Shot Heard Round the World

This morning we packed up ready to move and then drove to another part of the Minute Man National Historical Park, the site of the Old North Bridge where the order was given to colonial militia and minute men to fire on the British troops. Emerson memorialized this event in his Concord Hymn as "the shot heard round the world." The hymn was sung at the dedication of the Obelisk Monument to the fallen soldiers (never knew that "hymn" was literal--I'd always thought of it as just a poem).

"Old North Bridge"

"Embattled farmer" holds musket, hand on plow

The North Bridge has been dismantled and restored many times. At the centennial of the April 19, 1775, battle, a minute man statue was installed at the opposite end of the bridge. Emerson's home, the Manse, is located nearby.

Wooded campsite in Wompatuck State Park

We moved to Wompatuck State Park south of Boston. Even though it was a relatively short drive, we were tired and cold by the time we had picked out a site, registered, dumped our tanks, and filled up with fresh water. It's a chilly day, but should be warmer tomorrow.

We spent a couple of frustrating hours trying to get ICS (internet connection sharing) working so that we can both use the Verizon USB modem connection. We were unsuccessful, and we had to reset our router. Grrrrr.

We don't plan to visit any tourist sites tomorrow. We have to do some grocery shopping (there are actually Whole Foods and Trader Joes nearby). We still have to find someone to install our new fuel filter, and maybe we'll get some laundry done too.