On our Saturday, Carla and I explored Groton, not far from Ginger’s and Elliott’s home. Autumn colors were resplendent.

Fall beauty

The Groton Cemetery especially attracted us

Groton Cemetery gate from 1903

with its vibrant reds and oranges.

Cemetery colors

It would have been a good spot for Hallowe’en spookiness.

Grave markers

Crypt

The angels provided protection from evil spirits, and we safely departed.

Protecting angel

We next found the sign on Main Street in the town of Groton markng the approximate location of the home of Captain James Parker in the 1600s. Elliott tells us that Captain Parker is one of our Riggs ancestors and sheltered Elliott’s own ancestors from an Indian attack.

Captain Parker’s residence marker

While in Groton, we bought some lunch pastries and tasty soft cheese at Bliss Bakery and Market. In the building behind the bakery, we also toured this model townhome.

We drove back to LIttleton through the town of Ayer, stopping in a parking lot with this view to eat our lunch.

Burned building

That night, Elliott and Ginger took us to a lecture by artist Brian Kershisnik at the LDS chapel in Belmont, MA, near the Boston Temple. We’d seen Kershisnik paintings on Utah visits and enjoyed his illustrated lecture. Downstairs in the cultural hall, some artwork by local artists was being displayed and sold.

Driving In a drizzle after leaving the chapel, we were able to pass by  and, for Carla and I, catch our first-ever sight of the lighted Boston Temple.