How could you not want to visit an area with the name “by the sea” in its name? It sounds like the name of an idyllic setting from a novel. And the town lives up to that description. I passed by several fruit, vegetable and flower stands as well as signs to watch out for people riding horses. The houses and town also had a very Norman Rockwell feel.
I wasn’t sure how the footing and appearance of the park would be given the recent snowy weather and icy conditions on many of the trails at other parks. As it turned out, most of the ice and snow on the trails had melted and I only had to manage some small patches of ice and mud from the melted snow.
The trails are clearly marked and easy to walk. There are no steep inclines and the paths are wide enough to accommodate the throng of visitors.
There are a few trails that meander slightly off the trail. But one trail simply leads to the street and is behind a bunch of cattails so you really can’t view much of the pond. The other stupid trail goes to a thorny, rocky dead end.
As you walk on the main trail, you will pass Clarke Pond on your left. It was partially frozen and there were some ducks and geese milling around. I also got a few shots off them dunking for lunch. The gulls in the first photo looked like big blocks of snow at first glance. I especially like how the mom and dad duck kept the baby duckling close to them.
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There were many breath taking views of the pond. I especially like how the frozen parts of the pond break with the unfrozen sections.
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To the right of the main trail, I found a side road with a pond that channels into Clarke Pond. There were a variety of ducks and geese in this pond.
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I met a lot of friendly and cool people at Coolidge. Shapoo was one of the cool and friendly folks I met (the name is a mix of shih tzu and poodle) .
Much to my consternation, I was unable to find the Ocean Lawn which offers views of the Boston skyline and Cape Cod as well as scenic views of the water. I totally missed the boat on that one as there are some great views and opportunities for some great shots from there. But, to the left of the trail, Magnolia Beach more than made up for it which I will post about very soon…click here to read about my visit to Magnolia Beach.
There are about a dozen parking spaces in the main parking lot. If needed, you can also park on the side of the road by the parking lot.
Cost: Free
Hours: open daily, sunrise to sunset
Before you even begin climbing the ascent to Signal Hill, the views from the parking lot are astounding.
Besides the historical significance (it used to be the home to the Paleo-Americans who settled on what would become the Neponset River) and the active wildlife (hawks are said to nest there and many amphibians inhabit the area by the river), Signal Hill also offers grand views of the Boston Skyline, Blue Hills and the Neponset River Valley.
The hill to the scenic outlook at Signal Hill is modest at best. It should only take 10 minutes to go from the parking lot to the outlook.
The views are worth the short hike.
The scenic overlook has some pretty trees and rocks.
One of the charming features of Signal Hill is the short loop (1.6 miles) at the base of the hill. After climbing and trudging along so many long and steep hills, it’s refreshing to be able to take a leisurely stroll along the clearly defined trail. There are also trails that veer off a little.
Off the main trail there is a canoe launch site on the Neponset River. The upstream launch site goes to Norwood (MA) while the downstream site leads to Milton (MA).
Since there is little traffic on the road, the road to Signal Hill is popular with joggers and cyclists.
I met Charley during my visit. He was having fun playing in what remained of the snow on the trail.
Hours 8 a.m. – 8 p..m. (during the regular season, open without staff during the off season)
There are about 10-20 parking spots by the main entrance but there is a parking lot across the street for overflow traffic (watch out for the holes and bumps in the lot)
Cost: Free but it may cost to put a boat or other watercraft in the lake
“Massabesic” (pronounced Mass-A-Bee-Sick) is a Native American word for “place of much water” or “near the great brook”. True to its translation, Massabesic Lake Watershed is definitely a place where you will find much water, albeit frozen. Manchester Airport is nearby so it is not uncommon to see a plane fly by as is evident in one of the photos in the slideshow below.
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Normally, I would consider visiting a lake, pond or any body of water during the winter something of a waste. Little did I realize though, lakes can be as much fun in the winter as they are during the summer.
A sign on the trail in Massabesic Lake warns you to stay on the trail. This is partly because the houses are so close to the trail. Also, you have to cross busy roadways at some points to continue on the trail.
There were people ice fishing (the orange flags on the poles in the water stick up when they get a bite). Since Lake Massabesic is used as a watershed, people are not allowed to swim or put their bodies in the water. But, you can fish, sail and canoe on the lake.
There were people sailing on their ice boats. You can hear the gentleman talking to me in the video below. Are there any friendlier people on this planet than the people of New Hampshire?
or relaxing in their favorite chair
The Massabesic Lake is home to a trail that leads to Portsmouth, NH as part of the Rockingham Recreational Trail. As much as I love Portsmouth, I wasn’t up for hiking that far (The Rockingham Recreational Trail is 26 miles total). It is called a “Rail Trail” because it used to be part of the railway system and was converted over to a trail. It is very popular with cyclists. The cyclist pictured below had wide tires, presumably to deal with all off the ice as it was very icy. He is a braver man than I. There is also a 4 mile loop at the lake.
Overall, I would rate the trails I hiked easy to moderate in some parts. The only hard part was dealing with the ice on the trails. It went from being very easy to manage to downright dangerous due to the icy conditions. As the snow melted in the morning it turned to mud, then iced over again. During the morning hours, the ice was melting at a rapid pace. Then, a few hours later, you could walk on the lake again because the temperatures dropped so much. While the weather was warmish (by New Hampshire standards), you could hear the ice making noises as it melted. You may be able to hear the “groaning” noises in the video below.
I did manage to walk out on the ice myself, after seeing everyone else out there first of course.
Meet Jackson, a Siberian husky. Jackson has one blue eye and one brown eye. I tried to photograph his eyes but he was blinking when the photo was taken. You may be able to see his different colored eyes if you zoom in on the first photo. He was very playful and friendly and what about that smile in the second photo!
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Price: $20 for adults, $10 for children (ages 3-11) and seniors (over 65)
This was a special cruise and is not something they do regularly in the winter. During the spring, summer and fall they have cruises scheduled regularly.
Twenty degree weather and an impending winter storm; what better conditions for a harbor cruise. Ironically, that statement could not be more accurate.
We were greeted by gulls and rough seas when we arrived at the wharf.
As we made our way on to the boat for and they announced the cruise would be a three hour tour (in retrospect, that Gilligan’s Island reference should have been a bad omen), I was surprised by how roomy, comfortable and modern it was. The three story boat had booths on the sides of the cabin area and ample seating.
Even before we left the wharf I took some shots of the bay. You can see Logan Airport in the distance in some of the photos.
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As the boat left the bay, I took some obligatory photos of the skyline.
I had to bundle up (and hold on tight to the railing) for the shoot. I was surprised at how well I handled the overly active ocean. I’ve never been particularly fond of roller coasters, wavy oceans or anything that moves to and fro quickly. But, I did fine. The only time I felt a tinge of sickness was when a fellow traveler described his own feelings of sea sickness (gee, thanks random stranger). But, that quickly passed.
There was a variety of sea life, although the choppy waters made it difficult to photograph all of them. DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation) officials were on the boat with binoculars on the lookout for wildlife and other points of interest and announcements were made whenever a bird or other animal was sighted.
I did photograph this Eider as he swam with friends.
and a few other elusive birds.
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Even though it was a cruise for wildlife viewing some of the best views were of the harbor and the islands.
This is Spectacle Island. Spectacle Island was made entirely from the dirt from the huge construction project known as the “Big Dig”. it is much prettier during the summer.
These are some photos of Boston Light. Boston Light is the first Lighthouse in America. It is still working today.
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The Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant began operations in 1995. It is clearly the jewel of Boston Harbor. Prior to the construction of the sewage plant, sewage from Boston’s treatment facilities had contaminated shellfish after the sewage had been released. Lunch, anyone?
These structures are what is left of the bridge to Long Island (not the one in NY – we didn’t go out that far). It was dismantled recently. Personally, I think they should keep them. They make for a good background for photography.
Below is a slideshow of some of the other shots from my cruise. It was very windy and the sea was pretty choppy. I tried to capture this in the photos.
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Finally, I found a cute furry animal named Bailey to photograph when I disembarked from the boat.
See below for videos of the cruise to get a better idea of just how windy it was.
Although the area is mostly known for being the home of the New England Patriots and its adjacent marketplace, Patriot Place has another impressive attraction – The Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog. Admission to the trail and bog is free and the parking is ample evident by the photo below. You can also park in the lots in front of the store and walk down to the trail.
From the entrance the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog greets you with a charming sitting area and pretty trees.
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Although most of the vegetation is dead (save for a few stubborn blueberries and cranberries), a thin layer of ice covered most of the pond and the trees are bare this time of the year, the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog at Patriot Place in Foxboro, MA, is just as beautiful in the winter as it is during the summertime.
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Located directly behind the expansive Bass Pro Shop, the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog is a .5 mile loop with a 3 percent grade and some inclines as much as 12 percent.
It is a mostly dirty trail with a few boardwalks and bridges. There are two benches in the middle of the first walking bridge. Overall, it is an easy to semi-moderate trail. I saw people of all age groups handle the trail, inclines and all, with little difficulty.
I found this strange, creepy looking branch or alien arm protruding from the ice.
An extra bonus for any Patriots fan is you can see Gillette Stadium (the stadium the Patriots play in) from the main road on the way to the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog. You can also catch a quick glimpse of some of the stadium from the entrance to trail and bog.
After finishing the loop, I met Chandler, a beautiful 6 year old tri-colored English Setter (thank you for the clarification, Adam).
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When I first started my blog my intention was to photograph and create a journal of my trips in the New England area. It wasn’t until I went on my first photography shoot that I realized just how proud people are of their pets. And they should be. In fact, the only thing cuter than the dogs I have photographed is the reaction of the owners when I ask them if I can photograph their pooch. They are most often thrilled or at least flattered. Only one person has declined to let me photograph their dog and that was because the person I asked was walking someone else’s dog.
So, please enjoy the dogs of 2015. I look forward to photographing many more in 20116!
When most people think of Newport, Rhode Island, they undoubtedly think of the ornate historic mansions. But, there is another gem in Newport – Easton’s Beach.
I was greeted by these Canadian Geese upon my arrival.
A short drive from the mansions, Easton’s Beach is less than a mile long. But, what it may lack in size it makes up in charm and beauty.
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The gulls, who were in abundance at the beach, are not shy.
Easton’s Beach is also a popular destination for sea loving dogs. I met Jack during my visit.
Parking was ample during my visit. But I suspect it fills up quickly during the warmer seasons. You do not need to feed the meters in the off season. After May 1st and until Oct. 31st parking fees are in effect (parking at an on-street metered space is limited to a maximum of three hours and the rate is $1.25 per hour and the meters located on Memorial Blvd. near Easton’s Beach are $2 per hour). It’s definitely worth the 2 clams if you’re in the area.
Named after Frank Winsor, the chief engineer of the construction project, the Winsor Dam section of the Quabbin Reservoir is a mecca for nature lovers, outdoors people and anyone who just wants to get out for a walk along the largest inland body of water in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
If there is one word that best describes the Winsor Dam it would be peaceful.
The easy to moderate walking trails are surrounded by rolling hills and crystal blue water
I missed the foliage season. But, you can still see the colors peaking from the tree tops.
The staff at the Quabbin Reservoir use these boats as part of their gull harassment program to limit the pollutants from the birds.
Located about a half an hour from Springfield, MA and an hour and a half west of Boston, MA, Quabbin Reservoir supplies water to three towns west of the reservoir and acts as the backup supply for three other towns. There was a seasonal fall breeze during my visit which created pretty ripples on the water.
Quabbin Reservoir is expansive (it has an area more than 38 and a half miles). It is separated by different dams and sections. There is a pretty walking bridge that you can use to visit some of the other areas. There are some great views from the bridge.
The distance between dams are more than a mile. So, it is often a good idea to drive to the different parts of the reservoir.
One of the many great things about the area is that after you cross the bridge there are trails and a creek which people use to fish. I got my first two ticks of the season taking these photos, so you’re welcome!
The water is green in some places and it is so clear you can see the trout and other fish that inhabit the water.
There are also a variety of bird life at Quabbin Reservoir. I caught these titmouse on the trail (ok I laughed a little when I wrote that)
Dogs aren’t allowed at Quabbin reservoir. I did see one dog that was “in training”, though.
After visiting Plimoth Plantation, the next obvious destination was the Mayflower II. The Mayflower II, an exhibit of the Plimoth Plantation, is a replica of the original Mayflower. It is located only a few miles from Plimoth Plantation in the Frazier Memorial State Pier.
Before you board the boat, you are informed the people on the boat are still living in the 17th century. They are not aware of cellphones, automobiles or any other modern day comforts. There is a replica of the Mayflower Compact in the entrance to the boarding area.
Actors on the boat discuss the duties of crew members and portray people from that era. This man reminded me of James Franco, particularly because of his dry sense of humor.
The quarters of the Mayflower were not the most comfortable. Not exactly Carnival Cruise.
The views from the harbor were very pretty.
Meet Porsche, a service dog I saw as I was leaving the pier.
Deep in the woods of Carver Mass is a land of yore. At least during the fall. It is during the weekends of September and October when King Richard’s Faire takes over the woods of Carver, or as they dub it during the faire, “Carvershire”.
The great thing about King Richard’s Faire is that you need not be a medieval history enthusiast or a larper to enjoy the faire.
There are activities such as ax throwing, no that isn’t a typo, face painting and a variety of performers to keep people of all ages entertained.
And then, there were the shows. This particular rendition of “Snow White” was actually portrayed as Snow White’s cousin, Carrie. That’s right Carrie White of the famous Stephen King horror novel and movie, “Carrie.”
Everything starts out seemingly harmlessly as the cast retells the story of Carrie.
And her “friends” who decide to sabotage her prom (spoiler alert if you haven’t seen the movie or read the book).
Keeping true to the plot, Carrie is crowned prom queen.
Then, cue, the “pigs mud” (they want to keep it “family friendly”)
All hell breaks lose as Carrie unleashes her wrath (just like in the movie)
Then, weirdly, they all become friends again in the end.
Jacques Ze Whippeur gave a great performance with his whipping skills. He asked the audience to name a song and he was able to keep the beat to the song by cracking his whip and singing the lyrics. He did this with songs from groups such as Journey and even the theme song to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
The actors at King Richard’s Faire reenact the days of knights (I couldn’t help but think of the obvious similarity to the characters in Monty Python’s Holy Grail movie)
magicians (with their assistants)
wizards
fair maidens
and more
And, yes, visitors do come to the faire dressed in their own garb.
One of the highlights was the jousting contest.
But, the best part of the event was the pirates and fairies costume show.
Although pets aren’t normally allowed in the faire, an exception was made for Lionitus because he is a service dog.
If you’re in the Massachusetts area and you want to go, this upcoming weekend (Oct 24th and 25th) is the last chance to see it before it closes for the season and you will have to wait until 2016. If you can’t go this weekend, I’ll see you there next year!
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New England Nomad 