Had a neat day yesterday. At 8:15. Susan, Barb, and I left for Wells Mills. Two vans from the Park Service were waiting, the tour guide greeted us (and the other 15 or so women and one man), and we piled in. This was a "Lincoln tour"--I had had no idea his antecedents lived in Jersey--and I was surprised when we drove up to within a few miles of Alison's, crossing from Ocean to Monmouth County. This is horse country, complete with rolling hills and grand estates--and lots of well-groomed horsies grazing in the fields.
Our first stop was a crumbling stone wall out in the country. The guide told us this is what's left of the blacksmith shop of one of Lincoln's ancestors--I think a great-uncle. We were then whisked off to Imlaystown where another antecedent of Lincoln's had a mill. The next excursion was right down my alley: An old, old graveyard up on a wooded hill. We had to navigate a narrow path strewn with rocks and roots (and an occasional mound of horseshit), but the reward was a remote and beautiful collection of old gravestones, including those of Lincoln's early relatives.
After that, we drove to Walnford Farm, only a few miles from Alison's. I had been on the grounds before, but this was the full tour. We ate our lunches first, sitting at picnic tables near the barn, then were given over to a very informative, articulate tour guide. She took us to the mill on the property and demonstrated how corn, rye, and wheat had been processed in early times. This was followed by a tour of the large, beautifully restored, 18th-century house. Our last stop was at the serene and lovely cemetery where the first Lincoln antecedent, Robert Salter, is buried. Having had a strong interest in cemeteries, tombstones, and epitaths for many years, I greatly enjoyed this. In fact, the day combined some of my favorite things: an outing with good friends, cemeteries, an historic property, and a gorgeous fall day, not too hot, with brilliant sunshine.
Later: Well, ha-ha--I think. Just back from WW and this week, lost exactly .4--that's point four, four-tenths of a pound, or a tad under a half. Okay, the elusive 40 pound/150s marks remain just out of reach, as I'm now at 160.2, with 39.4 off. I'm wryly amused and a bit puzzled--really didn't deviate at all this week--but, of course, am okay with it and look forward to reaching these milestones next time.