In the woods near the house where I grew up, there is a little pond. On the shore of this very small pond is a wooden structure, open to the elements, with a big stone fireplace. There’s graffiti everywhere. We used to come here and skate in the winter, when the pond would freeze over. We’d just walk on down on the weekends, or after school. No adult supervision. Ah, when kids had free time to get up to no good. It’s a beautiful peaceful spot. Sometimes in the summer, with the heat, the pond dries up totally, leaving a reedy-marshy area. I love it best in late autumn, or early spring … when the trees are bare, everything is lifeless and quiet, but you can feel the echoes of what goes on here in busier times. I love the little wrought-iron chair placed on a random hill in the woods. It’s a very peaceful place. Untouched, un-“improved” since I was a kid. Some things do stay the same.
Looks kind of like the Great Swamp Bird Sanctuary. My husband and I went there often. Osprey nests! Also I set a scene there in one of my novels. I miss Rhode Island! Anyway, is this near the Great Swamp? The pictures are wonderful.
Jincy – it’s not the Great Swamp but it is … Great Swamp adjacent! I used to go running in the Great Swamp and in grade school we’d have field trips there where we learned about the (terrible) thing that happened there.
Now that I’m back in this neck of the woods, I’m looking forward to visiting again – and looking for osprey nests.
and of course I love your Rhode Island novel so much!! :)