Where it stood

Being either brave, adventuresome, or stupid, (since we had gotten turned around in the past), during yesterday's walk we decided to check out parts of the Nobscot Boy Scout Reservation that we had never visited before. Specifically, we set out to see what was on the backside of Tippling Rock. Supposedly there is a view of Mount Monadnock. I thought it would be cool to hike up to see Monadnock and then at some future date, hike Monadnock in New Hampshire and look for Nobscot. So following our map, we headed out.

We didn't reach our goal. Instead we got turned around, but still we saw stuff we had never seen. Like this pile of nails from where a house was leveled and burned on site, leaving this carpet of debris, along with a hearth and chimney. The land up there is a mish mash of Boy Scout land, Conservation Land and Private. The map does not mention a ruin, but it stands. Actually we ran across a couple of solemn chimneys tucked in among the trees.

There is a lot of history in those woods; with the most famous site being the Small Pox graveyard. The girls are fascinated and probably frightened by the fact that when people, old and young, contracted this disease they were sent away from their families to more than likely die. Each time we have walked up to the graves, chattering children stop all that they are doing and stare at the stone piles. We say a prayer, then quietly go on our way. There is a rumor that the woods are haunted by two children who play among the trees.

I picture the children lying in Pest Houses, looking out the windows, wishing they felt well enough to play. And only in death do they find the strength to do so.