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Puffer's Pond, morning before swimming crowds, 5/31/13
(Special thanks to those who cleared trash the prior evening) |
Friday, 5/31/2013, 8:15 am: We're in the midst of a heat wave, with temps predicted to get up to 94°F this afternoon, but it's sheer perfection at this moment. Other than a few lone runners and occasional dog walkers, all smiling and friendly, there are fewer people around than normal. "Just need to beat the heat," commented one woman as she jogged up State Street. Except for me, Puffer's Pond itself is deserted at this hour (precisely why I chose to visit now and not later). Cars will be jammed into every available square inch of State Street by noon, and the beach will be wall-to-wall people into the late afternoon. Standing on a rock along the shore, I spot a school of tadpoles through the sunlit water. A downy woodpecker swoops overhead and proceeds to dart between nearby tree branches. I look out over the water and see dragonflies flitting along the surface, seeking out (I presume) mosquitoes. I smile because "dragonflies are our friends" - an oft-repeated phrase when our son was young. Everywhere, all around, life is happening. As I am about to return home, I run into a fellow Town Meeting member, who is out walking her dog, Honey. After gently lobbying for our respective positions on several upcoming articles - Town Meeting is more contentious than usual these days - we remember the time and head home in opposite directions. She is not thrilled about the large new wooden sign/bulletin board that has been erected, but not yet unveiled, near the center of the beach area (she assumes the town paid for it at great cost), but I am more approving. The structure is reminiscent of the signage at state parks, and while Puffer's has not been elevated to state park status, I think this gem in our town merits at least the appearance of being that official. Besides, whatever encourages swimmers to treat the area with care and remove their trash is a good thing. Air temperature: 72°F; water temperature: 63°F.
See past entries
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