World's End

I am 10 business days into unemployment and trying to fill each one with something fun. For five of them I was enjoying my visit to San Diego and ignoring (blissfully) my current job status. Unfortunately I am now at home, whiling away the hours simultaneously watching old Daily Show episodes and searching for jobs online. I'm waiting for the day when the temp agency finally finds me a job.

So on Friday I trekked over to the MFA to see the new "Degas and the Nude" exhibit. Many moons ago, when I was still employed, I decided to become a member of the MFA. I really enjoy the museum and frankly it makes me feel knowledgeable and educated. I will eventually see every room in that building and on Friday I spent some time really exploring the Ancient Egypt and Roman halls.

Yesterday I drove all the way out to World's End, a Trustees site that I still have free access to with my employee ID card. The property is in Hingham on the south coast and from it you can see Boston in the distance. I had heard it was gorgeous and I was itching to do some light hiking somewhere pretty.

World's End is a Frederick Law Olmsted creation with winding carriageways and beautiful old trees. The property was owned by a wealthy guy who decided he wanted a subdivision created there for other wealthy people. He hired Olmsted to design the landscape and create the winding roads. The subdivision was never created and there are now about four miles of pathways that tons of people use each year for walking/running/family time.

The fall colors were absolutely beautiful and the sinking sun set the marsh grass on fire. It was chilly and very windy but I still got in an hour and a half of walking and exploring. This year's fall has kind of sucked, with the leaves turning at weird times and not coordinating nicely for us leaf-peepers. Even so, the site still gave me a glimpse of yellow/red/orange that I love so much this time of year.