It’s officially fall now, and usually that means my swim season is over. However, inspired by fellow bloggers, the Book Why We Swim, and the FB group Boston Open Water Swimming, I’m going to see how far into the fall/winter I can continue heading into the water. Maybe I can just keep swimming, just keep swimming…
Last week, Norah and I went to Walden for our last official summer swim. It was a gorgeous day, low-mid 70s/22-23C and sunny. For those of you who haven’t been to Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts, it is a very beautiful place, well-designed and well-maintained. This is important, because it is hugely popular with locals and tourists. About 500,000 people visit each year, according to this article in Smithsonian. However, the capacity is strictly monitored, and the Pond closes to new visitors several times a day on busy days in the summer, reopening when the numbers drop.
Here you can see the well-maintained parking areas and walkways, accessible to lots of people.
One of the parking lots, with a wide cinder walkway. There are smooth wood walkways with ramps, railings and cuts for walkers, strollers, and wheelchairs. 
Visitors come with their walkers, their coolers, their sun hats and their friends.
With utility comes a definite New England aesthetic.
There’s both a wood ramp and a wide dirt path from the parking lot, visitor’s center and… 
The bathrooms! They’re oh so discreet.
When Norah and I crossed the street (which has a huuuge set of pedestrian signs and lights), we walked down the wide concrete path to the main beach. In the summer there are lifeguards and ropes for the swimming areas.
Norah on the main beach of Walden, waving to all of you. 
A side beach at Walden. There are usually lifeguards and ropes here, too.
Our favorite swim spot is on the other side of the pond. On the way there we pass other people in their favorite spots, and see lots of action on the water.
The walking path around the pond. 
Someone staked out a spot with a towel and clothing. 
Two people are kneeling on a standup paddleboard. 
Three swimmers, with their swim buoys, moving in the middle of the pond. 
A groups of folks in bathing suits, hanging out by the water.
Here’s what our favorite swimming spot looks like.
We park our stuff around the corner from the folks on the far left. 
The view from our spot– blue skies, trees, clear and deep water.
After swimming, chatting, snacking and addressing the problems of the world, Norah and I return the way we came. The path goes all the way around the pond, in case you want to check out the other side. Lots of people swim from there, too.
A view of the pond on our way back in late summer, late afternoon. 
The pond again, with tiny orange swim buoys visible in the deep water.
I finally bought a wetsuit– a shorty one– and I’ve got neoprene booties when I need them (still have gloves to purchase). This fall will be my first foray into colder water swimming. But there’s nothing like heading into the water in summer, the cool water instantly changing your perspective on a hot (and possibly trying) day. This was my last one of those for while.
What about you, dear readers? What activities are you wrapping up or changing gear for this fall? We’d love to hear from you.
A good post on last summer swim. Thank you 😊
Oh oh. What wet suit did you get?
It was the shorty one you suggested to me. I ordered the 16–18. Haven’t used it yet, but tried it on and it seems to work. Will report back (of course!)
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/ca/shorty-womens-wetsuit-p7000.aspx/charcoal/?fbclid=IwAR3gOTDxdWb78sGyY_Jv9nffKAWgc96a-uJ7ZRCqrzn9sa2r5SdPYAZfWLw