After an insane series of thunderstorms last night that rocked the car and literally provided so much lightning that I could have read a book using the light of the flashes, I woke up this morning at 5:00 AM and headed back out on the road. Among several stops was the Quincy Bog, which I learned was actually a fen. “Fen” is apparently a British word meaning “ten billion blood-thirsty mosquitos”, and it wasn’t long before I was chased away. After a few more stops the Ryan Holliday Childhood Memories Tour 2008 resumed with a trip to New London, site of my parent’s cabin during our New Hampshire days. The cabin seems to be gone – it looks like a different cabin was built in its place – but Peter Christian’s Tavern is still here, as is the Philbrick-Cricenti Bog. This bog is a true bog instead of a fen-in-disguise, and it features the following helpful safety advice at marker twenty:
“STAY ON THE WALK! Those light green patches are only thin skims of moss and sedge. Below them are remains of cows, deer, and at least one horse.”
At least one horse? I had the best places to play as a kid.
Have fun in Iceland!
thanks sunshine – early word from rod & marlene is that it’s pretty wet over there, but hopefully the sun will peek through from time to time. even if it stays wet though it’s gonna be a pretty awesome trip – they have puffins and geysers and stuff, which are good entertainment in any weather.