Waylaid in Wayland. Upper Boston Post Road #5 (UBPR #5). “We were resolved to go the Sudbury road, (which was the main road that led to Worcester ) and go as far as the the thirty-seven mile-stone, where we had left the main road and taken the Framingham road.” Ensign Henry DeBerniere, from his report… (read more)
An Essay On Post Roads, Turnpikes, And The Art Of Walking. For Cheryl, whose journey was cut short. ***** Why? This is the most frequent question I am asked about this project. What possible reason could I have for wandering along some old road on foot when I could much more easily and comfortably drive… (read more)
The Myth Of The Wild Weston. Upper Boston Post Road Entry #4 (UBPR #4). “It was my dream that screwed up, the stupid hearthside idea that it would be wonderful to follow one great red line across America…” Jack Kerouac, On The Road, p. 13. ***** There’s no @*&# sidewalk! Standing on the busy edge… (read more)
Mile 14. Shunpiking Ye Waye Through Ye Swamp Walking The Post Road Entry #15 (WTPR #15) “Great commotion about the course of the turnpike thro’ Dedham. Many dread it as bad as a standing army, to spunge them of money.” Fisher Ames Diary, May 19, 1802. “plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose” Jean-Baptiste… (read more)
Mile 11. Fellow Travelers. Walking The Post Road Entry #13 (WTPR #13). “When we had Ridd about an how’r, wee come into a thick swamp, wch. by Reason of a great fogg, very much startled mee, it being now very Dark.” Sarah Kemble Knight from the Journal of Madam Knight. October 2, 1704. *** This… (read more)
Across The Plains. Upper Boston Post Road Entry #3 (UBPR#3) “Sudbury Road, now Main Street, early laid out as a principal thoroughfare to the western settlements, extended through the comparatively uninhabited plain, important only as a means of communication to distant regions. The fact that the territory was unsettled doubtless accounts for its generous width… (read more)
Mile 10. Trials And Tribulations. Walking The Post Road Entry #12 (WTPR #12). “He told me that this place was the most sharping country ever I was in and that this little piddling trick was only the beginning of it and nothing to what I should experience if I stayed there but some weeks.”1Dr. Alexander… (read more)
Stuck At The Border Or, Pilgrim’s Lack Of Progress. Upper Boston Post Road Entry #2 (UBPR #2) “You will go through the counties of Suffolk and Worcester, taking a sketch of the country as you pass; It is not expected you should make out regular plans and surveys, but mark out the roads and distances… (read more)
Mile 0. The Origin Of The Post Road. Walking The Post Road Entry #2 (WTPR #2). “For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people upon us.” John Winthrop, A Model of Christian Charity *** This is the second entry from my previous project, Walking… (read more)
Milestone 5. The Art of Walking. Walking The Post Road Entry #1 (WTPR #1) “I have met but one or two persons in the course of my life who understood the art of walking…” Henry David Thoreau, Walking ***** This is the very first of the entries from my previous project, Walking the Post Road,… (read more)
