Parking: There are about 50 parking spots. You shouldn’t have too much of a hard time finding parking unless there is an event or summer camp is in session
Size: 12 square miles
Time To Allot For Visit: I was there 5 hours and I still didn’t see everything but you can take in most of the best parts of the park in 2 to 3 hours
Dog Friendly: No, most Audubon parks are not dog friendly
Highlights: bodies of water, plentiful wildlife, pretty flowers and plants, observation tower, canoe rentals (if you’re a Mass Audubon member)
From the moment I walked to the visitor center at the Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, I encountered wildlife. In fact, I found this rabbit chewing on some greenery in the shrub by the office.
That is the great thing about Ipswich River Sanctuary. If you’re an animal lover, or even if you just like them a little, then you will love this place.
Not only are the animals abundant, they are also relatively friendly and not all that shy. Well, most of them weren’t too shy.
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The well-fed red squirrel let me get very close to him or her, so long as I didn’t affect his or her food supply. A lady who had been sitting there on the bridge wall before I arrived has been intentionally leaving seeds or some other type of food the squirrel was enjoying which allowed me to get some great shots. Thanks, random lady!
There are also a wide variety of bugs and other insects at the park. Bug spray and covering up are a must (I especially suggest a hat since one particular bug kept landing in my hair). And most bug sprays don’t stop all bugs. The black insect below was particularly menacing. Also, I never saw so many dragon flies in one spot as I did at Ipswich River Sanctuary but they were pretty harmless.
There are some beautiful views and plant life at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. The colors of the flowers really pop out and the trails are well defined. Many of these pretty features of the landscape were created 15,000 years ago by a glacier.
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You can also rent canoes, if you are a member, for $10/hour for a minimum of 2 hours. So, the cost is $20 or more. You pay for the canoes at the front office and then you have to lug the paddles and life vests along with a key to the where the canoes are locked up (about a half a mile or so away) at the canoe launch. The canoe launch is right next to where the canoes are locked up.
One thing I have seen at other parks that is present at Ipswich are bat boxes. These bat boxes are designed to give daytime roots for little brown bats. Bats are important because they eat lots of mosquitoes and other insects, the plaque next to the boxes explains (then get more bats there please). Little brown bats have been the victims of white nose syndrome,an illness which has been affecting brown bats while they hibernate during the winter. The cause is not yet known. So, the boxes are meant to give them a safe and convenient way for them to rest. The boxes were constructed by Eagle Scout Sean Enos and Boy Scout Troop 48 of Lynnfield, MA. The lumber was donate by a local business.
There is also an observation tower at Ipswich Wildlife Sanctuary. The three story tower built of wood is a little shaky but safe. The tower overlooks a swamp and meadow. There wasn’t much wildlife except for the very occasional bird (I included photos of the egret and other bird who landed in the water in the earlier slideshow). I think that is you had unlimited time and a lot of patience as well as a good set of binoculars (I didn’t have any of those things) you could see a few grand birds.
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One of the things I noticed and I had not seen before my trip to Ipswich are pink water lilies. I have seen white water lilies but never saw the pink water lilies until my visit there.
Like most Mass Audubon sanctuaries, the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is well kept and family friendly. The grounds are well manicured and there is even a play area for children. They also have a summer camp program where they teach children about nature in a fun and exciting way. All in all, the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is a fun and exciting place for people of all ages.
Location: 380 Corys Ln, Portsmouth, RI (about 15 minutes north of Newport, RI and 1 hour south of Boston, MA) (401) 683-1267
Hours: Open everyday 10-5 seasonally (May 21 – Oct. 10 this year but the dates may change each year)
Cost: $15.99 for adults, $6.99 for youth (ages 6-17). There are discounts available if you provide an AARP card (I’m not quite that oldyet) and if you have AAA and possibly if you’re in the military. Take note that the Green Gardens is considered part of the Newport Mansions and their prices are based on how many houses you visit. In this case, the price was based on a one house tour because there is only one mansion on the premises (the Brayton House)
Parking: Free parking for 24 vehicles
Dog Friendly: No (service dogs may be allowed)
Highlights: shrubs and bushes cut into shapes of animals and other shapes, pretty flowers and gardens, mansion (Brayton House)
If you think the grass is always greener on the other side, you’ve never been to the Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
Located adjacent to the Brayton house, the Green Animals display is the brainchild of gardener Joseph Carreiro. Carreiro began the topiary in 1905 and the 80 pieces of topiary have been in place at the garden ever since.
The topiary may be the main attraction. But the flowers and plants are also very pretty. In fact, as much as I loved the different shapes at the topiary, I found the flowers and the garden near the side of the topiary to be just as appealing.
The website states there are 80 different shapes sculpted into the greenery (although I don’t remember seeing that many). I have included the most interesting of these 80.
The Damask Rose Garden is featured at the entrance of the topiary.
The topiary has shapes of all kinds of animals. Like this giraffe.
with her/his baby giraffe (the black dot in this and some other photo is dirt on my sensor which I didn’t notice until after I got home unfortunately)
And this duck.
This is a growly bear (it is standing on its hind quarters)
Not all of the shapes are made in the image of creatures that are presently with us. This dinosaur was one of the scarier shapes in the garden.
This colorful shape is of a yew rooster
I don’t usually get this close to lions.
This swan peaked her head out among the other green animals.
This appears to be a bird
It was a little warm for a polar bear
Reindeers aren’t just in the North Pole.
There are even human shapes cut into the greenery. This human is riding a horse.
This police officer helped direct traffic around the green garden. I am not sure if he is affiliated with the Portsmouth department.
There’s even a mythical unicorn
This baby bear just wants a hug
There are even inanimate objects cut into the greenery. For instance, you can take a seat in this chair if you get tired (I am just kidding, you’re not allowed to climb and/or touch the greenery)
One of the few birds who actually sits still long enough for me to photograph him
I looked like this elephant was going to charge!
I don’t mean to boar you with this piece from the topiary.
The handout I received did not have a description for this shape. it appears to be a train.
This mommy and baby bear were sitting outside the Brayton mansion.
There is also a pet cemetery located at the topiary. Four pets of the owners are buried there. This section is very peaceful and decorative. The cemetery has a bench for sitting and reflecting and gravestones with the names of the deceased friends. It is very tranquil.
The flowers and garden are well kept and have some very vivid colors. I thought it was cute how they had “scarepeople” instead of scarecrows. I also liked the different chairs and wind vane and other decor around the grounds.
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There is also a fish pond with goldfish in it.
I also liked the Brayton House. They do not allow flash photography in the house (although you can take photos with your cellphone). I don’t like how photos look on my cellphone so I didn’t take any photos in the house but it is a must see on the tour.
Location: 117 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI (by Easton’s Beach)
Hours: open everyday dawn until dusk
Cost: Free
Parking: 3 hour metered parking is available at Easton Bank (but limited). You can also park at other entry/exit points along the trail off Bellevue Ave (such as The Breakers mansion at 44 Ochre Point Ave which is free for a limited parking time and Narrangasett Ave.)
Distance: 3.5 miles each way
Time To Allot For Walk: The website suggests 2.5 hours. I would allot 3-4 hours if you’re walking the entire trail (and back)
Dog Friendly: Yes
Highlights: scenic, free, always open, good for people of all ages, popular with joggers
The Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island, is not only a historically important attraction, it is also a great way to burn some extra calories or stroll along the shore, depending on your energy level.
Construction of the Cliff Walk began in 1880. Since then, the trail has been extended and designed over a series of redevelopment projects.
The Cliff Walk, which begins at Memorial Blvd or Bellevue Ave (depending on where you start) takes you on a series of breath taking views and, at times, challenging trails. Most people begin the trail at Memorial Blvd next to Easton’s beach (also known as First Beach). This trail ends at Bailey Beach. There is one “comfort station” on the walk at Narragansett Rd.
Rather than backtracking on the trail to get back, which you can do, it is easier to take the first right at Bailey Beach which leads onto Bellevue Ave. You can follow Bellevue Ave all the way back to Memorial Blvd or one of the many access points along the trail since it runs parallel to the cliff. It is easier because it is a straight and more direct route. I used this path to get back and it cut my walking time in half.
The views of Rhode Island Sound and First Beach from the Cliff Walk are astounding.
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The first two thirds of the 3.5 mile trek (starting from Memorial Blvd) is easy and well defined. However, the terrain gets rocky, challenging and more scenic after the first 2 and a quarter miles. The steps and paths go from being well defined and wide.
to rugged, rocky and narrow
Other than the challenging terrain, the Cliff Walk is an easy, fun trail (it’s best to stop and turn around at the Breakers mansion or Webster Street if you’re starting from Memorial Blvd to avoid the more rocky terrain).
The Cliff Walk is also a good place for birding. There were lots of birds flying here and there, calling out to each other and even a few relaxing on the rocks. They look like they’re conspiring.
Perhaps the most well known part of the trail is the 40 Steps. In addition to providing you with an up close look of the shoreline, the 40 Steps also provides a little bit of history to the trail. The 40 steps is where the servants and workers of the mansions used to congregate during the Gilded Age.
One of my favorite parts of the walk was watching the people on the various water crafts and other flotation devices.
Another great thing about the Cliff Walk are the unusual features of the trail. Tunnels, makeshift trails, colorful flowers, even a memorial attached to a rock and other decorative items are scattered throughout the Cliff Walk. The memorial on the rock is dedicated to former surfer pro Ryan Patrick Roberts, nicknamed “Gazoo”. Roberts, a Newport native, passed away February 5, 2000. One wonders how they got the plaque on there and made it stay there.
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The Cliff Walk also offers many great views of the mansions and other buildings built along the shore.
Some of the visitors at the Cliff Walk weren’t contend to stay on the trail.
There were a lot of dogs on the trail during my visits. It is a great place to take your pup for a walk. But, you may want to avoid the rockier terrain when you take your dog to the Cliff Walk.
Remy is a 10 month German Short Hair Pointer and a loyal Red Sox fan I presume.
Winston, a 4 year old Maltese from Seattle, WA, took the easy way around the Cliff Walk
Fion is an 8 year old Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Her breed is named after the area of France where that breed originated from (Vendeen).
Believe it or not, Penny, a Great Pyrenees, is only one year old.
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Parking: There is not a designated parking lot for Wilcox Park. But, you should be able to find off street parking.
Wilcox Park is not your average park. In fact, it is unique in many different ways. One thing that makes Wilcox Park unique is that it is not part of the DCR or any other city or governmental body. Wilcox Park is privately operated by the Westerly Public Library’s Board of Trustees. The library, located on the grounds of the park, and a group of volunteers help keep the grounds clean and orderly. They rely on donations and fundraisers.
Westerly Library is attached to the park at the entrance. The library’s beautiful architecture of the building is both artful yet modest. It complements the beauty of the park and seems right in place. There are also benches for visitors to unwind and perhaps read a book from the library’s collection.
There are also a number of statues in the grounds of the library.
As you entered the park, one of the first statues you will see is the statue of Christopher Columbus sculpted by Ciriaco (or “Charles” as he was commonly known as) Pizzano in 1949. Originally from Avellino, Italy, Pizzano was living in Medford, Massachusetts, when he decided to sculpt this statue, appropriately, out of Westerly granite.
The inscription reads:
CRISTOFORO COLOMBO
INTREPID ITALIAN EXPLORER
WHO LINKED THE OLD WORLD OF
OUR FATHERS TO THE NEW WORLD
OF OUR SONS
On the back of the pedestal:
DEDICATED
BY
THE CITIZENS
OF
WESTERLY AND PAWCATUCK
A.D. 1949
Somewhere Leif Erikson is rolling around in his grave.
Down the staircase from the entrance to the park is a fountain (which was not running when I went to visit due to the still cold temperatures). The Wilcox Memorial Fountain was designed by John Francis Paramino in 1898 and was dedicated in honor of Harriet and Stephen Wilcox who had donated the land for the park.
There are a variety of beautiful trees, plants, bridges and statues at Wilcox Park.
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There is also a pond along the trails at Wilcox Park. It is populated with Koi fish
ducks
There’s room for two on this thing, right?
and baby turtles. I couldn’t find his mommy but I am sure she was nearby.
and rabbits
The bronze Runaway Bunny statue was dedicated in 1998 by Connecticut sculptor Joan Binney Ross. it is based on the book of the same name by Margaret Wise Brown. Unfortunately, the bunny has been the target of vandalism, predictably. But, it has been restored after each attack. Cameras are now installed liberally around the park to deter vandalism or catch the vandals.
This fella just wanted to play with the ducks
This sculpture sort of looked like a face to me. A very ugly face.
Dogs are allowed at Wilcox Park. Bandit, a Siberian Husky, had fun playing in the park. Apparently, Bandit earned his nickname because he “takes things”. What a beautiful dog. He caught my eye because of his handsome markings and his very cute smile. You can tell he’s a “bandit” based on his playful grin.
As the year draws to an end I thought I would share some of the photos taken from my mother’s house throughout the year. Since she lives in an area that used to be farmland there are a lot of wooded areas that attract a variety of wildlife. She also has a couple of bird feeders that attract birds of all types. There are many other animals in the area over the years that I have heard or seen but not photographed such as deer, a horse, cows, mountain lions and reportedly even bears.
Check out the slideshow below to see some of the friends that have visited us this past year. My cat, Bailey, is included in the slideshow. I always bring her when I visit.
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I always like investigating the area when I visit for the holidays and long weekends. I’ve always thought it would be a great place to retire. The storms and sunsets can be jaw dropping.
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There are also a variety of plants, flowers and trees in her yard.
After a short stay at Scraggy Neck, it was time for our next stop on our Cape Cod Farewell Summer trip.
Our next destination was the Nobska Beach in the quaint village of Woods Hole in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The Nobska area is so pretty and there are so many attractions because of its sheer beauty, I decided cover the Nobska area in two separate blogs.
The first thing that stands out at Nobska beach are the array of flowers and the makeshift trails at the beach (that and the lack of parking). The only parking available is on the side of the road along the beach and a scant few spots in front of the light house (I’ll be posting photos of the light house in the second part of the Nobska photo blogs).
Nobska Beach offers views of both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island.
Boats and the ferry make frequent trips to the islands
If you hadn’t noticed, one of the treasures of Nobska Beach are the rocks and the rock formations.
But, to capture the real beauty of the views from the beach, it was necessary to walk down a narrow trail down to this modest rocky ledge.
But, the ledge was wide enough for me and my camera. And the views were well worth the extra effort.
Nobska Beach is also home to a variety of wildlife.
At the base of the beach there are two memorials. A memorial for Dennis Jeff Sabo lies under some plants, almost unnoticed. The memorial does not give any more information than his date of birth, date of death and name. A Google search yielded no results. The lack of details about Dennis adds to the memorials’ mystique.
The other memorial is dedicated to Neilie Anne Heffernan Casey. Neilie was a passenger on Flight 11 on September 11, 2001. A memorial and bench bearing her name lay in the area now dubbed “Neilie Point”. A beautiful reminder of an awful day.
After a brief but rewarding stay at Amrita Island, it was on the next destination on my Farewell Summer Cape Cod trip. Scraggy Neck is a private beach in Cataumet, a village in Bourne, Massachusetts.
The beach is usually monitored by guards during the summer season. But, since summer was basically over, there were no guards when I arrived at the beach.
The entrance to the beach is grassy. But, there is a makeshift trail you can follow. The occasional flower stand in the grass
The beach is long and it was high tide when I visited. But, there wasn’t much of a beach head when I was visited. The water did look clean and clear.
Seaweed and shells littered the beach.
Scraggy Neck is divided into two sides by a road that is frequented by joggers, bikers and cars. It was on the other side of the road that showed off Scraggy Neck’s more scenic views.
A narrow path leads to the water.
The fish is visible through the transparent water.
This part of Scraggy Neck is mostly grassy. So, it would not be the ideal area to lie out for a tan.
Scraggy Neck is also a popular spot for boaters to launch from.
After visiting Scraggy Neck, it was on to our next adventure….
Tucked away in the quaint village of Mystic, Connecticut, stands the hidden gem known as The Olde Mystic Village.
At first glance, Mistick Village may seem like a nondescript shopping center. But, Mistick Village is much more.
There are many cramped stores for specialty merchandise such as custom made clothing and hand made jewelry, pet shops and eateries that dot the village. It would be easy to dismiss it as just another shopping center. But Mistik Village has many unexpected charms. One of the biggest surprises at Olde Mistik Village is something very unique.
Right there, smack dab in the middle of the village is a pond.
Forget about the cinema and the fudge shop. The ducks are the most popular attractions at the village. People feed them their dietary recommended food. Signs prominently remind people crackers and bread are not safe for the ducks to eat.
They are not restricted to the pond area either. You can regularly see the ducks roaming the walkways of the Mistik Village.
And, since so many people feed them, they are not shy.
The flowers and trees at Mistik Village are another unique feature of the shoopping center.
Yes, that is a birdhouse on the flag pole.
Keeping with the aquatic theme, a waterfall leads to a stream with koi fish.
Some of the most charming elements of the village are the decor. Walkways are furnished with wooden gateways.
Wooden chairs rest in front of this fashion shop.
Various structures are scattered throughout the village.
Of course, the Mistik Village is a dog friendly area.
I met Theo and Rebel. Theo was happy to see me. Rebel, on the left, not so much.
I also made a friend at Old Mistik Village. Charley is a rescue dog from Hurricane Katrina. His dad told us how, after noticing Charley, he arrived at the dog shelter at 5 a.m. to make sure he could adopt him. Charley is a very special dog.
The bridges of Western Massachusetts are not just the ones you see on the roadways. But, don’t let the name fool you. The Natural Bridge State Park has so much more to offer.
Before you reach the natural bridge, a brook greets you at the entrance.
Formed through series of continental collisions, erosion and the meltwaters caused by the Ice Age, the natural marble bridge is the only one of its kind in North America.
Deep crevices and chasms were carved through the years of erosion and warming and cooling.
The only marble bridge in North America, the natural bridge in North Adams is located just off the The Mohawk Trail.
Adding to the beauty of the natural bridge, the park has a waterfall.
The Natural Bridge State Park also has impressive views of the bridge and the park it overlooks.
There are many flowers, trees, rocks, bridges (a bridge on a bridge of all things) and even David’s Bench that give the Natural Bridge State Park a special charm.
During our travels, we met Sasha.
Just as you think you’ve seen all the Natural Bridge State Park has to offer there is a small park area atop the walking bridge. Statues and other structures made from the materials mined from the one time quarry rest along the top of the lofty bridge. It capped off a perfect visit.
If you want to feel on top of the world, or at least on top of Massachusetts, there’s no place like Mount Greylock.
Clocking in at 3,491 feet and about an hour and a half west of Springfield, MA, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. With its miles of hiking trails and scenic views, Mount Greylock is the perfect destination for hikers and nature lovers. There is also a paved road to the summit with places to pull over to view the scenic beauty.
There are also some cute and pretty attractions off the main trails.
Even the views and flowers at the Visitor Center were captivating.
Along the trails
But, the pinnacle of Mount Greylock is the tower that sits atop the summit. First built as a tribute to the veterans of the first World War, the tower now serves as a memorial to all service members who have served the country. When it is lit each night, the tower is said to be able to be seen from 70 miles. The granite from which the tower was came from my hown city, Quincy (pronounced kwin-zee), Massachusetts.
Mount Greylock State Reservation is a dog friendly park. During my visit there were many dogs out enjoying the views.
Izzy was patiently waiting for his mom outside the visitor’s center.
Peanut was getting ready for his big hike.
Max was tired from hiking the trails at Greylock.
This fella was enjoying some rays.
Most of the wildlife at Mount Greylock was hidden during the day. But, I did see this grasshopper.
Mount Greylock is also a popular spot for paragliders. In fact, several paragliders took off from Mount Greylock during the day.
Mount Greylock is also a stop on the Appalachian Trail. It’s a long way to Georgia. Maybe I’ll try it sometime.
with her/his baby giraffe (the black dot in this and some other photo is dirt on my sensor which I didn’t notice until after I got home unfortunately)
New England Nomad 