Abner Serd

Author | Humorist | Storyteller

Day 1: Quincy to Arlington

Day 1 is in the books! I couldn’t have asked for better weather: blue skies, a light, cool breeze, temperatures in the 60s F/18 C. No hills. Light traffic. And a place to stay at the end of the day. Cakewalk, all the way.

I did 20 miles without breaking a sweat, practically. I dawdled the last few miles, and still reached my destination an hour early. In fact, I considered upping my average daily miles from 20 to 25 — but let’s not be hasty. I didn’t need to carry my full pack on this leg. As I get further away from home, that’ll make a difference.

Thanks to our fabulous hosts John & Helen for putting us up this first night out (“us” being my lovely partner Kitten Caboodle and me). The accommodations were luxurious, and I got to “sing for my supper” by spinning a few yarns — which, after all, is the whole point of this venture.

Onward to Westford, MA today. I understand there’s a hike & bike trail that’ll get me at least halfway there. Time permitting, I might stop by Walden Pond to pay my respects to my old friend, Henry David Thoreau.

Speaking of old friends, the inscription at the base of this statue helped inspire my first ever long distance walk in May 1987 (35 years ago this month):

“Dream dreams, then write them. Aye, but live them first.”

  • Samuel Eliot Morison

And now, on to Day Two …

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