Today is Patriots’ Day. A state holiday observed in Massachusetts and Maine, commemorating the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War, which took place on April 19, 1775. Throughout the day today in Lexington and Concord there will be reenactments of this epic battle. But for those of you who cannot attend, I thought I’d share with you again the slightly skewed lesson I gave Asa during our visit this past fall to Battle Road Trail…
The Goldens Are Coming! The Goldens Are Coming! Listen my children and you shall hear of the midday walk of Chuck Billy! I decided that our recent trip to Battle Road Trail in Concord, Massachusetts was the perfect opportunity to teach Asa about the American Revolution. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that Asa had absolutely no interest in the historic markers I read to him. So I decided to get Asa focused on the lesson by making it more relatable. Asa and I were going to play the role of the British Soldiers, and the Squirrels would be the Colonists! After all, technically the Squirrels live there and we don’t. Also playing the role of the British wouldn’t be too far of a stretch because Asa is always getting asked if he is an “English Cream Golden Retriever,” which by the way he is NOT, but why not take the British perspective for the sake of learning.
Chuck Billy and Asa marching in formation two abreast down Battle Road.
Just like the British Soldiers 242 years before us, Asa and I were a formidable presence as we marched side by side down that country road towards Concord! From all directions we could see the Squirrel Colonists darting around us, but we were not to be deterred. After they passed us in one spot, being familiar with the landscape, the Squirrel Militia would quickly scurry ahead of us over the stonewalls and through the underbrush, only to pop up again to ambush us further along the trail. They even dropped acorns on our heads from the trees above! But undaunted we marched on, stopping only to visit the houses along the trail in the hopes of being petted by the park rangers. That’s when we realized not only were the Squirrels trying to defend their territory, they were also sounding the alarm to everyone that we were on our way. Try as we might, the houses were all empty. Just like on the afternoon of April 19, 1775, anticipating the clash of the British Soldiers with the Colonial Militia, many of the local residents left the area. Those Squirrel Colonists sure know how to hurt a Golden…oops I mean a British Soldier, by scaring everyone away so no one would pet us!
No one was home at Captain William Smith’s house.
With emotions running high, the Golden Troops began to fall apart. Trying to restore order, second-in-command Mom, ordered Asa to wear his gentle leader head halter so he would stop pulling ahead and endangering the troops by dragging her along. Outnumbered by the Squirrels and exhausted with aching paws, we soon decided it would be best to return to our car and drive to our ultimate destination, the Old North Bridge. There we stood guard waiting for the Squirrel Colonists to appear for battle. But they never showed up. Instead all we saw were two other Golden Retrievers crossing the bridge, and plenty of people to pet us. Declaring the British Soldiers won the battle we headed home, triumphant in conquering Battle Road from the Colonists!
I must say, I’m rather impressed with how well my lesson went. Ok, so my facts may have been wrong, and Asa now thinks the British won the Battles at Lexington and Concord. But that’s a minor detail in the greater goal of getting him interested in history! Besides, if Maine native Henry Wadsworth Longfellow could use poetic license when retelling the events of April 19, 1775 in “Paul Revere’s Ride,” why can’t I?
In the distance you can see the two Goldens passing over North Bridge, with no Squirrels to stop them. We won!
[Editor’s Note: If you’d like to learn the real history of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, we suggest visiting this dog friendly scenic walk. Throughout the trail there are informational signage and during the on-season many of the historic homes offer tours and historic reenactments. Please note though, that dogs are not allowed in the houses, and that there is gunfire during the reenactments. For a review of our scenic walk at Battle Road Trail, complete with directions, please visit our Dog Friendly Places page.]
