351 in 365

No white coating on the ground. Temperatures in the 50s earlier this week. Here in Massachusetts, nature is a hot, withered mess. The only thing that isn’t dry, of course, is your local body of water. Follow me on a tour of Water, Water, Everywhere. This will be part 1 in a series of three posts.

1. Damon Pond

Damon Pond • Ashby, MA

The only reason I made it to Damon Pond in Ashby, MA is that I overshot Trap Falls — my intended destination. Both places are part of Willard Brook State Forest. Just over a mile from Trap Falls on a road where there are very few spots to turn around, the pond was a nice surprise.

2. Trap Falls

After finding the pond, I thought about just moving on to the next town. But that voice in the wind told me to turn around and find my way back to the falls.

Trap Falls • Ashby, MA

There was a restroom there — how delightfully unexpected! — but it was boarded up. ‘Tis the season.

3. Stoneville Pond 

Another recreational pool. It was tough to find a parking spot to photograph Stoneville Pond in Auburn, MA. I ended up driving a couple of miles out of the way in search of a not-entirely-safe pullover spot, but it was worth it to me.

Stoneville Pond • Auburn, MA

4. Ice House Pond

Ice House Pond in Hopkinton, MA was a happy accident. I was finishing up my towns that day and noticed that it was still light out. I thought, why not keep driving on this road to see what’s in the next town?

Ice House Pond • Hopkinton, MA

Located on West Main St. across from the Berry Acres Conservation Area, this pond is made for ice skating.

5. Lake Whalom

If you’ve ever lived in Massachusetts, chances are that you remember Whalom Park. So sad that this amusement park of my childhood was taken down in 2000. A residential complex has since replaced the park as if it were never there at all. The lake, of course, still remains.

Lake Whalom • Lunenburg, MA

♪♫ Whaaaalom Park…for a whale of a time! ♫♭♩♩