MASSACHUSETTS TRIP, Day 3, July 15

Another fine, but hot day in New England. In Dallas, everyone runs from air conditioned apartment or house to air conditioned car, and vice versa, but here at Marthe's house a window air conditioning is turned on in each bedroom at night when it is hot and humid, and otherwise, the humidity is palpable. This morning, Marthe and I had breakfast together, which consisted of Greek yoghurt and delicious fresh bread with marmalade and a cup of coffee. Then I worked with various itinerary items for hikes and visits we are planning for the next few days. Josh came by at a little after noon, and we took his car and traveled about 1 1/2 hours north to Canterbury, New Hampshire, passing Loudon, NH along the way, where policemen were present all over the speedway and the roads were being prepared for a NASCAR speed racing event later that afternoon. we were on our way to a quieter venue, the Csnterbury Shaker Village. The first place we stopped was Greenwood's Restaurant across from Shaker Village, in the old Trustees' Office, where a weekend brunch was being served. We had made reservations, but nobody else was in the restaurant, so I was able to take some wonderful pictures of the great wooden Shaker chairs, tables, wainscoting and wood paneling which made up the restaurant. Marthe and I both had the Yankee pot roast and potatoes as well as a cole slaw that was served with it. Additionally, Marthe and I shared a very nice fruit crumble with cream, as well as coffee for dessert. Josh had fish and a bread pudding. Our food was very good, but the bread pudding was drier than the more moist bread pudding of New Orleans fame, and frankly not as good. After the excellent meal, we headed to the Visitor Center and perused the gift store. There were several oval boxes, Christmas ornaments, and especially chairs that I wanted to buy, but did not allow myself to purchase. We got on the 3:00 tour of the premises. Canterbury is one of a handful of Shaker villages founded in America in the 19th c. It was made a National Historic Landmmark in 1993. There are 25 original Shaker buildings, four reconstructed ones, and 694 acres of fields, forests, gardens, and ponds. Between 1843 and 1908, 11 different Shaker hymnals were published by Shakers at Canterbury, and we were constantly reminded of the importance of music and dancing among this celibate community which by 1992 was looking at its last inhabitants (I think that now there is a total of about 12 Shaker members left in the US). With our informative guide we toured the original Meeting House, the Spin and Dry Houses for the cleaning of wash; and a Dwelling House for the residents, women in one wing, men in another. Once we had toured those main houses, we went off on our own, and I explored the foundations of an old barn that had burned; a kitchen garden; the schoolhouse, and various exhibits concerning the inventions and useful objects used by the Shakers, including the broom. Fascinating exhibit, although I wished we had had more time to more thoroughly delve into the museum's holdings. We did not go home by the reverse route, since we heard that traffic was clogged on Hwy. 93 due to the NASCAR race, but instead took some back roads. Arrived back home right at nightfall, and Josh left for his place. Marthe and I then spent about three hours talking and snacking on hummus, cheese, and little pita chips, as well as drinking Orangina. And so the day has come to an end, well and satisfying. Good night! More tomorrow.  Sylvia