Month: May 2019

Hiking, Biking, Running & Walking Trails, Oh My!

Author’s Note: Spring is finally here! While I am a big fan of winter due to alpine recreation, the holidays and the mesmorizing look of a blanket of fresh snow, I’m ready for spring. Now that the April showers have (hopefully) passed for lots of May flowers, I’ve dusted off my list of trails to explore, golf courses to divot-up, and beaches and ponds to soak in once the temperature creeps higher. Staying with trail exploration, most avid outdoors explorers wouldn’t think of Cape Cod as a place for challenging, if not stunning trails; those locations are reserved for the Green, White, Rocky, Appalachian and Cascade Mountains. Or the national parks. That assumption would be a mistake. From the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail (former railroad byway that is now paved), to miles of wooded Audubon grassy paths, to pine needle saturated fire roads, to beach dune trails, Cape Cod has plenty of trails (over 100 public trails) to keep you, your family, and your pet, enjoying the outdoors. 

Below is a mix of popular, quiet and “tucked away” trails for your next hike, bike, walk or run. Pack that camera and let’s go!  

Popular Trails (The “Go To’s”)

The Sagamore Bridge looms in the distance of the Cape Cod Canal.

Cape Cod Canal, Bourne. Perhaps one of the most iconic settings on Cape Cod, the Army Corps of Engineers-built Cape Cod Canal separates the mainland from the 65-mile peninsula. With one of the three bridges in seemingly constant view, the eye-catching entry point of Cape Cod could not be a better place for a paved trail on both sides of the canal. I hate to admit it, but when entering the “canal zone,” my goal is to get across the bridge as quickly as possible, rather than, say, stop at Herring Run Recreation Area, grab a picnic table and watch the boats pass; maybe even unload the bikes for a short pedal along the trail. To make me feel better, Ellen reminded me we stopped at the Seafood Shanty once last year on our way to the Cape – which means we had to take a left turn out of their parking lot into a four lane, 50 miles-per-hour de facto highway, which was a challenge to say the least. Come to think of it, I’ve ran in the Ragnar Relay Cape Cod since 2013, and two of the “exchanges” are along both sides of the canal. We also took a ride on the scenic Cape Cod Central Railroad for Octoberfest, which stops and turns around at the canal. Phew, glad to know I’ve spent some time at the canal after all.

The views are endless near Coast Guard Beach, Eastham.

Cape Cod National Seashore, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown. Most know the Cape Cod National Seashore for the 43,000 acres of protected woodlands, ponds and shoreline that can never be developed. Fortunately, the decision to protect the land from development does not mean the public is forbidden as well. There are countless trails of varying length, location and difficulty that explores the four-town (non-contiguous) areas. In Eastham, the Doane Trail is a paved twist-and-turn trail that leads you from the Salt Pond Visitor Center to Coast Guard Beach, with some breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. You can even “square the block” via car by taking Doane Road to Ocean View Drive (Eastham) back down Cable Road, and see four lighthouses  (Nauset Lighthouse & the decommissioned, but preserved Three Sisters Lighthouses) on the way. The National Seashore land is one of the Cape’s most treasured natural resources and there is no shortage of ways to explore. You can even volunteer to clear, maintain and repair the trails through the Friends of Cape Cod National Seashore — and their many projects. 

Relaxing at Le Count after completing the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail.

Cape Cod Rail Trail, Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet. One of my proudest (fun) moments on Cape Cod was completing the entire 22-mile stretch between Dennis to Wellfleet. Walking up the short parking lot and seeing PB Boulangerie was satisfying, indeed. It was a lot to bite off (pun intended) considering I don’t ride regularly, but it was a picture-perfect day. I even took a nap atop the dunes of Le Count Beach. The trail winds through six Cape Cod towns, where you pass bike shops, ponds, restaurants, conservation land, town centers, wood bridges, wetlands, picnic grounds and even a mini golf course (Arnolds!). There is no shortage of parking lots so you can pick and chose where to start and how long to ride. 

Between grassy, sandy and paved paths, you have plenty of options in Nickerson State Park.

Nickerson State Park, Brewster. While the 1,900 acre property has ample miles of trails, Nickerson State Park is known for its camping grounds. With over 400 camp sites, Nickerson State Park is set in pine and oak forests that slope down to the banks of eight crystal-clear fresh water ponds. The location is great if you want to sleep under the stars, but also don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere. The park is sandwiched between Routes 6A and 6. Also, on the north end of the property, is Brewster Day Camp, where my brother was a lifeguard for two summers during college. Between the two of us, we’ve covered much of the paved trails training for various races or just getting the blood pumping before a lazy day at the beach.

The view from the stairs down to White Crest Beach, Wellfleet.

Ocean View Drive, Wellfleet. If only the road was a few feet higher…Most of the views are of an expansive sky, tall dunes and surrounding protected woods, until the beach parking lot entrances give you a peek-a-boo view of the majestic Atlantic Ocean, well below the dunes. This 3-mile road provides access to four of Wellfleet’s Beaches, Le Count, White Crest, Cahoon Hollow (and the beloved Beach Comber) and Newcomb Hollow. It was also the highly coveted “Exchange 31” of the Ragnar Relay Cape Cod, because of the stunning ocean views, gentle breeze and mostly flat elevation. Indeed, you will find walkers, runners and bikers a like cruising the road year-round, which I noticed one of the many times turning off Route 6 to instead, take this road East whenever in the area. Don’t confuse the streets; there is an Ocean View Drive in Eastham and one in Wellfleet (they are not connected). 

“Tucked Away”

Chasing fellow runners during a 5K on a fire road off Ocean View Drive in Eastham.

Fire Roads, Eastham. For years, I’ve driven, ran or biked by many fire roads (trails through the Cape Cod National Seashore woodlands for emergency use) while criss-crossing the beaches of Eastham, Wellfleet and Truro. Then in 2018, when running in the Healthy Hearts, Healthy Parks 5K, the second half of the course turned onto a fire road trail adjacent to Cable Road. The change in perspective was sudden, stark and well, stunning. The sounds of the ocean and from the road immediately disappeared upon entering the dense forest. After a few minutes, I literally had no idea what direction I was headed or where I was going to pop out; in someone’s backyard, onto Route 6, into Nauset Bay? (I popped out on Nauset Road.) There are miles and miles of Fire Roads littered across the National Seashore woods, so just pick one and check it out. Just make sure to stay on the trail!

The only sounds at Frost Fish Creek are birds chirping and twigs snapping as you walk by.

Frost Fish Creek Trail, North Chatham. Talk about tucked away, we passed the little dirt road to access the trail head twice before finally seeing the opening after the bridge. The lower part of the trail parallels the creek almost in its entirty, with a few log benches that dot the trailside positioned in front of faint openings in the brush for a better view of the water. The upper loop is perfect for a trail run due to the “peaks and valleys”. There are two other entry points to the trail, both in residential neighborhoods, of which we had to check out to see if we could tell where we were. (We could not.) The short loop took less than 30 minutes, just enough time to burn off the calories consumed at breakfast.

“Peace and Quiet”

A sandy dune path leading toward Stage Harbor in Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.

Monomoy Wildlife Refuge, Chatham. Monomoy has always been a special place to wander the shoreline, follow the wooden plank path or pick a dune trail for a little solitude. For a place with such natural beauty, Monomoy is never crowded and is a great way to get off the grid. By continuing along the sandbar, you are literally walking into Nantucket Sound. Just pay attention to the tides or you’ll get either stranded or very wet. In the summer of 2011, its significance in my life increased exponentially as Ellen and I got engaged on the shoreline. It is also a great place to bring your dog before May 1 or after September 15 (though there is one spot between the private beach and Monomoy’s west boundary that is dog friendly). You can even spot a few hearty folks clamming during low tide.

Be “shore” (pun intended) to cruise Shore Road into Provincetown for a charming view of Pilgrim Monument and the end of Cape Cod.

Province Lands Bike Trail, Provincetown. Years back, I just happened to have my Trek 8000 mountain bike in the trunk and decided to finally make a run up to the P-Town trails. Glad I did. The Province Lands is an expansive area of brush pine forest featuring a paved trail network near Race Point. If your activity on the trails doesn’t get your blood bumping, try walking to the Old Harbor Life Saving Station while bracing a biting headwind. It’s also common to see whales off shore from the beach in the shoulder seasons. There is plenty of parking and you will even see the occasional plane buzz overhead from the municipal airport. Pro tip: If you like charming beachfront cottages and motels of yesteryear, take Shore Road (off Route 6) through Truro to P-Town. It may add 5-10 minutes to your drive, but the sights and views are vintage Cape Cod (queue Patty Paige).

One of the many sandy pathways at Thompson’s Field, Harwich.

Thompson’s Field Conservation Area, Harwich. I was tipped off to check out these trails by Sean from Chatham Perk, as another hidden gem in plain sight. Sean is actually one of the happiest and toughest dudes on the Lower Cape. Last year, my favorite brewed coffee was inadvertently not brewed one morning (such a first world travesty!). Upon learning this “Sean to rescue,” brewed it within 15 minutes and gave it to me on the house for the inconvenience. This dude also bikes to work each day, from Dennis to North Chatham, a cool 12 miles or 40 minutes. He’s dabbling as a trainer and it’s no surprise why – perhaps agility classes will take place at Thompson’s Field. This 56-acre wooded trail network features both sandy and grassy pathways with a few dedicated trailheads for a longer loop. The Cape Cod Rail Trail actually cuts right through the middle of the park, which makes popping in and out from the paved path a nice option. One of the two open fields are surrounded by bird feeders, so beware the binoculars! At 8:00am on Saturday mornings, the upper field becomes a dog meet-up – and chaos reigns. Parking can be tight (off Chatham Road), but there is a second lot on the other side of the property. Thompson’s Field is perfect for a light trail run, easy walk and most importantly, is dog friendly.

I’ve also heard or read good things about other trails including the Great Marsh Audubon Sanctuary, Barnstable; Ashumet Holly Audubon Sanctuary, Falmouth; Long Pasture Audubon Sanctuary, Barnstable; Skunkett River Audubon Sanctuary, Barnstable; Town of Barnstable Trails; Shining Sea Bikeway, North Falmouth;  Wellfleet Bay Audubon Sanctuary, South Wellfleet.   

TT: Nest of Eggs Mystery Solved (West Hartford, CT)

Author’s Note: Social media (Facebook to be exact) reminded me of a very special one-year anniversary: the day we discovered a nest of eggs in our backyard. This edition of “Throwback Thursday” (TT) commemorates an innocent Facebook post on the “Neighbors and Friends Facebook Group Page” that turned the town of West Hartford upside down for 4 days! Join me in a fun little trip down memory lane.

The mysterious nest of eggs in our backyard that turned a large CT town upside down.

“Life is so full of unpredictable beauty and strange surprises.” No truer words could describe the last few weeks in a backyard of West Hartford – and on social media. A few weeks ago, my wife and I came home to find (more later on why that word is important) a mysterious nest of six eggs in our backyard. Yes, we are the “WeHa Nest of Eggs” people. Following a long winter and various nor’easters (or lack thereof), a yard clean-up crew inadvertently cleared away brush that had been concealing the nest of eggs. As you could imagine, we were surprised and perplexed about the who, what, and when. 

While my wife and I are admittedly nature novices (we still enjoy reading those tree markings on walks along the reservoir), we were sure that this nest needed to be re-concealed to protect against predators and the elements as mama was nowhere to be found. Though, we also recalled a caution about human scents potentially driving away nesting mothers, so decided to get a second opinion from our neighbors who happened to be outside. They too were puzzled. The next logical step, of course, was to pose the question to a larger audience of neighbors, and the Neighbors and Friends of West Hartford Facebook group came to mind. We took a quick picture of the nest, posted it on the webpage and asked for feedback on egg type and whether or not to re-cover. This is the part where words matter.

Another egg! I am not a monster after all. Phew.

The next morning, I awoke to a text message from a friend and police officer in town that said “your WeHa egg post has more comments on it than the town budget article.”  And boy was he right. Within 24 hours, there were 190 comments ranging from guesses on the egg type, to humorous quips about preferring eggs “over easy”, ridiculous gifs of raptor eggs hatching, to serious comments about ensuring the nest was undisturbed (of course our intention). In my haste to post the picture and seek comments, I used the word “un-covered” instead of “found” when describing how the eggs were discovered, and some interpreted that to mean a careless invasion and disruption of the nest. Indeed, words matter and chose them carefully on social media. Fortunately, that afternoon, we came home to another egg (7), which confirmed that the nest was not disturbed and Mama returned. I immediately posted the good news (and picture) in the group thread and found an excited audience. 

Wait a minute; what’s that; an EIGHTH egg!?! Dear Haters, this is one healthy nest!

The following morning, it was Groundhogs’ day all over again. Another egg (8), and another picture post to the group thread. An indication that this event was not a total joke was the comment, “I am in love with this story. Please keep us updated.”  We now had an obligation to the community. The guesses continued to flow — and thank you Mayor Cantor for posting a comparison picture of similar looking eggs to help solve the puzzle. We also appreciated the multiple suggestions for an “egg cam” (live feed) for the much-anticipated hatchings.

Okay, okay, okay, we get it, nest was not effected by human interference. Who are you?!?!

By the weekend, you guessed it, another egg (9), picture post, and an appreciation of where the whole a dozen of eggs thing comes from. And then it happened. We were sitting on the deck during the warmest part of the day, when all of a sudden a flying object buzzed past us, landing right next to the nest. Mama was home! We remained frozen, not wanting to make a sound, but carefully stood up and locked eyes with Mama… Duck…settling in on top of her eggs. We were so surprised that this first encounter was not photographed, but on a return trip, we had the Canon Rebel T4i ready to go.

Mama! Finally! I had a feeling it was you.

The mystery was solved. Nine 9 eggs. One duck. Hundreds of neighbors engaged. Though the story may not be over as one follower suggested, “We are now all invested in the future ducklings,” so we may be headed to web cam land. I wonder what’s the best brand. Maybe I should ask for a second opinion on that Neighbors and Friends Facebook group!

BONUS SECTION-Part 2: What Happened to the Eggs?

That story is 100% true local (as local gets) news…for 4 days. Looking back, I wish I immediately purchased and set-up a live webcam so the followers could experience what was happening in my backyard at any time- especially, the hatching. Yes, the original article above lacks that information, as it didn’t happen for another 6 days. Here’s what we know; the day before the eggs hatched, my wife saw a green mallard near the nest that morning, but didn’t think much of it. When we arrived home from work, the eggs hatched and there was no sign of the ducklings, mama -or dad(?). We hoped it was a hatching and not an attack by a predator. I am happy to confirm it was the former. A week or so later, I was getting the mail and a neighbor drove by and stopped to chat. In the middle of our conversation – and out of the blue, she remembered, “Oh my God, I never told you, I saw a duckling in your driveway about a week ago!” Somehow that information was never relayed back to us (we’re all busy, right?), but it was an unprompted thought, so I am going with it as “what happened” to the ducklings. It’s a happy memory of a brief, yet crazy time in a little town in Connecticut.