Photos by Cheryl Landes

Damon Pond in the Willard Brook State Forest is a nice place to stop and take a short break during a drive in northcentral Massachusetts. There’s a short walk along the beach and a cute covered pedestrian bridge across Willard Brook.

The pond is a popular place for swimming in the summer. The changing colors of the trees is a scenic treat in the fall.

Damon Pond is two miles southeast of the town of Ashby on Massachusetts Route 119 and 55 miles northeast of Boston.

Route 119 is a scenic drive and extends into southwestern New Hampshire. The road passes a variety of quaint villages in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, such as Fitzwilliam and Winchester, and the Ashuelot Covered Bridge.