic farm stand, with pick your own produce: Flowers, basil, squash, corn, eggplant, and tomatoes were advertised. A sign said it was closed, but I noticed some people picking flowers.

Land's Sake has become famous: Its founder, Brian Donahue, has published a book about his efforts in promoting the "land ethic" (Reclaiming the Commons: Community Farms and Forests in a New England Town, New Haven, Yale University Press, 1999). A very favorable notice in the New York Times Book Review (October 24, 1999) says that Land's Sake, a product of twenty years "hard work and blistered hands" on the part of Donahue, "has followed sound ecological principles, made money, enhanced the beauty and rural character of the town, and involved scores of students in farm projects".

I now turned onto School Street, on untravelled territory again for a while. On the left was the Case House. A sign told me this contained still more Weston school administrators; on the building one could read that is was once "The Field School".

Also on that side I saw the Weston Public Library, in a new brick building. On the other side of the road I passed a small white structure, observing it to be the Weston Scout House.

At Alphabet Lane, on the left, signs directed one to two Weston Public Schools institutions: the Country School and the Woodland School. Somehow these names seemed very Weston-sounding.

At 78 I saw an older home. I followed a left curve, noting a large brick building up ahead. On the right, at 68, was large white house with black shutters with a barn-garage.

On my left was a school field. As I reached Maple Road, to the right, I was again on a repeat course. (On the return leg of a walk whose beginning was so long before that I do not remember it, I took Maple from School, intending to continue to Newton via Meadow Brook Road. That way proved to be private property as it goes through the Weston Golf Club, so I went south on Ash Street and took Newton Street toward the municipality of that name.)

Through I field to the left was a vista with trees in the background. Behind a brick building I could read signs proclaiming "Rabies Alert," "Caution Children to Avoid Wild Animals," and "If Erratic Behavior of Animals is Observed, Notify Weston Police." Life seemed rather dangerous in the suburbs! As I went on, I resolve to dial 911 if I saw lions, tigers or bears acting strangely. But at least, I thought, they did not seemed to be concerned about erratic pedestrians.

The large brick edifice that I had noted earlier proved to be the Brook School Apartments, in which were the offices of the Weston Council on Aging. This example of youth converted to elderly architecture was rather better looking than the average for this type.

I passed houses on my left and curved right, now seeing U. S. 20 ahead. On my right at 28 I observed an older one and a half story home; opposite it was a nice white two and half story residence with black shutters.

This area is Weston Center on the Universal map (USGS calls it just Weston), and I reached the locus of that locality as I now crossed State Road By-Pass (a short southern alternate to the famous Boston Poston Post Road). Long ago, I had done a long stretch of U.S. 20 passing through here.

I was still repeating another earlier walk as I continued north on School, seeing trees left and right. Then on the right I saw two older houses. At the left corner of Boston Post Road, I remembered a brick building. Across was the First Parish Church (Unitarian-Universalist), in a somewhat eccentric-looking stone building, with a clock and weathervane on top.

I turned left onto Boston Post Road, examining the building now to my left. As before, I that I assumed it was some kind of municipal structure but could detect no explanatory signage. Past it was the Edward Josiah Smith Tavern and Barn, dating to 1737, an attractive white structure.

Over two years later I found the name of this building at Park Street Station! As I am wont to do, I was looking through the new crop of schedules and found that the MBTA had put out (this does not seem to regularly happen) schedules of subsidized bus lines as well as its own. I was positively thrilled to find that the Cavalier Coach Corporation, under MBTA subsidy, is now running a bus from Boston to Northborough along Route 20 in the morning! This stops at Weston at "the Old Public Library next to Josiah Smith Tavern". There is even service from various points from Northborough to Boston in the evening. I hope Cavalier maintains these operations at least till I can make use of them.

To the right, across a common was the Weston Town Hall. The sun was out now and I felt warm. I reached Church Street and went north on it, still on a repeat course.

A sign on a telephone pole indicated there was a "Bike Tour" in the direction that I was going, and two cyclists, on in each direction, in fact passed me here. I was at the two-hour mark.

Passing the Town Hall, which perhaps replaced an older structure, as it is on Town House Road (according to Universal - Arrow has Townhouse Road), I bore left, going north on Conant Road.   I mistakenly thought that I was still repeating, but on the now forgotten prior occasion that I was here I followed Church to Kendal Green.

Indistinctly recollecting a couple of walks through Weston, I noted Weston Station hereabouts on the Arrow map and wondered as to its exact location. The term does not appear on the Arrow atlas; my Arrow West Suburban map labels it east of Church Street, as does the USGS map.  Based on the MapQuest location, I evidently was now in this "railroad" locality, which I have previously collected..

On the right side of Conant, numbered 3, was a large two-story white home with black shutter. On the left, at 6, I saw a large two and a half story white home with green shutters, a porch, and three chimneys on the roof.

I went uphill, going to the right for a sidewalk; there was a stone wall between it and the road. I saw fine homes on both sides of the street. On my right I passed some metal sculptures on a lawn (a rather "cool" sight, I thought), just before Gowell Lane (a dead-end street).

Reaching the top of the hill, I found on my right the Benjamin Parker house, built circa 1839. I went down now, passing Woodward Lane on the other side, a dead-end road looking like a driveway. A kid on a bicycle said "Hello," and I wished him a "Good morning".

From USGS, I deduce that I was on Pigeon Hill (one of seven so named summits in Massachusetts) here. I now crossed over a railroad track and under a power line. This abandoned line will be part of a further walk, if I can ever figure out how to get to it.

Weston Station does not appear in Robert Dale Karr's Lost Railroads of New England nor in his The Rail Lines of Southern New England. However, these show the course of this line, which connected Boston with Northampton. The latter book lists (but does not show) stations at Weston and at Cherry Brook. (The latter is listed in GNIS as a stream, but not as a populated place.)  These are actually indicated as "T" stations in my 1996 Universal atlas - through what flight of fancy or failed forecast I cannot imagine! The former is shown as Weston Station, about where the Arrow map labels that locality.

More particularly in the latter book, Karr describes the history of the Massachusetts Central (also known as the Central Massachusetts) Railroad, the third (after the Boston & Albany and the Fitchburg) railroad to run westward from Boston.  (Actually, the final stop eastward as shown on Karr's illustration was North Cambridge Junction.)

Weston was on the Fitchburg line, with passenger service now operated by the MBTA. Three stations are in the northern part of Weston: Kendal Green, Hastings and Silver Hill. I have used the first to start and end walks; the latter two have inbound stops only in the morning and outbound stops only in the evening and so do not suit my walking purposes.

Karr relates that the Massachusetts Central ceased operations in 1884. Then the Boston & Lowell took over the line and resume service in 1885. In the next year, the Boston & Maine leased the Boston & Lowell and extended the Central Massachusetts line to Northampton. When the Boston & Maine acquired the Fitchburg railroad in 1900, however, this route lost its importance. Gradually passenger service was reduced, from west to east, to speak. In 1958 Hudson became the last stop; in 1965, South Sudbury became the western terminus. In 1971, when there was left only one round trip made by one Budd car, passenger service completely ended. As of the date of Karr's Rail Lines of New England (1995), he reports one tiny remnant of this once one hundred mile line, in Ware, servicing a paper mill.

Unaware of all this history, I continued north on Conant, following an S-shaped curve. On both sides of the road were houses in the woods. Then it seemed to be undeveloped, with a fence on the left side for a while and trees only visible to the right. Wetlands became visible on the left. It seemed to me (as I subsequently figured to be correct) that I had in fact not done this stretch of Conant, my game plan being based on fairly dim recollections of long ago walks.

Still seeing trees on the right, I now encountered large attractive two-story brown house on my left. It had white shutters and two chimneys. I followed a left curve and went uphill. On the right was passed Pigeon Hill Road.

At 100 I saw an older white home, with a detached two-door garage. Next, I went left on Colchester Road, a turn set in my game plan to avoid repetition ahead from a prior walk (North from Waltham). On both sides of this street could be viewed large residences with many trees.

At 15, a gray 2-story home, a Boyle and Sons crew and lawn sprinklers were in evidence. At 26 and 27, a right curve began.

After 32, I saw wetlands on the left, with houses continuing on the opposite side. At 50 came a left curve. It seemed to me that Hamilton Road, where I was to turn, should have appeared by now; and I wondered if I had somehow missed it.

You might not think that someone who was taking notes could fail to notice an intersection, but this does seem to happen.  In this case, the answer may be that Hamilton Road does not physically exist: It is shown on the Arrow map but it does not appear on their (1998) atlas and appears on the Universal atlas dashed.  I cannot find it on the Internet map servers.

At 66, on my right, the Upham Lawn and Landscaping Company was at work. I came to a T-intersection and went right (north), not catching a street name, but correctly suspecting it to be Laurel Road.  (Despite not being shown extending south to Colchester on my Arrow map, the Arrow and Universal atlases show these streets connecting. Universal also denotes the road to my left here as Laurel Road Extension, a cul-de-sac.)

Here I saw huge, newer homes. At 57 was a brick residence; I puzzled at the color, guessing it might be beige. Continuing north, I then beheld relatively older houses.

At 36 was a yellow older one and a half story residence. I passed a road on my right (this was Sears Road); a sign here told me that I was on Laurel.

A car with two older ladies now stopped, and one of them asked me if I was looking for them, as they were just going out. I explained that I was just out walking.

At 15 a mailbox read "Spenway Farm" and a sign offered "Early Fall Prime Firewood". But all I could see was a ranch home. Ahead I saw the end of Laurel; reaching this, I went left, checking my map and determining that this must be Sunset Road.

Across, at 29, I saw a two-story brick home on a hill, with a nice-looking lawn. I followed a left curve, and saw a new home at 33. A truck of the R. J. Deverier Construction Company (of Boston) was here.

Ahead I could see the road going up, then down, and then bearing left. I passed attractive homes on both sides and exchanged "mornings" with a woman jogger.

I came to a hillcrest at 71, a very attractive two-story home. At 90, another good-looking home, built of stone and wood, Sunset curve right and went downhill. Here I found many patches of tar in the road.

At 97 was a two-story white home, with black shutters. It had a 2-door barn-garage and two chimneys on the roof. Now I saw Merriam Street ahead of me; at this, I made a right turn, again making a northward course.

There were houses on the right side of Merriam, while on the left was woods behind an old stone wall. On a tree I noted a sign with a W and a green tree, indicating Weston conservation land, I suppose.

Going uphill, I went by Aberdeen Road, marked as a private way (that goes through to Conant) to my right. Now there were homes on both sides of Merriam. At 111 I noted an attractive 2-story residence on a hill. I followed a right curve and went downward.

On the left side, number 114, was a nice-looking one and a half story home for sale. A sign indicated that 8 Foxchase Lane, a dirt road on the right, was for sale. Somewhat further on the right was Bakers Hill Road. (Is this a place name?)

Encountering a gentle left curve, I went uphill again. On the left I saw woods that might have been on the grounds of the home numbered 140. I crossed a brook, repelling an attack by insects.

I continued uphill, curving leftward. By now I was feeling somewhat hungry; because time was not a factor on this walk, I could eat anytime I wanted to. An opportunity to do so did not seem likely for some time, however.

Still going upward, I encountered Cherry Brook Road, denoted by an old metal sign, on the left. I supposed that must be the name of the stream that I passed; the Arrow atlas (it is not on the map) confirms this. Ahead, I could see rolling "mini-hills".

At 181 on the right was a very pretty yellow home with green shutters. It had two and a half stories and a stone porch. A street sign correctly described Merriam as a "Winding Road" just before 189, where an old white on green sign identified the owner as "W. Patey".

On my left I observed at 198 a nice brown two and a half story home, with yellow trim and a stone porch. Then I saw some wetlands. I reached an intersection with Westland Road (I was not aware at this time, but this leads to the offices of Clausen Associates, an estimable management consulting firm) on the left and Bemis Street (at which was a barking dog) on the right; past this, Merriam curved right. I was now, if I had not already been, in that area of Weston known as Silver Hill.

Reaching a crest at 211-213, I followed a sharp left curve. Merriam inclined gently uphill here. At 222 was an older white home, the Hardy residence.

Willard Road came on the right; on the corner here, at 227, was very attractive yellow two and a half story residence, with green trim. Off to the left I saw two crows that seemed to be fighting.

To the left at 230 was a yellow two and a half story home with green trim; it had a detached two-door garage. The home across the street, number 231, was for sale; here were two septic trucks, one from E. A. Comeau Septic and one from Raggs Septic, Inc. (I thought that there must really be a serious problem if two different companies had to be called in, but later I discovered from the Yellow Pages that these are actual under the same ownership.)

I pursued a right curve, then a left. I hear from the left the sounds of crows and, I thought, other birds. It was hot now, and I was thirsty. On the right, at 255 was an older white two-story home, with a porch and a garage that perhaps was once a barn. Further on that side I noted Kenora Landscaping at work.

Merriam curved left at Hallet Hill Road on the right. (If there is a summit of that name, GNIS doesn't know about it.)  At this point I realized that I was making a repeat of a previous walk North from Kendall Green. Following a right curve at 271, I saw a bridge ahead, remembering that the Silver Hill MBTA station was here.

I passed Silver Hill Road to the left and exchange greetings with a woman. Passing over the bridge and checking the view east and west, I saw the T "station" (actually just a shack) on the right, down a dirt road. The other time I was here there were vehicles parked, but there were none now.

I consulted my map to check my course, saying hello to a woman and boy going by. Continuing north, I saw an addition or garage being built to the home at 300 by V W Builders, Inc.

Granison Road (a short circle) went by on the right, and I then saw brief stretches of wetlands on both sides. Once again I greeted a woman, this one a jogger. I went over a stream, identified by the Arrow atlas as Stony Brook; this becomes a reservoir further south on the Weston-Waltham border.

Now there were houses again, beginning on the left at 318 and on the right at 321, as my course went uphill. I could see a stop sign ahead, which had to be at Route 117 (North Avenue). Coming to this intersection, I continued north on Lincoln Avenue.

Just at this passed North Avenue on the right, however, I noticed an Old Country Road on the right. This was not on my map, which seemed odd since the name was not what I would expect for a new street, nor did the road look as if recently built. Knowing that I was on a repeat course, I was tempted to take it, since under my rules new routes are to be taken whenever possible. Still, it did not seem wise to take a road if I did not know where it went; so I stayed with the game plan, having spent a few minutes in vainly trying to determine whether I or the Arrow Map Company was screwed up.

Actually, the answer might be both. I may have misread the sign, perhaps being confused by the fact that there is an Old Country Road in Lincoln. The Arrow atlas (1998) does show an Old North Avenue here; it circles back to the main road. If this is what I saw, it was indeed just as well I did not take it, as it just circles east to North Avenue. This street is not on the Universal atlas (1996), which does show Bayberry Lane off North Avenue to the east here; Arrow has Bayberry as a side street off Old North Avenue.

Past this narrow street (whose name is omitted on my map) north, I went uphill. Opposite the home numbered 18 was a "private way". I pursued a left curve, noting that I had no recollection of the area, though sure that I had been here before. A look at my watch showed me that I had been walking three and a quarter hours.

Seeing a sidewalk to the right, I crossed to that side. A change in the pavement and a sign "Warning – Minimum Salt Used in Lincoln" told me that I was in my third municipality of the day. In conformity with a New England tradition that the main way to the next town bears the name of that place, the street had now become Weston Road.

The article on Lincoln in the afore-cited History of Middlesex County (written by William F. Wheeler) states that this town was incorporated on April 19, 1754. It was made up of parts from Watertown, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington and Weston. Revolutionary soldiers settled there after the war.

This source reports that Lincoln consists of 8000 acres. Rather small in size, its greatest length, in the northeast to southwest direction is five miles and its greatest width, east to west, is 3.5 miles.

The author praises Lincoln for its "little lakelets" and "lovely hills". But he adds that, "Brooks arise in and flow out of the town, but not a tubful of water comes into the town than any source save the rains and dews of heaven."

Opposite the house at 186 Weston, I saw on the left a trail on land preserved by the Lincoln Land Conservation. These woods continued on that side, with homes on the other.

It was now more than to turn east now, to follow my "three-cornered" plan, assuming a three hour north, one east, and three south pattern. However, I had not gone as far north as I had - I should say hoped, rather than planned, since my usual overoptimism had suggested that I would be in Bedford by this time. The territory directly to the east here was heavily covered in previous walks. So I decided to continue further north; the "descent" back south could, I thought, be cut to two hours or less and still leave me somewhere in, say, Lexington, where I could end on an MBTA bus route. Reading the map, I made a rough plan to this effect

I followed S-curves on Weston and heard what sounded like a rooster on my left; then flies attacked me. As I came to Moccasin Hill Road (if there is such a hill, it is unknown as a place name to GNIS, nor can I find a trace of it on the Internet), on my right, Weston made a sharp left curve. Still fighting flies while trying to read my map, I curved left, went uphill, curved back right, the battle with the insects continuing all the while.

Next, I went down and made a left curve. On the left side were a house and a barn; chicken clucks seemed to be emanating from the latter. Then I saw a field on the left, as I followed an S-shaped curve.

On my right uphill was a large home for sale. Then on that side I observed a horse and a horse shed, numbered 148, with an electric fence.

On the left I passed the home of the Langholms, experiencing another attack of flies. Now there were homes, set back in the woods, on both sides of the street. I reached a crest at 132, a white home with shrubs belonging to the Bradleys.

The road curved right, and I had scenic view of a field to my right, with trees in the background. On the other side I saw a short patch of wetlands and then the driveway, running upward with a lawn on the left side, to 123 Weston.

Now to my right I could see, across the field, a house on top of a hill. (Probably this was on Conant Road.) I fought off flies again. Sounds reached me of birds and of an airplane.

I passed Woodcock Lane on the left. Down this, on the corner lot, was an odd-looking one story home with what appeared to be a greenhouse. I was struck again by the fact that I could not remember any of these sights from my previous walk.

I came to Conant Road on the right (unsuitable for my projected turn, as it runs to south to roads previously walked). Now there were fields left and right. I saw on the opposite side a greenhouse and gardens, noting corn and sunflowers. I could hear the voices of unseen children, and I noted a man working in the garden.

A woman with a child in a stroller passed by on my side, and we swapped "hi"s. At 97 I noted a one-story contemporary style home. On the right a sign told me that the field was Lincoln Conservation Land. On the other side was a field behind an old stone wall.

Now I passed large estates left and right. I came to Silver Hill Road, noting on the right a large former farm; geese and a crow were in the field. Though once again I had no memory of this sight, I nonetheless knew that I had been here before. Indeed, I continued my course by going left with Weston Road and further repeating, since taking Silver Hill (though itself unwalked) would have led to even more repetition.

On the right I had a scenic view of a field; to the left, at 81, I saw a nice-looking brown house up a hill with rocks on it. I continued as the road made an uphill rolling passage. While the surroundings were pleasant, it was now 11:00AM and I was hungry. Not expecting to run into any food establishments for some while, I took a small oatmeal reason Power Bar out of my pack and ate it.

A female jogger went by. I reached a hillcrest, at which was an attractive old yellow two and a half story home with black shutters. To the left I noticed a stone wall running perpendicular to the street; past this was a lawn that was once farmland.

I followed a right curve. Both sides of the street now were lined with stone walls. Reviewing my route plan, I realized I would be passing through the center of Lincoln. Now that I consumed something, eating was now ruled out; but I might get a beverage there.

Then Weston curved left, and there were wetlands on the left. Coming upon a trail there, I went down it, past the remains of a gate, in quest of a place for a comfort stop. Finding a tree suitable for my purpose, I took advantage of its shelter and then returned to the road.

Proceeding northward, I went uphill to a crest. There were houses again, beginning at 39 to my left and 48 to my right. I went downward and bore right, feeling very thirsty.

Next came more wetlands to the left; on the other side was either a field or wetlands, I was not sure which. I could see a street ahead now.

On the right I saw a gray home. To the left I passed a field of flowers, in which was a man with a wheelbarrow. Beyond it was a large yellow two and a half story home, with white trim. There was a crow on the lawn, and two dogs were here, one rushing to greet a man who was coming into the driveway on a bicycle. The residence proved to be the Pierce House, "Gift of John H. Pierce".

Across I noted a very good-looking old colonial at 22. Cream-colored, it had black shutters. It seemed to me a former farmhouse, and this was confirmed as I then saw some agricultural structures behind it.

Further on that side, at 12, was a white two and a half story colonial with a detached garage. A sign read "Golden Retriever Crossing".

Now on the left was a large field; my map told me this was Pierce Park. (This and Pierce House are maintained by the Town of Lincoln.) Some trash barrels were in it. Nearing the intersection, I could no observe no commercial establishments, which are indeed a comparative rarity in Lincoln.

To the right, on the corner lot, stood a large old white colonial, with black shutters. I crossed Lincoln Road on my left at this intersection, the so-called Five Corners. (The GNIS has six Massachusetts entries with this place name, but it does not recognize the Lincoln one. One might also expect this to be called Lincoln Center, but no such term appears to be in use.)

On the other side was Trapelo Road. I once walked the length of this, beginning at Waverley, going as far west at the Baker Bridge area and then returning to Waltham. This was in the earlier days of my walking, when four hours was about average. I have also gone west through this intersection, following Lincoln Road into South Lincoln. I cannot remember the start or end of that walk, though it was much after the once just cited.

Erroneously, I began walking down Sandy Pond Road (I took this from Trapelo before). Then, realizing my error, I went back and head onto Bedford Road (new territory, I think), passing a street island with a flower pot.

Headed north now, I saw on my right a brick building that I remembered: the town library. This is actually an old building with a modern addition. To the left was the First Parish in Lincoln, a white wood structure with a weather vane on top. This is a merged Unitarian-Congregational church, apparently a reunion of the historic split that resulted in many New England towns having centers with two white church buildings instead of one.

I went uphill, bearing left. To my left was an old smaller white two and a half story home. At first I thought this was the parish house, but then realized I was misinterpreting a sign I had seen on the church. On the right I passed Old Lexington Road, a kind of bypass. On its left side was an old cemetery (or at least some tombs); on its right, an old farmhouse.

To the left, back from the street, was a playground, with a play device of "railroad" ties. This was behind the actual parish house, numbered 16, itself once a church. On the other side was Bemis Hall, housing the Lincoln Council on Aging. This was an attractive two and a half-story building, that struck me as imitation Bulfinch.

Going uphill now, I curved left. To the right, at 19, was a very good looking two and a half story home, with two porches, one on the first story and one on the second. A sign indicated that Lincoln Tree and Landscaping had been at work; they had done, I thought, a very good job.

On the left side I observed a very old two-story white colonial, with five chimneys; it had black shutters. This was the Russell Home, and it abutted Canaan Drive, a private way (shown as a dead end street on the Arrow and Universal atlases, the latter having it dashed and omitting its name).

What appeared to be a former orchard (on the grounds of the home numbered 24) was passed on my left. Further on that side, at 34, was a large white three-story residence, with black shutters, on which renovations were in process.

Now I noticed that there was a sidewalk on Bedford, set back from the road, with a stone wall between. I was very thirsty and had begun to sweat in the warm sun.

To my right I saw an attractive old home at 37. On the left were apple trees, with a house behind them. Then on the right, at 41 came a two-story former farmhouse, in yellow with black shutters.

My course went downhill, as I continued to feel the heat. There were houses on both sides now. I pursued a gentle S-curve and encountered Hilliard Road, a private way, on the right. From I could smell tar, and a passing car actually blew a piece of this up that hit me.

I followed the meandering sidewalk, still going downward. At 58 was a large estate that I could not see due to stone walls by the road. A check of my watch revealed that I had done four and a quarter hours.

On the left I viewed a former farm field, now an enclosure with a wooden fence for horses, though none were apparent. This was part of the grounds of the house numbered 62.

Some black flies harassed me. I passed Wheeler Road (like Hilliard, a dead-end) on the right; opposite on my side was a town of Lincoln trail.

Woods continued on the left; then the houses on the right were succeeded by woods also. I went uphill, now observing houses back behind the trees. Bedford curve left just before 82.

At 100 on the left was a house that I could not see, only the garage. It seemed clear now that, due to having to continue northward so long, the walk would probably be closer to eight than to seven hours.

I now came to Route 2, here denoted as the Cambridge Turnpike. I have encountered this route many times and was rather wary of what I would encounter this time. A few previous crossings in areas not far from here had involved rather risky climbing over median barriers, and I had vowed not to make any such endeavors again. But the maps showed Bedford Road crossing at this intersection, and not only did this prove to be the case, but the highway actually seemed walkable here. (In fact, in one of my earlier long walks I actually did a section of Route 2 from Concord west to Acton; it was under construction at that time and I suspect that pedestrianism may be prohibited there now - if it wasn't already then.)

On the left, near side of this intersection I found Tracey's Towing Company and Service Station. This business was under some kind of revision, as the property had been turned into a construction side. I walked through the lot, filled with tow trucks, and looked up and down the highway for some place to get a drink. Then I noticed what I was seeking in the form of a soda machine in front of the closed station. From this I got a Barq Root Beer and sat down in front to drink it, wiping sun tan lotion from my left eye.

At this point, a man - I supposed he might be the construction superintendent - came up to me and told me I could not stay there. Since (I thought) I was doing absolutely no harm nor was I in any kind of danger, I felt more than a little put off by this failure to show hospitality to travelers. Later, I reflected that my attitude was just another example of that basic unreasonableness of human nature that chafes at anything that interferes with what one wants.

As it was, I went off a little bit to my left and finished my drink while sitting near a house. Seeing me, a friendly black puppy came over and played with me a while. Then it deserted me to check out a man in a car, who had driven in and then got a soda.

Whether this new visitor was chased out like myself, I know not; for I had by then finished my drink and crossed the street, continuing north with Bedford, through a kind of half cloverleaf. I was surprised to see on the right side a sign for an MBTA bus stop. I had not thought that there was such service in Lincoln, but I supposed that that the route to Hanscom Field must go this way.

That bus is MBTA Route 76, but I see from their map that it does not go here at all, nor does any of their routes. So I am all the more perplexed by that sign. Can any reader solve this mystery?

I pursued my way on the left side of Bedford, on a new asphalt sidewalk. There were houses on both sides; compared to those I had seen earlier in Lincoln (and, as I have experienced, throughout that town), these were relatively smaller. Antique residences were missing, though none along here were brand new.

Looking at my watch, I noted that I had now done four and a half hours (adjusting, as always, for the time spent stopping for a drink). As I continued on Bedford, I noticed more cyclists. I was still somewhat hungry, hoping that the chance for a snack would arise.

Past 172, I saw a dried up brook with a little wooden bridge over it. I could not determine whether the stream (evidently too small to be on my map) was present on the other side of the street. Once again, I fended off flies.

I followed a left curve and now saw Route 2A ahead. I have walked this section of that route on ending in Acton journey previously cited. That actually began in Lexington, from which I followed Massachusetts Avenue westward to its end in Lincoln, having done that road earlier from Arlington to Lexington. Subsequently, I completed the traversal of this very long - at least by Massachusetts standards - road to its southern end in Edward Everett Square.

On the right I espied a sign indicating that the land was part of the Minute Man National Park; my map showed me that this territory is in fact on both sides of the street here. Then I crossed 2A (here North Great Road).

At this point, my plan was to take Virginia Road to Old Bedford Road; I would follow the latter east to Airport Road, where I would begin my southward course. Onto what presumably (no street sign providing this information) was Virginia I went. A notice "Road Closed" obvious applied to vehicles, not walkers. Also along here were signs reading "Along the Battlefield Road".

Now ahead was the William Smith House. There was construction going on in the Park, and in front of this were piles of tree trunks and other debris; trucks were dumping more stuff here, and there was an Atlantic dumpster.

Following my plan, I continued northwest on Virginia, on which there were stone wall left and right; these seemed to be new but perhaps made imitation of the old style or perhaps rebuilt from earlier ones. All along were dirt and gravel and signs of construction.

To the right I saw field ahead. Then, past it, I came to the Samuel Hartwell House. Hartwell, Park Service signage informed me, was a Minute Man. His home, by then a restaurant, has burned in 1968; the Service had build a protective structure over its frame.

A brochure of the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau entitled "Lexington and Concord" says that the Hartwell Tavern is open daily from May to October. One can, it says, "meet costumed interpreters and watch historical crafts demonstrations" here.

Black flies again annoyed me. On my right I saw a field, now gone to weeds, and apparently the remains of old stone walls. On the other side were observed fields with rock piles; some construction apparatus was working in the background.

Then I reached an intersection with what was more of a trail than road. Could this be Old Bedford Road, I wondered. Then I saw a sign "Bedford Lane". No such thing was on my map. (Like the MBTA sign mentioned earlier, this one is another mystery  from this walk.) Since it seemed less probable that the map was in error than that it had omitted a minor passage, I decided to go straight. 

Past this crossing on the right was the Ephraim Haskell Tavern, a very attractive old building. Haskell was, I learned from the Park Service, a Concord selectman who had received a license for this business when the original road was built. Just as now, I thought, political connections bring in dollars!

Passing stone walls on both sides, I now realized I was leaving the Park as I observed a house on the left. I saw another home, numbered 47, on the other side. My Arrow map didn't even show the area here as part of the Park. Perhaps there was an expansion, as the Arrow atlas shows it continuing west all the way into the Merriams Corner section of Concord. Had I remembered the atlas information from my pre-walk study, I might have realized that being out of the Park implied that I had missed my intended turn. (Unrealistic as the idea was, considering that I had planned on going only three hours north, I had thought that I might reach this area.)

Next I saw undeveloped land on the left; at 54 was an abandoned home. The right side was vacant land here. On that side I then found a stone pillar. On a tree a notice read "No Hunting and Trapping Allowed." Here there was a trail; the direction, I thought, was right for Old Bedford Road and sometimes the streets on maps are indeed trails. But I was far from convinced; so, in the absence of a sign, I decided to continue straight. It felt to me that something had gone wrong; if so, I reasoned, I would presumably continue into Concord and make still another plan once I found out where I was.

I inspected my map again to see if it could provide any help. This time I noted that there was indeed a Bedford Lane on it. It was shown running from North Great Road to Bedford Road, but possibly there was an undepicted extension to Virginia Road, which would have corresponded to the place where I had seen that sign. If Old Bedford Road were a trail, I reasoned, I should to go toward my right (i.e., east) to reach it.

As whatever "road" I was on curve left, a trail appeared to my right. Completely rejecting the reasoning that I had just made, I optimistically but illogically assumed it might be Old Bedford Road and decided to take it. This led met into the woods, and I could see a sand and gravel pile ahead.

Now to my left I came to sign denoting the Battlefield Road Trail, but another revealed that this was closed and warned of danger due to construction. (I can find no information about such a trail on the Internet, although there is a bike tour that might actually go on it.) Continuing through the pile I had seen, I realized that I could not have been on Old Bedford but hoped that wherever I was going I might find it.

I then discovered a trail that took me to a parking lot. I saw another such lot to my left, but judged that the one I was one was to the east.  (This must have been still another case of my having no sense of direction!) Some flies harassed me here.

To the right, on a tree, I noticed a U. S. boundary marker. This I supposed, marked the edge of the Park. Iit was tempting to suppose that heading back into the park meant I that I was indeed going in an eastward direction.

The parking lot, I now saw, fringed a large building marked "Lincoln North". It now occurred to me where I must be: near Hanscom Field! To the right I now observed housing; I even thought it resembled residences for military personnel that I had seen near on a previous walk. At first, I decided to head in the that direction to take the street that these homes were on; but then I noticed another street ahead of me and made my way toward it. As I went further through the parking lot, people appeared to be looking at me; but, as usual in such situations, I just tried to walk quickly as if I knew what I was doing.

I began to imagine that the street that I head for was Route 2A. Coming to it, and finding a stone pillar with the number 55 and the notation Lincoln North, I then decided that could not be the case. Maybe I was at Airport Access Road. On that assumption, I went left, thinking that would take me north to Old Bedford Road. (Year later, I would discover in finding hyperlinks for this page, that Lincoln North is 55 Old Bedford Road.)

The large Lincoln North complex was now on my left, with undeveloped land on the right. I followed a sharp right curve. (The fact that there is no such curve on the street that I thought I was on perhaps could have told me that I had made a mistake, but I suppose I am not the only one that clings to a locational belief in spite of contrary, so hard is it for the human mind to admit error.)

Now I saw a trail to the left. Two Park Service vehicles were parked here, but no rangers were apparent. I hopefully supposed I was now on Old Bedford, making up a new false theory that the turn I had made was somehow the T-intersection with that road. At the curve was an old house; staring at its mailbox, I saw the number 82, but unfortunately no street name.

To my left I next saw undeveloped land, presumably once farmed, behind a stone wall. On the right I passed a house at 83 of this still unknown to me road. Then there were woods on both sides. I had now completed five and a quarter hours.

Ahead of me I then saw - "military industrial complex" was the phrase that came to mind. Some people were walking along the left side of the road further on. It finally dawned on me that I must be north, not south, of Hanscom. Where exactly I was I still did not know, perhaps because of some subconscious tendency to hold onto beliefs even though they have been shown to be false, in this case my vain hope that I had reached the course of my game plan preventing me from realizing my actual location.

On the right came an Exxon sign, and I saw runways, a tower and some airplanes. Opposite was a grassy field, making a scenic view. Then I saw a sign telling me that the MIT Lincoln Lab Flight Facility was "straight ahead". This brought back memories.

My father, after he retired from the Coast Guard, was employed by Lincoln Lab at its South Dartmouth location. Finding the commute from Braintree to there too much to take and his application for a transfer to Lincoln being denied, he left that job after some years and went to work for the Post Office at South Postal Annex.

Later, I graduated from MIT myself. And still later, I was arrested somewhere around here in the largest (in numbers of arrested people) protest against the Vietnam War, while trying to hand out leaflets (in theory - actually, we were just sitting on the road) protesting Lincoln Lab's work on the "electronic battlefield". My recollection was that this was at the Lexington-Lincoln border; the police (who impressed me as quite well behaved, which I supposed was consistent from these liberal - and well-paying - towns) took us, however, to the "Concord Barn" (a public works facility) before our arraignment. I remember that the sandwiches that we were served while standing around here (so I've never actually been in jail) for some hours were not very good.

A sign on my right warned of "Low Flying Aircraft" (a first on my walks!), and I then reached the MIT building. To the left was a large office complex, identified as Concord Park, with the address 696 Virginia Road. It was no longer possible to doubt where I was. (How I got there is still not clear. Evidently I wandered off Virginia Road, going north into Old Bedford Road, on which I went west, then turning north onto Virginia again. But why I did not meet up with a junction of Old Bedford and Virginia, as shown on the maps, is one more mystery.)

Going east and then south was no longer possible (without, that is, turning back and retracing my route - a forbidden process) . In fact, as I saw on the map, I was now headed west. My previous idea that I would have to end the walk in Concord was now reality; in fact, I was in Concord already, having without knowing it left Lincoln and missing the planned course into Bedford.

Concord is of course a very historic town. It was the home of Henry David Thoreau, another war protester, as well as Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson. I found it to be fairly "wide" when I first walked through it (on the Lexington to Acton trip earlier cited); and, with an area of 24.9 square miles, it is relatively large for Massachusetts towns, most of which are small sized. Its population is comparatively small, about 17,500.

"Just in case" I had with me the MBTA Commuter Rail schedule for the Fitchburg-South Action line. Consulting this I found that there were trains from Concord to Boston at 1:51 and 3:49. The former was doubtless impossible; the latter, I thought, would probably mean filling up some time wandering in Concord, with the walk lasting eight hours.

Continuing, I saw dirt pile and a sign "Land Available" on my left. My supposition that residential construction was coming was quickly confirmed by another sign reading "Concord Homes". The other side was still commercial, however. I passed Gate 8 and then large "R&D" type building, housing Sybase and Welch's.

Now there were woods on the left. Going uphill, I went by a dead squirrel, obviously killed by a vehicle that day. I could see another building ahead.

Reaching the top of the hill, I saw some joggers. On the left was a large building that appeared to be new but designed to look old. This was One Concord Farms, and it contained offices for PreVision Marketing, the American Institutes for Research, and Spaulding and Company, Inc.

To the right, at 477, I noted a very old yellow colonial home; though its paint was peeling, it was still good looking. There were cars parked on that side of the street. I followed an S-curve, observing vegetation that I can only describe as "purple swamp plants".

I came to a bridge through this swamp, seeing many more of these plants and feeling irritated because I had no idea what they were. (My schooling seems to have quite neglected botany.) Looking again at the map, I decided I would probably continue on to West Concord, estimating that I would arrive there around 3:30; the train was to arrive there at 3:45.

This bridge presumably crossed a brook shown on the Arrow map as a tributary of Elm Brook. The latter joins the Shawsheen River in Bedford.

I enjoyed a vista to the left, with a hill in the background. Both sides of the road continued to be swampland for some while. Then, ahead, I noticed a sign "Children" - a sure indication of residential territory coming.

On the left I saw a gate; if this was to entrance to a trail, it had been overgrown by vegetation. Then on the other side I observed an old abandoned house. This proved to be a part of a joint Concord and State of Massachusetts conservation project. Behind was an old barn. I used this as cover to make a comfort stop, watching planes land at Hanscom in the process.

Back westward on Virginia, I found houses on the left, beginning at 328, while the right side was undeveloped. Then, at 295, came a house on that side, too.

I passed Quail Run Drive to my left, a dead-end street not on my map (but on the Arrow and Universal atlases). On it I saw clusters of ugly contemporary colonials. The right side of Virginia was now vacant land again.

Reaching another crest, I found an old red home, with white trim at 215, presumably once the seat of a farm. I went downhill, now seeing houses on both sides of the street. Then the road curved left, left again, and then right, with both sides vacant.

Now, starting at 131, there were houses (looking 1960s vintage) on the right. On the left I passed a former farm, with rusted agricultural equipment. An "Equestrian Crossing" sign was on the opposite side.

At 74, Virginia curved left, with the homes getting denser. I went by Phillip Farm Lane to the left; opposite was a strange-looking stucco home with a garage. Then I came to the end of the street at Old Bedford Road; it seemed ironic to encounter a second one of these after I had failed to find the first!

Pursuant to my latest plan, I turned right (north) here. (Had I estimated my time more accurately, I might have gone south, as leading to less repetition.) To the left was a scenic view of former agricultural land. Looking back at Virginia Road, I noticed on its street sign the information "1691 to Lincoln's Virginia section, bordering Cambridge farmland." I made a note to add this to my database of extinct place names.

Old Bedford had here been torn up for repaving. On the left, at 277, I saw an attractive old gray two and a half story home. Then there were houses on left and right.

Dalton Road was encountered on the left. It was now 1:30  - so the 1:30 train, I noted, was officially not an option. I had done six hours and had slowed down considerably in the heat.

I read a "Stop Ahead" sign. A woman motorist, looking for Route 2A and Lexington, stopped, and I gave her directions. I saw a Cleghorn Oil Company truck on the left, with the driver talking on the phone. Also on the left I saw a sign "Pine Tree Farm" on a garage.

Now I came to Bedford Street. I thought that this was my second "street name repeat" of the day, forgetting that the one in Lincoln is Bedford Road. This is Route 62 here. I have traversed that highway from its eastern end in Beverly as far west as Maynard, from which I hope to continue it some day.

In fact, as I turned left here, I knew that I was actually making a double repeat, having also followed 62 to the Concord T Station on a walk that began at Alewife Station and followed the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway to its end in Bedford. From there I had pursued a trail into Concord and the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, coming out of this onto Bedford Street via Monsen Road, which I would see again on my present course just a little ahead. Despite my rule against doing the same course again (which I do consider of lesser importance when on the end stretch of a walk), there was no practical alternative to this way west. In addition, it has been some years so the monotony factor would not be that great; and (a relatively new factor) at least it was not, I noted, an "Internet repeat".

As I remembered, there were rather nice homes here, both left and right. On the right side (opposite to me), I noticed a farm stand selling peaches; old yellow farm building were apparent. Across from 680 on the left was Monsen Road, with a sign for the Refuge.

I now crossed to the right, to have use of a sidewalk. I came to an intersection with Ash Street on the left and Garrison Road on the right. On the latter (a cul-de-sac not on my Arrow map, but on its and the Universal atlas - the latter, however, having it incorrectly west of Ash), could be seen three new houses.

My progress was very slow. I passed Prescott Road on the right. (Once again, it seems that Universal locates this too far west.) At 595, the sidewalk ended, but one appeared again on the other side past Birch Street, directly opposite. So I changed sides of the street again.

On the left now, I saw on that side a sign for the Octagon Farm. Here was an odd brown home, with a detached garage - interesting-looking, but not octagonal. (I have, however, encountered at least one octagonal home on my walks. This housing style had a vogue in the United States in the 1850's.)

Now on that side came Saint Bernard's Catholic Cemetery. I reflected that I did not need the denomination specified in the name to tell what kind it was, as the surnames and crosses on the graves were sufficient indicators. On the other side here was some undeveloped wetlands.

Passing houses left and right, I came to Greenfield Lane, a private way, on the left. (Missing on my map and on the Universal atlas, this is shown on the Arrow Atlas, curving into Nancy Road.) Then came Nancy Road on that side; across on the right was an older blue two-story cape home.

Further on the left was Powers Road. On the other side, I saw sign for Asparagus Farm, which I remembered from before. There didn't actually seem to be any cultivation, a barn evidently having been turned into a garage. Still, seeing something growing, I crossed the road, intrigued by the idea that it might be asparagus. Crawling up a bit and gazing at the plants, I decided, despite my "citified ignorance," that they could not be that vegetable but rather were weeds.

Back on the left, I saw on that side, another older barn-garage, belonging to a rather attractive gray house, with white trim, numbered 350. At 342-340 was a duplex colonial for sale. (Later I would see another such home, an unexpected sight in ritzy Concord.)

Ahead, I could see the road going down and then up. To the right I passed at 327 a small antique brown residence, with white trim, dating to circa 1780, the home of Peter Hutchinson. Then I saw wetlands on both sides.

Next on the left came, at 264, a smaller now home for sale. It had a two–door detached garage and enclosed porch. On the right I passed a very long cemetery – Sleepy Hollow. I was feeling thirst very severely now.

Partridge Lane (another dead-end street not on my map but on the atlases) came on the left; on it I saw contemporary colonials which I considered to be ugly. (Other people like them: Banker and Tradesman for January 11, 1999 reported the sale of 138 Partridge Lane, a five-bedroom contemporary with a lot of 37,361 square feet, for $960,000.) At 148 on that side was a residence name "The Gray Barn". I noted a cute older house of that color. Next on that side came Bedford Court (another dead-end); on the corner, at 128, was a yellow house with white trim dating to 1887.

At 118 I saw the home of Timothy Miner, built (a sign on it told me) before 1712. At Davis Court on the left, Bedford Street curve right. I remembered the intersection now visible ahead, as I passed an older section of Sleepy Hollow to my right.

I now reached Court Lane and (for the sake of novelty) followed straight with it, Bedford Street going to the left. Here Route 62 becomes a kind of divided highway, with these two roads as one-way segments.

To my right, as the cemetery ended, I saw an old gray house that somehow appeared to be now connected with it. On the other side I noted (the back side, as I thought, of) the Joseph Dee and Son Funeral Home, established in 1869. I reached Monument Street, on which I would make a subsequent walk, North from Concord.

This area is Concord Center, and the compound intersection here is Monument Square. Across I saw the office of Brigitte Senkler and Associates. I had seen their signs on property for sale earlier in the walk. (Brigitte now seems to be Vice-President of Hunneman-Senkler.)

As I went south on Monument, I saw at 30 on the left side a brick building that I thought might be a school converted to housing. On the right was The Cottage, offering "distinctive furnishings and accents". Then on that side was the Colonial Inn, a building of architectural excellence built in 1716; various patrons were dining outside.

My newly planned route was to take me to West Concord, and there seemed to be enough time that I could make this a somewhat leisurely course, mixing in whatever unexplored roads I could with some inevitable repetition from prior walks. I now turned onto Lowell Street, thinking I was headed west. Across the way was the First Church of Christ, a building I thought quite unattractive. To the left I saw a stone bench, on which I could read that I was passing Anne Chamberlain Path.

Left and right I saw houses - still no place to get a drink. On the right was the home of John Stacy, built in 1828. This was a nice looking building, in yellow with black shutters; there was also a barn.

Now I came to Bow Street on my right. I realized that I was going the wrong way - north instead of west (and therefore "pre-repeating" the future walk just cited). Crossing to the other side, I now went back toward the center. Behind a brick modern addition to the Colonial Inn (now on my left) I noticed a Snapple truck.  On the right was the Masonic Temple, curiously followed by the rival Knight of Columbus in the Parish Center of St. Bernard's Church.

Route 62 was ahead of me. I passed the war memorial, the monument giving the square its name and other attractions on my left. Then on that side was the Concord Town Hall. It occurred to me that the brick building I had thought to be residential must actually be a municipal structure of some sort. At 70 Lowell was the rectory of St. Bernard.

Going west on Main Street (and now repeating again), I saw dense stores everywhere. Surely there was a place to get something to drink! To my right I observed a Massachusetts Tercentenary sign, proclaiming that "near this spot" was the site of Jethro's tree, an ancient oak, where Samuel Willard bought land from the native Americans.

Past this on that side was another Tercentenary notice, noting Mill Dam, a short stretch of street "still called by that name". This was once a native American weir, then a colonial dam.

On the left, I noted the Snow Pharmacy; drug stores usually have sodas and such, but there was  no certain indication. Then I saw the Milldam Store. I went in and, perhaps influenced by the truck I had seen, got a Snapple Orange Jasmine Iced Tea, tempted by, but rejecting, the ice cream that was available here. Taking a very short breather, I set on a bench outside, noting a BankBoston office in a brick building opposite, on the north side of Main.

Off again at 2:30, with seven hours walked, I felt that there was no hurry. I had over an hour to get the 3:45 in West Concord, and half an hour seemed a conservative estimate for the time to get there.

Someone was painting the front of the store and I decided to move. Going a little further down the sidewalk, I regretted not getting an ice cream. I saw the Sally Ann Food Shop, now wishing I had remembered to stop there. On my walk west along Route 62 from Bedford, I had enjoyed an excellent cream cheese brownie and iced hazelnut coffee there. The bench in front of this establishment was occupied; so I continued a bit more, sitting on the steps of the Cambridge Trust Company bank.

Preparing for a diversion later, I now crossed to the right of Main Street and headed west again. I crossed Keyes Road on this side, learning from the informative Concord street sign department that it was named after John Maynard Keyes (pronounced, I learned from the Internet, to rhyme with "eyes"), who live from 1862 to 1935 and was a road commissioner and selectman. (Later I took this street, relearning this forgotten information, on my walk Northwest from Concord.)

Next on the right came an old cemetery, which proved to be Second Burial Place, dating to around 1800. I went in and took a quick look at the old graves and then returned west on Main. Further on this side I saw at 100 a large three-story brick building that I could not identify.

Sudbury Road appeared on the left, and examination of my map led me to add Southwest from Concord to my (mental) list of projected walks. On the right I passed the many buildings of Concord Academy, which was celebrating its 75th anniversary.

Feeling refreshed, and perhaps also because it was cooler now, I was going faster. I passed many late nineteenth century homes. Then, moving into new territory again, I went right on Nashawtuc Road, its sign explaining that this name is Algonquin for "Between the Rivers". On the corner was a beautiful old yellow two and a half story residence.

Quickly I went over a stone bridge (Conrad Juul was its contractor) over the Sudbury River. On both sides I could see canoeists. The road then curved left. To the right were fields; I could not tell what was on the other side, either more fields or else floodplains, but it was all green.

I went uphill to an intersection, reaching Squaw Sachem's Terrace, honoring a chief of the Musketaquid people (hitherto unknown to me), who was living here around 1635. (Even less did I know that Musketaquid evidently still exists as a place name.) I now went left on Musketaquid Road, going westward. On the corner lot, numbered 9, was a very fine home that seemed classifiable as either a cape or a colonial.

There were more attractive older homes on this street. I said hello to a landscape worker. At 73, John Dee Painting was at work. To the left there was a field that possibly was cultivated. Behind it, I could see route 2A going over a bridge across the Sudbury River.

I was enjoying this scenic alternative to Route 2A, but I was nonetheless beginning to worry about my time, as there were only about forty-five minutes left to my train. On the right I noted a flower garden, belonging to a large home uphill. Further on that side was a field.

Going uphill, I then crossed Simon Willard Road. (Nashawtuc Road goes to Simon Willard Commons, a park also honoring this illustrious figure, who was from Kent, England.) On the right I saw a large colonial, with an old stone wall. Now there were houses on the left and a field on the right.

I saw an attractive yellow home, apparently of stucco, on the left at 207, with green shutters and a garage. I saw houses back to my right that were on Annawan Road.

A new red colonial was at 253 on the left; this two-story home had white trim. At 285 was a large white residence that I supposed was once a farmhouse. Muketaquid curved left, and I hear cars from Route 2A (Elm Street), which I was about to take for a short course.

I saw a gray cape at 315, which had a field with a small pond. I was speeding up now, as it was already 3:10, with just over half an hour left. As so often, my time estimate had proved to be somewhat optimistic.

Now I reached Route 2A, going west for a short repeat of the walk west from Lexington cited earlier. There were fine homes here. At 380 I noted a one and half story made of stone and wood. I found particularly attractive an off-white old colonial at 401; it had pea green trim.

Looking across the street I saw what I first (optimistically rather than realistically) thought might be my intended turn south, Baker Street. I crossed to the south side and found that this was actually Crescent Road. Just past on the other side was Park Street.

With only half an hour to train time, I was racing now. I found Baker Avenue and headed left onto it. Two signs, one reading "Dead End" and the other "Business Area at Left Cross at Rt 2" unnerved me. My map did imply that Baker did not actually cross Route 2, but I had hoped that it might. (The Arrow and Universal atlases - not to mention the Internet map servers - clearly show that it does not. However, I had not of course studied these sources concerning this area because I planned to be quite elsewhere.) It looked as if I was going to have another tough maneuver at best; at worst, I would not be able to get through and would have no hope for the 3:45 train.

On the left I went by Allen Farm Lane, on which were large new homes, the same type also categorizing Baker. Next on the left came Gifford Lane. Going uphill, I passed Saw Mill Road on the right.

I made on left curve, seeing undeveloped land on the left side. On the right was a beautiful white home, numbered 138, bearing the name Baker Farm. (From the Internet, it would appear that Thoreau once tried to buy this farm and that the neighborhood here was once called Fair Haven,  a name preserved in two topographic features.) And then came a cul–de–sac, just as I had feared.

Cutting through some brush, I somehow made it to Route 2. Across I saw an Elks lodge. But where was the other part of Baker Avenue? On the map (Arrow seems to err here, the Universal atlas agreeing more with my observation) it was right across, but no such street could be seen.

Nor knowing what to do, I turned right (west), walking on the grass shoulder on the right side of the highway. I could see that something was ahead. It was not likely to be Baker, but it should give me my bearings. Proceeding this way for a while, I encountered a sign saying Elm Street was just ahead. That being the junction of Route 2 and 2A, I quickly decided to go back. Going further offered no hope for reaching the West Concord station in time; but if I headed back, perhaps I might see Baker after all.

To find it, clearly I need to cross Route 2, which somehow did, once again vowing never to do so again. (So far I've kept this promise, but without being subject to such temptation.) Forcing myself up a hill on the other side, I went up a hill, past the large and not bad looking, Elks building and found - a street! (This was indeed Baker, another road severed by a superhighway.)

As so often in the last stage of a walk, I now broke into an actual run – which is not easy to do when one has walked almost eight hours - and is taking notes, at that! I passed the Concord Animal Hospital on the left and then Composite Engineering. On the right was Concord Woods, an office building with Gen Rad in it.

Crossing railroad tracks, I could now view my next turn, Main Street, ahead. To my right I noted a commercial building with various firms at 336-338. To the left was something called "Concord Green" (which Internet sleuthing revealed to be an apartment building. On the right were now wetlands.

Once more on Main Street (and repeating), I went right (west), seeing on my left a Mobil Station and on the other side the Community National Bank. Then on the left was Dino's Pizzeria, while on my side was the West Concord Donut Shoppe.

Going over the Assabet River for a second time, I found commercial property on the left and wetlands on the right. Then on my side was the West Concord Shopping Plaza.

The commercial center of West Concord (with a 99 Restaurant) was now right ahead of me, and I was confident of making it to the station on time, though characteristically still running, just to be sure. On the left I saw Concord Fire Station Number 2 and then an Exxon station.

Just at the eight hour mark, I entered the station. I could see Commonwealth Avenue ahead, the start of a future walk Northwest from West Concord. I could not see a phone and went into the Club Car Café (years before, the last time I ended a walk in West Concord, I had a very good sandwich at this place). A girl working there told me where the telephone was and informed me that MBTA tickets were now longer sold here.

Finding the phone, I left a message for Cathy and returned to the Café to get a Coca-Cola. I drank it outside while inspecting the small, quaint brick West Concord Depot, built in 1894 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Just as I finished my drink, I heard a train whistle. However, this proved to be an outbound train; my train to Boston, apparently running a few minutes behind schedule, arrived a little later. As I got in it, I noticed how the sky had grown overcast.

Although probably the worst ever in terms of failure of game plan, this was still an interesting walk. As is invariably the case with those that begin fairly near to Boston and are designed not to go to new places bur rather to cover previous territory in different ways, it was low on localities. But, especially for walks of this type, is offered relatively high scenic and historic experience. In the latter category, the totally unplanned nostalgic episode was a rare and interesting experience.
 
 

Name: North from Wellesley Hills

Path: Wellesley – Lincoln – West Concord

Date: August 20, 1997

Time: 8 hours

Weather: 70s; cool in early morning; mostly overcast, but sun frequently out; warm at times, especially in early afternoon; rather humid

Roadkill: Muskrat (Weston); squirrel (Concord)

Municipalities: Wellesley, Weston, Lincoln, Bedford, Concord

Localities: Wellesley Hills, Seaverns Brook, Weston Reservoir, Weston Center (Weston), Pigeon Hill, Cherry Brook, Silver Hill, Stony Brook, Iron Mine Brook, Minute Man National Park, Concord Center, Sudbury River, Musketaquid, Assabet River, West Concord

Extinct localities: Virginia

Highlight: Weston Reservoir

Lowlight: Wrong turn after crossing Route 2

New walks: SW from Concord

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(c) 2001 James Murphy
Last edited April 27, 2001