If he were alive today, he might find them almost within walking distance of Walden Pond.

Walden Pond in 1987: a state recreation center drawing up to 5,000 people a day for swimming and picnicking in the summer.

"You hear about the body found this morning out by Walden Pond?"

"What a horrible thing to happen upon when you're minding your own business at Walden Pond."

In such a manner, Thoreau was able to meet all his living expenses at Walden Pond by working just six weeks a year.

Walden Pond itself, rescued from development in the 1990's, is still very much there, a wide, deep basin of dark water set among trees.

He read about the wild mice around Walden Pond, the battle of the ants, and the cat who grew wings every winter.

You can just sit there and meditate like Walden Pond.

In 1842 a new railroad to Fitchburg was used to access the ice at Walden Pond.

Development in and around Walden Pond, she said, has turned this cultural symbol into a travesty.