November 2, 2021
My post-operation recovery continues. I did a ton of walking last week, and now I feel sore in the area of my operation, so I’m slowing things down this week. I have all fall, winter, and early spring to get myself back in primo hiking shape, and I don’t want to accidentally damage myself doing too much too quickly. Therefore, all I did today was walk a mile and a half or so total so I could stick my hand in two Wild & Scenic Rivers. One of my stops was the site of a historic moment – here’s to the moxie of Prudence Wright.
Prudence Wright was the first woman to hold a paid military position in the USA. She is known for, among other things, capturing two people, one of whom was her brother, for spying for the British. She led a group of women, who were dressed in men’s clothing, to confront the two men, pull them off their horses, and take them to local officials to be held for treason. The women used farm tools as weapons since firearms were with the men on the front lines.
The spot where the women captured the two men is by the covered bridge in Pepperell, MA. The bridge spans Nashua River, a National Wild & Scenic River.
Squannacook River was next. A fifteen-minute drive brought me to Townsend, where there are multiple access points to dip a hand in the river (and to fish, if one is so inclined). I chose to park at a Wildlife Management Area and quickly walk a few tenths of a mile through the woods until I reached the water. I forgot my blaze orange vest – oops – and am grateful I didn’t get shot (it’s hunting season).
