Afternoon Light in the Fall, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I always forget how much more boat there is under the waterline on a sailboat until I see it like this. There is some kind of profound message there.



At the Safe Harbor Marina in Plymouth, many of these boats will soon be removed from the water and stored on land for the long winter days ahead. The Mayflower II is visible in the distance at dock.



The Mayflower II is getting ready for winter, too. The dingy dock that would normally be in the foreground is gone and almost all the boats normally at their buoys in the harbor at right are gone to spend the winter on land.



I don't often see the harbor water calm but, here it is with just the receding rolling ripples from a passing boat to add another pretty element to the scene.



Maybe it's like this in other seasons but, I notice it more in fall - a special quality of late afternoon light as it is here on the way back home through Chiltonvillle, a village of Plymouth. 

It's a special place this Plymouth area.

State House, Downtown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

I just happened to be in downtown Boston when the U.S. presidential election results were announced. Spontaneous celebrations and screaming and horn-honking broke out on and around the Boston Common and surrounding areas - including the Massachusetts State House which borders the north side of the Common.



Demonstrators for both sides came out to scream and wave at each other - mostly scream.

Impassioned speeches were made by many at the event.



As voices became more heated, the Boston Police bicycle brigade showed up to set a line and ensure the folks didn't get too rowdy.



As the police line formed and strengthened, I found myself on the wrong side of it. I think it was because of my old man invisibility cloak they just didn't see me and push me back.

Out and About, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Although we still have some beautiful warm beach days to enjoy this year, there aren't many people around on White Horse Beach but......



.....the gulls seem to appreciate having the place to themselves. Manomet Point is in the distance.



A lone walker on White Horse Beach.



Looking out over Manomet Beach. Stage Point is in the distance.



Heading back inland, the falling pine needles are carpeting the woods.



The late afternoon slanting light makes for great long shadows.



And slowly, the unraked leaves cover the remaining green.



A quiet walk along the bluff. Just past the bushes on the left is the ocean.

Fall - Out and About, Sagamore, Manomet, Ellisville, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

 

The Sagamore Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal had great cloud formations which combined with the low sun angle to create an eerie out of this world light quality.



A swan enjoying the peaceful Rabbit Pond in Manomet.



A lone roller blade enthusiast on the nearly deserted seven mile Cape Cod Canal trail. A different perspective with the sun behind me.



A quiet picnic table beckons in Ellisville State Park.

Fall - A Boston Walk, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

It's unusual to have a few inches of snow on the ground while the leaves are still in full fall color on the trees.



Such was the case on my recent 16,000+ step walk in downtown Boston.



In the Rose Kennedy Greenway.



In the Boston Common.



In the Public Garden.



In the Public Garden.

In the Commonwealth Avenue mall in the Back Bay.



The Custom House tower rises up in the background.

A vendor stand at the Haymarket.

Snow covered chairs in the North End.

Alfresco dining in the North End.



Like public parks in cities in many places in the world, the Arepas, Italian Sausage, and candied nut vendors are always out on Boston Common.

Water, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

This area of New England has been experiencing an extreme drought over the past months. Of course, all looks normal along the ocean coast in downtown Plymouth. The tides come and the tides go.



The refurbished Mayflower II is back in its home in Plymouth Harbor. Imagine sailing the cold North Atlantic 400 years ago on the original version of this boat for 10 weeks in the fall with 100 other people.



As this pond illustrates, many of the smaller ponds in the area have almost turned into mudholes with the lack of rain.

Fall - Beaver Dam Conservation Area, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I enjoy living in a town that makes it a priority to designate and protect natural spaces.

Fall - A Boston Walk, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

It was a perfect day for a wander in downtown Boston. Perhaps my last opportunity to see the fall color for this year.



Starting at Post Office Square, I walked 15,000 steps to the Common, the Public Garden, west on Commonwealth Avenue, back east on Newbury Street, through the Common, through Quincy Market, the Haymarket, the North End and finally back to Post Office Square. Whew.

Public Garden.

Commonwealth Avenue mall. The buildings on the left always remind me of old world cities.

Relaxing in the Commonwealth Avenue mall.



Commerce along Newbury Street - a popular shopping and dining destination before the pandemic, slowly making a recovery.



Newbury Street.



Outdoor dining at the Quincy Market.