In the summer, I stayed away. It gets very crowded at Walden Pond, a state park popular with swimmers, and since March I’ve been worried about picking up coronavirus in a crowd.
But on a cloudy weekday morning in fall, I thought I’d give it a shot, and I’m so glad I did. It’s lovely, and I was mostly reassured by signs reminding people about masks and social distancing. Moreover, for the pandemic, the path is one-way, counterclockwise around the pond.
It wasn’t quite as empty as my photos make it seem. There were ten or 20 swimmers, gliding quietly with their orange bubbles attached for safety, and a few kayakers, paddeboarders, and fishermen. I even ran into a neighbor who was out for his constitutional.
At the farthest point from the beach house is the railroad track for the train to Boston. I remember visiting with the class when Suzanne was in second grade and studying Henry David Thoreau, and we learned that train whistles would have been a sound Thoreau heard when he lived at his cabin. (But not airplanes, the teacher reminded us.)
I have stuck the photo of Thoreau’s lodging next to the hut-site photo with his famous quotation and the memorial stones, but in fact the cabin is a replica and is located over by the parking lot across Route 126.
I loved the wavy curve of the shore in one shot. Also the woman meditating by the quiet water.
There weren’t any turtles, unless that street sign refers to me. I’m a very slow walker. Fortunately, slow walkers can turn on flashing lights to cross the road and get back to the parking lot safely.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Looks like you had a nice time. I enjoyed the photos. Covid or no Covid, it seems to me that Walden Pond should be visited as you did, without a lot of other people in sight. 🙂
You are right. Sometimes the crowds in the heat of August are just trying to cool off — and who can blame them? But they may miss the special vibe of the place.
I loved the pics, and a perfect place to connect with nature and inner soul 🙂
and get in a nice walk at the same time
Yeah true 🙂
Nice post. I haven’t been here in ages.
Come when it’s not too busy.
When I’m in MA for Christmas, my cousin and I walk there on Christmas Day or the day after, weather permitting. No crowds then!!
Yes, I like it in winter, too, but only if there is no ice on the paths.
It has been pretty slippery sometimes–one time it was snowing–but I’ll take it however I can get it!
So lovely!
It is so important that parks be accessible to everyone and free. This one is free if you don’t have to use the parking lot. People often walk from town.
I love your pics and would like to follow you on your walk
More to come, and after we get a safe vaccine, we will indeed walk together!
Great post. Great blog. HDT is my favorite author and Walden is one of my favorite books. I visited Walden Pond some years ago. I was beyond excited to step inside that replicated cabin. I got a whiff of the air. I sat on the chair. I laid on the bed. I stared out the window. I took too many photos. Actually, the primary picture on my own blog is one of the inside of that cabin. Anyway, again, I love your posts. Keep it up. God bless.
In a sentence, can you say what aspect of Thoreau’s ideas speak to you most?
The idea that you can step away from society, separate yourself from the threat of “progress” and modernity, for however much (or little) time you need, just to further find yourself and be %100 YOUR SELF. What I read in Walden is a man who truly lived.
That is lovely. Thank you.