Archive for the ‘Out and About’ Category.
We took a walk down the famed “Battle Road”, just a few miles from the Inn,
over the New Year’s weekend. This is a photo of the 18th century Hartwell Tavern. The day was unusually warm, with 60 degree temperatures quickly melting the snow. We saw many people enjoying the weather, including a 3 year-old boy who was happily jumping up and down in a knee-deep mud puddle.
There is a spectacular exhibit of large-format, color photos only 10 minutes away from the inn that we highly recommend!
For the past 15 years, photographer Quang-Tuan Luong has traveled across the United States, treasure hunting. Not for gold or hidden oil reserves, but to capture in photographs the spectacular beauty of our national parks. Luong has single-handedly documented all 58 U.S. national parks, a feat that no other photographer has accomplished. The result of his quest is featured in the exhibition, “Treasured Lands: The Fifty-Eight U.S. National Parks in Focus.”
To get his pictures, Luong kayaked through iceberg-laden waters, canoed down wild rivers, scuba-dived tropical seas, climbed to the summit of Mt. McKinley, and frequently trekked the trail-less terrain of the back country, all while lugging his 75-pound, large-format camera, photo gear, and camping equipment. He once had to sacrifice his gear to escape a bear attack.
For mor info go to:http://www.monh.org
Treasured Land
Our guests often ask us where we go to get away. We try to stay at the finest of the small Inns. Earlier this summer we had the pleasure to visit with Jim and Cyndi, owners of the beautiful Inns at Blackberry Common in Camden, Maine. This fine property (of two adjacent buildings) is restored true to period with crisp detail and rich colors. The Inn is a short walk down to the bustling ocean-side town with many restaurants, fine-arts shops and scenic vistas. Camden, a deep-water port, is an easy 3 hour drive along the coast from Concord. We had time to stop for some lobsters on the way. On our second day we took the kayaks inland a few miles to a stunning lake surrounded by consevation land. We returned home refreshed from the outing. You can find the Inns at Blackberry common: www.innsatblackberrycommon.com
A day near Camden
We took a little kayak trip down the Concord River and caught sight of a monster snapping turtle sunning on a rock. That is the Old North Bridge in the background.
Have you ever been up close to a 50-foot, 40-ton whale? Once you have, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. According to the World Wildlife Fund, Massachusetts is one of the top-ten whale-watching spots in the world!
Whale-watching is a fun day-trip from the Hawthorne Inn.
You can be dock-side in less than an hour from the Inn. Onboard with a naturalists you’ll head out 25 miles to Stellwagen Bank and be treated to awe-inspiring sights of humpback, pilot, minke and blue whales breaching and spouting through the deep Atlantic Ocean. The season runs April-October.
We have gone out several times with Seven Seas and have always seen many beautiful animal. Once, while drifting among a pod, we were looking over the boat-rail directly onto the back of a lounging humpback, he opened his blow-hole and spouted all over us. Now that is a close look at whales.
Seven Seas Whale Watch http://www.7seas-whalewatch.com/
Did you know: "Mobey Dick" was dedicated to Nathaniel Hawthorne.
The Autumn light is brilliant making every view of Concord worthy of a photograph.
Eternal Presence
Tiger steps
Park view
We took advantage of the beautiful weather of the wanning days of fall to visit the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park. Set on a sloping rise, high above Flint’s Pond, the museum is a scenic 10 minute drive from the Inn. We ambled about the open lawns and wooded glades to discover over 75 sculptural works. We saved time to view the museum’s revolving exhibit and photography collection and to relax in the sun on the stone-lined patio.
Recently I invited my friend, who was visiting from Germany, to accompany me on the Concord River for his first kayaking adventure. Volker first visited the Hawthorne Inn fifteen years ago as a guest who was travelling on corporate business. We have since become fast friends.
We set off early in the morning and silently glided through drifting mist that was electrified by the rising sun. A grey heron took flight, church bells echoed from the distant village and I espied wild grapes hanging in ripe purple clusters by the river’s edge. As we enjoyed the gift of an unexpected breakfast of juice-bearing fruit, while riding upon the slow flowing waters, I was immersed in the beauty of God’s creation.
Minute Man Statue in the Morn
