Tag Archives: dogs

May 14, 2016

Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison, CT)

Date Visited: May 7, 2016

Location:1288 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT

Cost: I paid $15 (the weekday fee) to get in (I went on a Saturday). But, the prices on their web site show the cost as being $13 for CT residents and $22 for non CT residents on weekends and holidays (it’s worth every penny) and $9 for CT residents and $15 for non CT residents. Also, if you enter at 4 or later it costs $6 for CT residents and $6 for non CT residents to enter the park (bear in mind the park’s gates close at 8 pm when it is in season). There are also additional fees for camping there.

One workaround to paying a fee is to park at 1288 Boston Post Road instead of driving down the access road to the payment booths and walk (almost 2 miles) to the beach. I would recommend this option when it is nice out or if you are bicycling. However, since the park is so big it may be hard to see everything on foot. So, riding your bike from 1288 Boston post Road may be a best option.

Hours: The beach is still accessible, by foot or bike, in the off season without any staff.

Connecticut’s largest public beach, Hammonasset Beach is split into different areas for camping and for people who want to visit the more than 2 miles of beach.

Meaning “where we dig holes in the ground”, Hammonasset is actually part of Long Island Sound.

The campground at Hammonasset has 556 campsites and 8 rustic cabins for reservation during camping season which runs from mid-May until October 8. Hammonasset also has a nature center at Meigs Point and acres of wetlands.

After paying the entrance fee, we asked the helpful woman at the booth where the best place to go for photography is and she suggested Meigs Point.

Meigs Point runs along the shoreline of the beach. There are lots of ducks, birds and lots of other wildlife on the beach and on the trails behind the beach.

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The beach has some pretty views. There are also restrooms with showers and changing rooms at Meigs Point if you decide to go for a swim. During my visit it was overcast and chilly. The lack of sun didn’t take away from the beauty of the beach.

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There is also a jetty. It went out quite a way. Since the rocks were pretty slippery, I made it about half way out before turning back.

Hammonasset is a beautiful beach, although it can get crowded as many beaches do during the summer months. If you live nearby it may be best to get a seasonal pass rather than paying the somewhat hefty fee each time you visit.

Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach during the off season (from November until April). They are still allowed on the trails but not on the beach from April until the end of October.

I met Summer, a golden retriever, on the trail Meigs Point. Especially after this unseasonably cold winter, we all could use a little more summer in our lives!

Jessie, a chocolate Labrador, had a great time on the trail.

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May 4, 2016

Napatree Point Conservation Area (Westerly, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 30, 2016

Location: Fort Rd, Westerly, RI

Parking: Parking was a breeze in the early morning hours in April. I found off street parking with a 3 hour limit. There were several parking spaces available. This will change when the weather begins to warm up (at this rate, sometime in mid-August). One thing I found interesting and somewhat vexing is that according to signs, the parking lot next to Napatree is not supposed to be used for going to the beach. I assume the parking is meant for shoppers and people patronizing the restaurants in the area. For an area that has limited parking this seems highly unusual. If you go in the summer, be aware parking will be very limited.

First, I’d like to thank everyone for reading and being so supportive as I post my 100th blog post. One hundred posts in just under one year. What better place to write about than Napatree!

A peninsula-like shaped area, Napatree is actually a sandy spit. It has been shaped through a process called longshore drift which is basically a process by which sediments such as clay, silt, sand and shingle are transported along the coast creating its unique shape.

You wouldn’t know it by looking at it now but Napatree used to be densely wooded. Trees lined the area until the Great September Gale of 1815 hit the area and the trees were destroyed. In fact, the name Napatree comes from the term nap or nape of trees.

The views from the entrance of Napatree are beautiful. In some of the photos, you can see a brown tint to the otherwise deep blue water. In fact, the colors seemed to change depending on where and when I took the photos. The tides, shallowness of the water and other factors can affect the way the water looks. I had never noticed it as distinctly as I did at Napatree. The waves and movement of the water may have played a part as well. Despite how calm the water seems in these photos this was not the case everywhere at Napatree.

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If you look close, you can see the Amtrak train in the distance that services the Westerly area in one of the photos.

The dunes and the sand were also very pretty.

At first glance, Napatree seems like a long stretch of beach on only one side. But, I kept hearing noises over the dune. At first, I brushed it off as traffic or some other noise. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to climb one of the dunes and check it out. What I found was pure paradise.

The calm waves and plain waterscape were replaced with crashing waves, foamy water, beautiful homes (the homes on both sides weren’t pretty shabby actually), the Watch Hill Lighthouse and marine activity.

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When I arrived, the village was pretty desolate. This was partly due to the early time of the morning that I arrived and partly because the vacation season hasn’t began yet. Westerly did have a Cape Cod feel to it. From the quaint shops, the folksy, slowed down pace, the beautiful beaches and the mansions that dot the landscape (blog to follow soon about one of those lighthouses), I couldn’t help but think back to my childhood vacations at the Cape.

In due time, these empty streets will be bustling with activity. But, for now, it is a tourist/photographer’s dream having the area to one self!

There were several dogs at Napatree during my visit. Dogs are allowed on the beach but only until May 2nd. So, you’ll have to wait until next year to take Fido!

Daisy is a beautiful Golden Retriever. What a gorgeous smile.

Caesar is an aquatic pitbull

Below are videos of the different sides of Napatree. The first video is of the more calm waters that I saw when I first arrived. The second video is from the other side over the dunes to the more active side of Napatree.

9 Comments | tags: boats, dogs, ducks, dunes, Napatree, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Rhode Island, scenic, seashells, water, waves, Westerly | posted in beach, boats, dog, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, Uncategorized

May 1, 2016

Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race (Westerly, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Event: April 30, 2016

Location: 37 Main St, Westerly, Rhode Island

Parking: Parking was very limited, especially with the huge turnout. I got there early so I was fortunate enough to snag a 3 hour parking spot near the event in the shopping area of the town.

Cost: Free

Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race

Every year for the past 18 years, the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce partners with several businesses and community members to raise money by dumping 20,000 ducks into the Pawcatuck River (don’t worry, they’re rubber ducks) and watching them race down the river. The event helps raise money for over 40 local schools and other non profit groups in the area.

Visitors to the duck race can buy “sponsor tickets” with a unique number of a duck for $5 a chance. Duck shaped whistles can also purchased, much to the delight of many spectators and parents. Vendors and a local radio station also sell items and entertain the visitors.

All 20,000 rubber ducks are dumped into the river from a bulldozer which has been filled with the toys prior to the race.

That’s a lot of ducks!

A short walk from the bridge, in Donahue Park, there are also fun stuff for kids (and even adults who feel young at heart) such as a bouncy house, face painting, balloon shaping and other activities. There also was a classic car, a ’47 Mac, owned by the parent of Bustah (one of the dogs below). Cool car.

There were ducks in the water and on land.

Before the race began, a duck, a real duck this time, decided to stop by and see what was going on.

Then, a family of ducks and ducklings swam by. I feel badly for the little one lagging behind in the last photo. I feel like that everyday.

This is the Pawcatuck River before the race.

This is the river with 20,000 ducks in it.

Even dogs came out to watch the race.

Bustah is an American Bulldog. Beautiful markings. I like how he is intently staring at his dad who is standing behind me to get his attention.

Reggie is a black Lab who is super friendly (but aren’t they all?)

Below is a video of the dunk dumping. As you can tell by the audio, the crowd was getting antsy and they really got into the whole countdown.

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21 Comments | tags: cars, dogs, ducks, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Rhode Island, river | posted in dogs, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, river, Uncategorized

April 25, 2016

William Francis Bird Park (East Walpole, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 24, 2016

Location: Polly Lane, Walpole, MA

Cost: Free

Parking: I counted 25 parking spots in the main parking area outside the park. Parking is free. There may be several parking lots.

Francis William Bird Park

As the name suggests, there are lots of birds to watch at Francis William Bird Park. Either there are lots of robins at the park or I photographed the same one over and over.

There are more than birds at the park to catch your attention.

Such as trees and flowers

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the ponds and streams

and the bridges (each bridge is made slightly differently)

The trails are easy and branch off to side trails. But, since it is all concentrated in one area it is hard to get lost there.

The tree below was planted in memory of Charles Sumner Bird, a paper manufacturer, candidate for governor of Massachusetts, resident of Walpole MA and the son of William Francis Bird.

Tip of the day; don’t get too close to a goose and his or her Cheetos.

You’re not supposed to feed the birds at William Francis (and you’re especially not supposed to feed them Cheetos). It’s not good for them physically and it creates more messes on the trail. But, of course, people still do.

Along the trails, there are benches and places to enjoy the outdoors. Or, you can just chill on a rock or log. There is also a restroom (open seasonly)

Charlot (pronounced Char-lo) is a local (local to Walpole) artist, storyteller and cultural and historical expert. He specializes in Haitian art and culture. He likes to go to the park to paint and relax. He was kind enough to let me photograph him painting. He calls the first painting Silhouette Of The Drum. he was also touching up a painting he had finished previously.

Charlot is very talented. You can find out more about him here.

There are also a variety of attractions for sportsmen and sportswomen. The trails make for great running surfaces. There are four tennis courts as well as a basketball backboard (but not a court) . There are also musical and other types of events during the summer by the main field.

Birds aren’t the only animals you will find at Francis William Bird Park. The park is also popular spot for dogs. The trails and open spaces make it a great place to take your pooch.

Henry is a 3 year old Basset Hound. Cute freckles on his left front paw!

Sophia is a 5 year old Newfoundland. Sophia reminded me of a Newfoundland we had. Beautiful dog.

Buddha is a 3 month old Hound mix. I love the eyebrows!

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14 Comments | tags: artist, birds, bridges, dogs, Massachusetts, Nature, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, pond, trees, Walpole, water | posted in bridges, dogs, geese, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, pond, ponds, trees, Uncategorized

April 24, 2016

Hartley Mason Reservation & York Harbor Beach (York, ME)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 23, 2016

Location: 480 York Street, York, Maine

Hours: Always Open

Parking: 2 hour off street parking is available, but limited. There are also a few parking areas near the beach.

A common destination for weddings, dog walkers and beach goers, the Hartley Mason Reservation is a small park with benches, memorials and other works of art. Perhaps the most popular attraction to this site is the rock with the tiny figures, titled, “Pleasure Ground”. The sculpture was made by Sumner Winebaum, a York resident, in 2011. He titled it “Pleasure Ground” because Mason had described the reserve as a “pleasure ground”. The sculpture is built on a rock nearly 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and weighs three tons,. The bronze figures range in height from 10 to 12 inches tall. Winebaum said his goal was to show people enjoying the park such as the two boys wrestling, the person reading and the two women debating (which he has described as his favorite part of the sculpture).

Tiny people doing all the things regular people do. I wonder what book that tiny figure on the edge of the rock is reading. Perhaps, “Little Women”.

An easy, clearly marked path leads down to the beach.

Along the trail, there are also benches dedicated to people who have passed.

There is also a memorial dedicated to those lost at sea. The York Fisherman’s Memorial is

The inscription on the front reads: O HEAR US WHEN WE CRY TO THEE FOR THOSE IN PERIL ON THE SEA.

On the back of the monument, there is an inscription that states: Dedicated to those who lost their lives at sea & for those who work and love the ocean…

The memorial is dedicated to Captain Daniel A. Donnell who died at sea hauling traps. He was 78 at the time of his death.

The trail is also a great place to take photos of the beach from afar.

From the moment I pulled up to the parking in front of the Hartley Mason Reservation, the view of the water struck me, especially with the weather conditions as they were. A misty cloud covering filled the afternoon sky reaching all the way to the water making it hard to discern where the water ended and the sky began. For most people, this is hardly ideal beach weather. But, I, and my sensitive Irish screen, have always preferred this weather to the scorching unabated sunlight.

The trail eventually leads to the beach (there are also side trails, or if you’re feeling spry you can just walk down the rocky or grassy areas off the trail). Due to time constraints, we just stopped at the beach head and took photos from there. There were some modest waves and some pretty views. The beach does have a lot of rocky areas that wouldn’t be very comfortable to walk around in on sandals. Wear comfortable footwear.

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Although the beach area is much larger and may have more accommodations (I will visit again later to capture the beach in its entirety), the section I visited had very little room for lying out. There really was just rock and a concrete slab to stand, sit or lie on. The parking is also pretty sparse at this section of the beach. There are only a few parking spots and some are designated for certain people. There is also an outdoor pool near the beach.

The beach was very busy with not only human visitors but cute furry ones as well (I suppose some of the human visitors were furry as well but that is neither here nor there).

Kipper is a 9 year old German Shepherd. He got to play in the water and he loves to play catch. And his mom’s boots were pretty cool.

Gracie is a 7 and a half year old Boxer with a very broad smile.

Below is a video of the waves at York Beach Saturday.

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11 Comments | tags: attractions, dogs, Maine, memorials, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, statues, waves, york | posted in attractions, beach, dogs, Maine, memorials, park, photographs, photography, photos, statues, Uncategorized, water, waves

April 22, 2016

Dog Day Afternoon (Wollaston Beach, Quincy, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 21, 2016

The beach, dogs and summer-like weather. Who could ask for more? Not me. Usually, I do most of my photography and trips during the weekend. But, with unusually high temperatures for this time of the year (60’s and low 70’s) and later sunsets, I decided to head to the local beach in the hopes of photographing some cute dogs. I wasn’t disappointed. There are so many distractions at the beach, especially for our furry friends. But, they all posed so well and made my job easy.

I met Tooko, 4 years old, in the parking lot. Tooko was a barker, but a friendly barker. His bark was much worse than his bite (he really doesn’t bite). But, he sure does likes to play. We played for a while and I continued on the way to the beach.

Pedro is a 3 year old boxer. Loved his markings.

Chuckles (on the left), that is the name of the dog not the man – at least I hope it is, is am 11 year old Chihuahua. Buddy is a 7 year old Cocker Spaniel. They were a little camera shy but I still thought they were cute dogs.

Marley is an 8 year old Beagle. Her guardians also think she might have some fox hound in her. I have always been a sucker for Beagles! So, I had to get her photo.

Penny (short for Penelope) is an 8 month Corgi and Australian Sheepdog. As if on command, Penny lied down on the sand and struck a pose. Her markings were very striking. You go, Penny!

Kayser is a 4 year old German Shepherd and a Massachusetts native. The color of his coat and his sharp features caught my eye. He clocks in at 110 lbs.

Annie is a 3 year old Shepherd Husky. Her sibling is Oakley. Get it…Annie Oakley. Annie is from Tennessee. She’s the only ten I see in the photo! Love the one ear up and one ear down pose and she looked very pretty against the rising sunset.

Tiger is 3 years old who loves his treats!

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8 Comments | tags: beach, dogs, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos | posted in beach, dogs, Massachusetts, photographs, photography, photos, quincy, Uncategorized

April 13, 2016

Rutland State Park (Rutland, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 10, 2016

Location: White Hall Rd, Rutland, Massachusetts

Cost: Free since I visited during the off season. It costs $8 for MA vehicles and $10 for out of state vehicles once the main season begins (around early May)

Parking is limited. Since it was not the peak of the season, I found a spot without any trouble. But, there are only 20 or so spots in the main parking areas. There are some additional parking areas off the main trail to the lake.

Boats are not allowed in the water, although fishing is allowed. Trout and bass are the most common fish in the water.

I had been interested in visitng Rutland State ever since I heard about the remnants of the state prison camp and the views of the water.

There was a strong wind, evident by the ripples in the water.

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The gates at the entrances to some of the trails prevented some vehicles from entering the trails. This is because during this time of the year it rains a lot and bikes and other vehicles can get stuck on the trails. So, it was a pretty empty trail when I went. Which was just fine by me. Miles of near solitude in nature with a cloudless, cold blue sky on a bright New England morning….yes please!

The main trail I stayed on was easy with some moderate includes. The only thing you may find annoying is the long stretches of nothing but trees and water on each side of the trail. This was heaven for me, though. I was also pleased to see a dirt trail rather than gravel or, gasp, paved road.

As I continued on the main trail, I began to see signs of ruins of structures frozen in time. A stairwell and frame of a building, now adorned with graffiti (get used to it as it is a constant theme), stood on the outskirts of the trail.

At around the 2 mile mark of the trail there are remnants of a prison camp. The camp was constructed in 1903 for housing petty criminals. It would later be converted into a farm. The first structure, again riddled with graffiti, was used for solitary confinement.

When you consider just how small and confining the spaces in the building are you can only imagine the distress it caused some of the prisoners.

Something happened when I visited the remnants of the prison camp. What I had once considered “cool” and interesting, seemed dank and sad. In fact, it wasn’t until after I left the structure and cave that it really sunk in. It seems like a grim existence at the least. When you realize people lived in these conditions and suffered, largely for committing petty crimes (such as drunkeness), it makes you think we should be more cognizant of the history of the building and area. If it wasn’t so tragic it would be more interesting. Rather than being “cool”, it just made me depressed.

Farther along the trail is an arch that appears to be a root-like cellar. I am not sure what it was used for but my gut tells me nothing good.

There are also some interesting tunnels and holes in the ground at the old prison site. I decided to investigate.

Given the architecture of the structures and the history of the area, it is easy to see why the park is considered haunted. Disembodied voices and apparitions are said to have been witnessed by visitors. There are even claims the area was once used for satanic worship. The area was the subject of the book The Soul Collector, written by Joni Mayhan.

On a brighter note, I saw lots of four legged friends at Rutland State Park.

(left to right) Grayson, 7, an American Pit Bull Terrier and Gamble, 6, a Pit Bull and Boxer mix.

Blackie, 4 years old, a part husky.

I also saw some other four legged friends.

Panda, in front, is a training horse. Calvin is the horse on the right and the horse in the back left (who is difficult to see) is Jack.

There were also a few kids playing on their motor bikes and ATV’s.

The videos below are some videos from my visit. Thank you for reading!

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April 10, 2016

Douglas State Forest (Douglas, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 9, 2016

Cost: Since I visited during the off season, it was free. The web site states it costs $9 for MA vehicles and $11 for out of state vehicles. Prices may vary if you bring your boat.

Location: 107 Wallum Lake Rd. Douglas, MA

Parking: Parking is limited at the main entrance. It probably fills up quickly during the summer weekends. There is also additional parking for boaters farther down the road to the entrance. There is also additional areas to park near the forest.

Douglas State Forest

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived at Douglas State Forest. It just happened to be in the area of another attraction I was visiting. But, I’m a firm believer in spontaneity, no I really am, so I decided to give it a whirl. I’m glad I did.

Douglas State Forest has a few different entrances besides the main entrance at Wallum Lake Drive. I passed some of them on the way to the main entrance. It may be a good option to try these entrances (off Webster and Wallis Streets respectively). After viewing the map for Douglas State Forest, I have determined I only walked a fraction of the 5,525 acres of the park.

There are many hidden trails and long trails in the park. In fact, the Midstate Trail, a 95 mile hiking trail that extends through central Massachusetts to Mt. Watatic in the north, runs through the forest. I saw a group of walkers/hikers at one of the other entrances during my drive. I suspect they may have been gearing up to hike a section of this trail. There is also some rare Atlantic White Cedar swampland at Douglas State Forest. Boards are laid down to allow walking over these areas.

After arriving at Douglas State Forest, I walked the easy, half mile or so trail trail to Wallum Lake (the trail continues on much farther but I only walked to the boat launch and fishing area). A sure sign that spring is begrudgingly, well, springing was abundant. The trails are mainly like the one pictured below. I would describe the trails I took as being easy to moderate but the trail may get harder the farther you walk.

There were several people fishing and an assortment of boats in the lake. Boaters always seem to want to show off and speed around when they see someone with a camera!

Douglas Forest is a year-round attraction. Swimming, fishing and boating are allowed in the lake. In the winter snow shoeing and snowmobiling are popular activities at the forest. Horses and dogs are also allowed at the forest.

The views from the lake were beautiful.

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What started as a gloomy, chilly, overcast day, typical of a true New England spring day, turned into a sunny, warm day. It was the perfect day to take your pooch out for a walk and they were in abundance at Douglas Forest.

Lloyd is a 3 year old husky and lab mix. He was adopted by his pet parent from a shelter and he loves to play in the water.

Delilah is a 5 year old Staffy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier). She was rescued one day before she was slated to be put down. She is also from England and loves to play with sticks. Welcome to America, Delilah!

Dixie and Monty, Irish Spring Setters, posed perfectly for their dad.

Central Massachusetts (where Douglas is located) had always been a place to drive through to get to Western Massachusetts and its plethora of mountains, forests and waterfalls. But, I have been spending a lot of time in Central Massachusetts. After my last few visits I have fallen in love with the area. I will have many more posts coming from my travels in the Central Massachusetts area. Stay tuned and thank you for reading!

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March 13, 2016

Bash Bish Falls (Mount Washington, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: March 12, 2016

Hours: Open everyday from sunrise to half an hour after sunset.

Cost: access to the trails and waterfalls is free. It may cost if you rent one of the Bash Bish cabins at nearby Taconic Falls.

Bash Bish Falls

Located in the most southwestern part of Massachusetts, Bash Bish Falls is considered one of the most dangerous waterfalls in not only Massachusetts but the entire United States. It is also one of the most beautiful.

According to legend, Bash Bish was the name of a Mohican Native American woman who was accused of adultery which was punishable by death.. Bash Bish was pushed over the falls while tied up in a canoe.

The shape of the falls is said to resemble a woman falling to her death. Another theory claims the segmented characteristic of the falls resembled the reuniting of Bash Bish and her daughter White Swan who had also disappeared over the falls according to the Mohican legend. If the rapids of the stream leading from the waterfall and the speed of the water falling from the waterfall are any indication, the restless spirits may still be there. It is also a good reason why swimming is not allowed as the rapids can be very strong and it is easy to hit a rock.

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Bash Bish Falls is located in Massachusetts, just past New York/Massachusetts border.

There are several entrances for Bash Bish. One of the entrances, at the top of the hill from the Massachusetts entrance on Falls Rd, gives ample evidence as to why Bash Bish may be considered such a dangerous waterfall. The stairs, which are a generous description, and walkway, also a generous description, are rocky and treacherous. There is a railing to hold on to. But, it’s still a tricky path.

I would recommend using the first parking spot on Falls Rd, if you’re traveling from Massachusetts. The trails are easy to moderate with a few slight inclines from the first parking lot. It is a 3/4 mile walk to the waterfall from the parking area.

There are many interesting rock formations along the trail. Little known factoid: I learned a new word recently for the strange piles of rocks stacked creatively that we often see along trails and at beaches like the rocks in the first two photos in the top row of photos below. They are called cairns, unless you ask a conservationist or geologist in which case they will condescendingly call them just rock piles since real cairns are nature made and not man made.

Bash Bish Falls is a popular spot for dog walkers. I met the following dogs during my hike.

Charlie

Juno, a Rottweiler and Shepherd mix

Cassie, a Bernese Mountain Dog.

Murphy, a beautiful Golden retriever

To get a better perspective of the waterfall and the stream leading from the waterfall, I have attached the following videos.

34 Comments | tags: attractions, dogs, Hiking, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, waterfall | posted in attractions, dogs, massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized, views, waterfalls, western massachusetts

February 21, 2016

Coolidge Reservation (Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date visited: February 20, 2016

Cost: Free

Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset

Address: 15 Coolidge Point, Manchester By-The-Sea, MA

Coolidge Reservation

Parking: about 8-10 parking spaces, small lot.

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.

14 Comments | tags: Coolidge Reservation, dogs, ducks, geese, Manchester-By-The-Sea, Massachusetts, Nature, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, scenic, trees, water | posted in dog, ducks, geese, Massachussetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, pond, trees, Uncategorized, views, water

New England Nomad

Tag Archives: dogs

Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison, CT)

Napatree Point Conservation Area (Westerly, RI)

Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race (Westerly, RI)

William Francis Bird Park (East Walpole, MA)

Hartley Mason Reservation & York Harbor Beach (York, ME)

Dog Day Afternoon (Wollaston Beach, Quincy, MA)

Rutland State Park (Rutland, MA)

Douglas State Forest (Douglas, MA)

Bash Bish Falls (Mount Washington, MA)

Coolidge Reservation (Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA)

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