Tag Archives: photographs

October 14, 2016

Plymouth Long Beach (Plymouth, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: October 8, 2016

Location: 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth , MA (45 minutes south of Boston, MA, 1 hour west of Providence, RI)

Cost: (Memorial to Labor Day) Weekdays: $15
Weekends: $15
Bus (by reservation): $50 (check this fee with Town Hall above)

You can also purchase a sticker for the beach for a $50 annual fee

Free after Labor Day until Memorial Day

Parking: There is ample parking available (at least 100 spots)

Dog Friendly: Yes, in certain areas (signs are clearly marked in these areas)

Highlights: Rocky jetties, scenic views, ample parking, restaurant on premises, fishing, boating and other aquatic activities

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Plymouth Long Beach, more commonly known as just Plymouth Beach, was another spot I happened upon unexpectedly.  While trying to find the painted lobsters in Plymouth (blog post to follow soon), I pulled over into this parking lot to get my bearings.  Since I was there, I figured I would check the place out and take some shots.   I’m so glad I did!

There is a rocky jetti you can walk out to get some photos of the bay.  Yes please.

The waves were pretty, well, wavey.  But, otherwise it was a pitcure perfect beach day.

One of the great things about the beach is there is a deli and comfort stations as well.

On the other side of the beach is a stream that runs between the beach area and the residences of the neighborhood.  There are also some bridges that connect the residents to the beach.

The birds aren’t very shy at the beach, probably because they are so well fed by the beach goers.

In fact, some of them lurk around, waiting for crumbs.

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People also like to go fishing, mainly for stripers, at Plymouth Beach.

Plymouth Long Beach is beach friendly (but only in designated areas).

Proving that it is indeed a small world, I ran into Vivi, a dog I had photographed during my visit to Chestnut Hill Reservation.  Vivi is still her playful self.

Daisy, a 4 year old Black Lab, and Cricket, a 2 year old Chocolate Lab, had fun playing in the water.

Below is a video of the waves and scenic views of Plymouth Beach

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12 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , | posted in beach, birds, dogs, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Plymouth, Uncategorized

October 12, 2016

2016 Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade

By New England Nomad

Date Of Event: October 2, 2016 (it is usually held every year during the first Sunday in October)

Location: 32 Derby Square (off Essex St), Salem, MA

Cost: Free (there may have been a registration fee if your pet participated in the event)

Hours: October 2,  1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Parking: Serby Square and the surrounding area are pedestrian friendly, walking areas.  cars are not allowed in this area.  You need to park in a garage or find off street parking.  There are two main parking garages on New Liberty St and Congress St within walking distance and there is metered off street parking.

Highlights: pets…in costumes!

Web Site: 2nd Annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade

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Just when you thought Halloween couldn’t be any more fun, Salem Main Streets, working with a variety of local businesses and organizations, held the 2nd annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade.

The first pet parade was such a success they moved it from Artists’ Row to Derby Square.  Having attended the first Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade, I think this was a good call.  The other venue was too narrow and there didn’t seem to be enoug room for everyone to roam freely.  Derby Square had more room but it also became crowded as well.  Everyone loves a pet parade I guess.

There were a variety of dogs in a variety of costumes.

The group of dogs pictured above were, of course, The Scarecrow, Dorothy, the Lion and the Tin Man.  They also brought a yellow brick road which the Scarecrow and Dorothy are sitting on.

Here are some of my favorite dogs and their costumes from the day.

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The force was with this 4 month old Lab who was dressed as Bark Vader.

dsc_0507Aye Matey!  Lady is a 10 year old Chihuahua.

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As if she wasn’t cute enough already, Alexsei, an 8 year old Jack Russell Terrier, was dressed as a koala.

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I’ve heard of dogfish sharks but this takes the cake.  Willie, a 5 year old mutt, is a rescue.

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Samie is a 6 year old Greyhound.

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Blitzen, dressed as a purple monster, is a 1 year old Belgian Malinois (pronounced “mal-in-wah”).  Yes, he’s 1 year old!

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Mickey, I mean Riley, is a 2 year old Lab mix.  I dare you to say “No” to that face.

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Here comes the bride Persephone (the name of the daughter of Zeus), a 10 year old Golden Doodle.

Daisy the Lobster is a 2 and a half year old dog.  Her mom isn’t sure of her breed. She is a rescue from Puerto Rico.

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There were so many cute dogs at the pet parade.  I was unable to get all of their names and breeds but I was able to photograph a lot of them.

There were actually a few very brave cats dressed as Dr Seuss characters at the parade.

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The SalemSaurus T Rex also showed up with his own dog.

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Even if they weren’t dressed in a costume, they were still cute.  Lucy, a 14 year old Chow and Golden mix, just came by to hang out and watch the other dogs.

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We also saw a family of bulldogs on the way to the event.

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Below is a video of the pet parade.

Similar Events I Have Attended In New England:

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2015 Salem Pet Parade

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26 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in cats, costumes, dogs, Halloween, Massachusetts, New England, parade, pets, photographs, photography, photos, Salem, Uncategorized

October 11, 2016

Nubble Lighthouse (York, ME)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: October 1, 2016

Location: 11 Sohier Park Rd, York, ME

Hours: Open everyday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Parking: There is a designated parking area with about 30 to 40 parking spots.  There are also additional parking spots on the other side of the main parking area on the side of the road as you exit the main parking area

Highlights: lighthouse, scenic, views of the ocean, bird life

Lowlights: Parking can be difficult since it is such a popular spot (there was a line of cars waiting to park when I left and that was on a rainy day)

Web Site: Nubble Light

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Also known as Nubble Light, Cape Neddick Lighthouse is an 41 foot (88 feet above sea level) cylindrical lighthouse on the edge of Cape Neddick, a community in York, Maine.

The lighthouse is actually on Nubble Island, hence the name Nubble Light.  People like to call it Nubble and it sounds like a cuter name.  So, yeah, I’ll go with that.

Originally constructed in 1879 for $15,000 (roughly $342,000.00 in today’s money), Nubble Light is located about 100 yards off Cape Neddick Point.  The light was automated in 1986.

Nubble Light is one of the easiest lighthouses to photograph.  From Cape Neddick, you have wonderful views of the lighthouse.

There is also a rocky area you can climb down to get closer to the water and get some sweet views of the lighthouse.  Uhm, yes.

As you can see in some of the photos, it was a very windy day and the waves were crashing pretty hard against the rocks.  Between the rain and the water from the surf it was almost impossible to keep a dry lens, although I tried.

Since people feed them, birds seem to flock by the area.

The weather conditions didn’t deter this hardy Maine fisherman.  He did catch and release.

As you leave the parking area on the other side of the lighthouse, there are some pretty views.

Cape Neddick is a dog friendly area.  Logan, a 2 year old Red Hound and Coon Hound mix, likes to look out at the lighthouse also.

Video of Nubble Lighthouse:

Similar Places I Have Visited In New England:

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Watch Hill Lighthouse (Westerly, RI)

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Nobska Lighthouse (Woods Hole, MA)

17 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in birds, dog, lighthouse, Maine, New England, photographs, photography, photos, scenic, Uncategorized, waves

October 9, 2016

Long Sands Beach (York, ME)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: October 1, 2016

Location: 1 Stonewall Lane York, Maine (1 and 15 hours north of Boston), (45 minutes north of Manchester, NH), (45 minutes south of Portland, Maine)

Hours: Open everyday, 24 hours a day

Cost: Free

Parking: There are many metered parking spots along the beach.  They do fill up quickly on “ideal” beach days.

Beach Size: 1.5 miles

Dog Friendly: Yes, Long Sands Beach has the following dog rules: From April 1 to June 15, leashed dogs are allowed at any time of day; from June 16 to Sept. 15, dogs are only allowed before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Highlights: Scenic views, swimming, surfing and other aquatic activities

Web Site: Long Sands Beach

 

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October is not usually the month that comes to mind when one thinks of beach weather. This is not the case at  Long Sands Beach.  The 1.5 mile long beach is a haven for sun seekers and water sport enthusiasts alike.

Maine is known for being hardy folks.  You have to be when the weather can be so extreme.  As my friend told me when she saw my photos, “They will surf in any weather.”  I would add, the more active the water the better.  When I drove by  the beach an hour later, and the weather had intensified there were even more surfers and paddlers in the water than when I had first arrived to photograph the beach and off street parking was almost nonexistent.

As is often the case with our best experiences, I had not planned on visiting Long Sands.  Rather, I happened upon it on my way to Nubble Lighthouse.  When I saw the active water and the activity in the water, I had to pull over to see and photograph the beautiful beach.

The waves were very active and there were many surfers and paddlers in the water taking advantage of the waves.  It was very cool seeing people with such athleticism and grace in the water.

I met these two friendly surfers on the beach.

 

 

 

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Long Sands is a dog friendly beach (see the dog rules above).  I met Ollie, a 1 and a half year old Hound mix at the beach.

Below is a video of the surfers and stand up paddlers at Long Sands Beach.  As you can see, it was very windy and a little hard to control the camera.

Please Follow Me On Facebookto see photos, videos and other content not included in my blogs.  Thank you!

Similar Places In New England I Have Visited:

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Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison, CT)

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Napatree Point Conservation Area

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Odiorne Point State Park (Rye, NH)

11 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in beach, dogs, Maine, New England, photographs, photography, photos, surfers, surfing, Uncategorized

October 8, 2016

Water Fire (Providence, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Event: September 24, 2016 (next and last Water Fire of the year is Nov. 5)

Location: Memorial Blvd, Providence, RI

Time Of Event: First lighting is a little after sunset

Cost: Free

Parking: There are several parking lots and garages in the area.  Off street parking is limited during the event

Dog Friendly: Yes

Web Site: Water Fire

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Originally an award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans in 1994, Water Fire has become a staple of the Providence entertainment scene.  Initially, the Water Fire display was a celebration of the 10th anniversary of First Night Providence.  There were 11 braziers, or hot coal baskets, that were lit at the first Water Fire.  There are now over 80 in the three rivers of downtown Providence.

It was another warm summer day when we arrived.  Summer’s last gasp.  And there was plenty of outdoor pre-Water Fire entertainment.

The first braziers are lit right after sunset (around 7 pm when I went).  People on boats, some in the fashion of gondolas, float by during the festival and music is played during the event.

It was a cool evening.  But the warmth of the fires kept us warm.

This man kept going by and throwing flowers to various people.  I didn’t get one.

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Of course, Providence looks beautiful with or without the water Fire lighting.

It was also Chinese Culture Night.  Steeple Street had booths with information and games about Chinese culture.

The next Water Fire is scheduled for Nov. 5 (bundle up if you go).  It will be your last chance to attend the event this year asit is the last Water Fire event of the year.  They usually start up again in the spring of each year, usually in March.

Dogs are allowed at the Water Fire event.

Oakley is a 4 month old Australian Cattledog

Raleigh is a 6 month old American Staffordshire Terrier with a special talent (see the videos below)

Below are some videos from the Water Fire event:

A dragon in the water!  Part of the Chinese Culture Night

A human on a skateboard:

wait for it….yes a dog on a skateboard…

Someone playing with fire

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4 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in dogs, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Providence, Rhode Island, Uncategorized, Water Fire

October 7, 2016

Street Pianos – Play Me, I’m Yours (Boston, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of  Event: September 23 – October 10, 2016 (photos taken Oct. 5 & 6)

Locations: Throughout Boston (see attached map below)

Dog Friendly: Yes

Web Site With Map: Street Pianos

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If you hear the faint sound of piano music along city sidewalks and parks, don’t be alarmed.  You’re not imagining it and, despite it being close to Halloween, it’s not some ghastly theme introducing an apparition.

Since 2008, the international tour group, “Play Me, I’m Yours” has been leaving pianos in public spaces for all to enjoy.  Part of street pianos and the brainchild of Luke Jerram, the “Play Me, I’m Yours” program has installed over 1,500 pianos in 50 cities worldwide.  The pianos have been artistically decorated by local artists and neighborhood clubs.  Many of the pianos, as you will see below, have artistic themes painted on then that are representative of the area they are located in.

With 60 pianos located throughout the city, you’re sure to find one in your travels if you do travel to the city.   I was fortunate enough to see a few of these pianos.  initially, my goal was to photograph all 60 pianos.  But, since this is the final weekend they will be in Boston, I wanted to post about them before they are gone.  Please note, some of the pianos are only out during certain hours, usually the same hours of the businesses they are located in front of.  The pianos will be donated to neighborhood groups and youth groups after the program is over.

I noticed this piano (with some help from a co-worker) on the way to work.  It is located on the boardwalk in front of the Children’s Museum (308 Congress St, Boston, MA).  The buildings in the background provide the perfect backdrop.

 

Since it was close to my place of business in the city, I was able to visit this piano during my lunch break.  It is a beautiful and actually a very peaceful area to relax, despite all of the construction and the busy street it is located off.  It is located at Seaport Green by District Hall, South Boston.

 

To get a change of scenery, I decided to go into the busier sections of the city Thursday.  This piano is located at the Massachusetts State House at Ashburton Park, Boston.  It was great to see so many people of so many backgrounds using the pianos.  The look of concentration on the pianists’ face below and the ease at which she plays is incredible.

 

The next piano I found was at Reader’s Park in front of a Walgreen’s, of all places, at 24 School St, Boston.  I waited around for  while to take some photos of the piano unoccupied but he played for a long while.  But, I think it is awesome to see someone be so focused!

 

The last piano I visited is next to the Macy’s at 450 Washington St, Boston.  Some people are camera shy.

 

Even the dogs came out to see the pianos.  Charley is a 3 year old Pomeranian with beautiful markings.

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I am truly impressed by anyone who can make such beautiful music.

 

 

 

 

22 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Boston, dog, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, pianos, Uncategorized

October 6, 2016

Chestnut Hill Reservation (Allston/Brighton, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: September 24, 2016

Location: Beacon St, Brighton, MA

Hours: open everyday dawn until dusk

Cost: Free

Parking: There is a free parking lot next to the reservation that accomodates about 100 vehicles, there is additional metered off street parking

Park Size:20 acres, 1.5 circular trail loop

Time To Allot For Visit: 1 to 2 hours

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: nice views, reservoir, easy circular trail, popular with cyclists, joggers and dog walkers, lots of birds and other wildlife, shoreline fishing is permitted

Lowlights: trail can get congested

Web Site: Chestnut Hill Reservation

Trail Map: Chestnut Hill Reservation Trail Map

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Created in 1870 on marshes and meadowland to provide the city of Boston with an additional water supply, the Chestnut Reservior, the reservoir now acts as a pretty body of water encircled by a 1.5 mile circular trail loop.  The reservoir was taken off line in 1978 and is no longer needed for a water supply for the city of Boston.  But, it is still maintained as an emergency backup source for water.  Now, a plethora of birds and other aquatic animals thrive in the reservoir.

While the reservoir itself is only located in the Boston area, Chestnut Hill area of the park, which includes parts of Boston, Brookline and Newton, includes a swimming pool, skating rink.

The reservation has some beautiful views of the Brighton/Allston, Chestnut Hill and surrounding areas.  The clouds provided a pretty, albeit threatening, touch.  There are pretty flowers along the trail and, as you can see from some of the photos, the circular loop around the reservoir is very easy with only subtle, if any, inclines.  You can see the two skyscrapers of Boston (the John Hancock Tower – the glassy blue colored building on the left – and the Prudential Tower – the brownish building with the long antenna on the right).  You can also see the stylish top of one of the buildings of the Boston College campus in the first few photos of this group.

There is also an abundance of wildlife at the reservoir.  Mallards, Cormorants, Canadian Geese and a variety of other birds inhabit the reservoir.

This Cormorant had just got his or her lunch.  In the last photo the Coormorant had eith er lost the fish or just swallowed it (you can choose to believe whichever makes you sleep easier tonight).

Birds aren’t the only inhabitants of the reservoir.  Turtles and other aquatic animals occupy the reservior as well.  It’s a little hard to see butt at the bottom of the second photo there is a huge turtle.

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Since it was such a nice day outside, there were a variety of dogs at Chestnut Hill Reservation.

ViVi, a 4 year old Beagle and Cocker Spaniel mix, showed off her talents of doing a pirouette and playing patty cake to beg for treats.

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This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Buster is a 9 year old English Lab and Retriever mix, or the best combination ever!

Bella is, appropriately enough, a 2 year old toy poodle.  Doesn’t she look like a toy?

Luke, a 2 year old Lab, was a little shy but warmed up to the camera nicely.

Please check out my Facebook page to see other photos, videos and other content that is not included in my blog

and look for me on my Instagram page @new.england.nomad_

Thank you!

Similar Places I Have Visited In New England:

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Dorrs Pond (Manchester, NH)

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Borderland State Park (North Easton, MA)

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The Nature Trail And Cranberry Bog At Patriot Place (Foxborough, MA)

 

7 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , | posted in birds, dogs, ducks, geese, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

October 1, 2016

Mount Monadnock (Jaffrey, NH)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: September 17, 2016

Location: 116 Poole Rd, Jaffrey, NH

Trail Height: 3,165 feet

Trail Difficulty: Moderate

Time To Allot For Visit: 3-4 hours (up and down)

Cost: $5.00

Parking: There are several parking lots with ample parking but it does get busy and fills up during the spring summer and fall months

Dog Friendly: No

Highlights: scenic views, pretty flowers and trees, pretty rocky structures, birds, views of Boston skyline

Mount Monadnock Web Site: Mount Monadnock

Mount Monadnock Trail Map: Mount Monadnock Trail Map

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Standing at 3,165 feet, Mount Monadnock is considered one of New Hampshire’s “easier” climbs (according to alltrails.com).  But, before you lace up your hiking boots and pack up your car for the scenic drive to the majestic mountain in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, you may want to get a second opinion.

While it isn’t the hardest climb you will make, it also isn’t an easy climb, particularly for beginner climbers.  I saw more than a few climbers taking breaks on the side of the trail to the top.  But, it is worth all the hard work and time to get to the top when you see the views.

At the beginning of the trail, there is a reminder to not make or knock down the cairns on the trail.

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The dirt trail at Monadnock starts off easy enough as a straight trail with a slight incline.  From there, the trail gets tougher.  The inclines become more drastic and the terrain turn rocky.

There are some pretty views on the way to the top.  About three quarters of the way to the top of Mount Monadnock, there is an area to sit or stand and take in the views of the surrounding area.  On a clear day, you can see the Boston skyline.  You may be able to see it in some of these photos.

The trail gets slighly easier after the first 3/4 of the trail.  But only slightly.  Keep in mind this was my first hike up any mountain.  So, it may be much easier for an experienced climber.  In any case, there are several areas to take photos as you inch closer to the top.

Finally, I made it to the top.  It took me about 2 to 2.5 hours to get to the top.  Bear in mind I had a camera with me that I had to make sure I didn’t hit against a rock (I always keep the camera by my side and not in my backpack or carrying case because you never know when you might need to take a photo at a moments notice) and again it was my first time hiking anything this size.  So, an experienced hiker without a camera would probably be able to complete the ascent in about an hour.

The views from the top are breath taking.  Be sure to take a sweater with you, even if it is a warm day when you go, because the winds at the top of the mountain are very strong.

I had enough trouble hiking up to the top by myself, never mind doing it with someone strapped to my back like this guy!

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Due to the geoloical makeup of Mount Monadnock, there are some little ponds of water and colorful grass at the top.

Keep in mind, Monadnock is a very popular attraction and the trail does get busy quickly, especially during ideal hiking days.

If you’re lucky, you may run into Larry Davis.  Larry has been hiking Monadnock virtually everyday (rain, snow or shine).  he has easily logged in thousands, probably tens of thousands, of hikes up and down Mount Monadnock.  He also takes some beautiful photos from Monadnock on a camera with film.  He was nice enough to pose for a few photos for me.

I found some other cool things on the trail.  There is a flying insect of some kind that makes a clicking sound while it flies, signs of fall and some interesting rocks with names etched into them.  The names etched into the rocks are the names of the families that lived at the bottom of the mountain or the surrounding areas and some are said to still live there today.

Mount Monadnock also has comfort stations and a general store at the base of the hill so you can refill the calories you will surely burn hiking.

In short, Mount Monadnock is the perfect hike for beginners and experienced hikers.  Hopefully, I’ll see you up there soon!

Below are some videos from my hike at Mount Monadnock.  You can hear the wind blowing in some of the videos.

 

 

7 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in hiking, New England, new hampshire, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

September 29, 2016

Northwest Park (Windsor, CT)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: September 10, 2016

Location: 145 Lang Rd, Windsor, CT (15 mins north of Hartford, CT and half an hour south of Springfield, MA)

Hours: Open everyday, sunrise to sunset

Parking: There is ample parking(about 100 parking spots) in the main parking area as you enter by the soccer and baseball fields.  There is also a smaller parking area by the dog park on your right as you enter the park that can accommodate about a dozen cars.

Cost: Free

Size: 473 acres, 12 miles of trails

Trail Difficulty: Easy to somewhat moderate in some areas

Time To Allot For Visit: 2 to 3 hours

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: dog park, ponds, trails, flowers, reservoir, ball fields, wildlife, animals, tobacco museum, venue for events during the spring and summer

Web Site: Northwest Park

Trail Map: Northwest Park Trail Map

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Since summer is winding down, I decided to take in one last trip to one of New England’s more popular parks while the weather was still warm.

With over 12 miles of trails, a reservoir and miles of trails, Northwest Park is a scenic, family friendly park that is a great place to take your dog.

At the entrance of the park, there is a small, penned in dog park called the Windsor Dog Park.

In a way, it is odd to have a dog park in a park that is essentially a dog park.  I do suppose the penned in dog park would be good for dogs that may be too aggressive to be around other dogs or might be too shy or not yet socialized.

Along the trail past the main entrance, there is a pond with an overlook.  The pond is full of turtles, frogs and even Koi fish.  One of the visitors at the park threw some bread into the pond.  Who knew turtles liked to eat bread!

There is also an organic and community garden at the park.

There is also a barn with farm animals and other animals at the park.

One of the special parts of the park is the art scattered around the park.

The trails at the park are pretty much flat and easy to negotiate with some slight inclines.

There are several trails at Northwest Park.  We took the Brookside and Rainbow Reservoir trails.  The Brookside trail is heavily wooded without much to see except a few chipmunks.  The name Brookside seemed a bit misleading as there really wasn’t a brook to be found from the trail.

Eventually, we found ourselves by the Rainbow Reservoir.  The surface of the water was a strange shade of lime green.

There were some boats in the water and even a water skier.

The trails are full of pretty trees, colorful flowers and a few abandoned barns.

You ever notice what the inside of an abandoned barn looks like?  Then, wonder no longer.  It’s actually pretty boring. The video below gives a better look inside.

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There were also a lot of critters to see along the trails.  This chipmunk thought she could hide from me.

This squirrel wasn’t any better at hiding.

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This bird was a bit better at hiding.

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Finally, on our way out of the park, we decided to check out the tobacco museum.  The museum shows the history of the tobacco crop industry and the tools and machines they used.

Northwest Park is a great place to take your dog.  The trails are not very hard to walk and there are lots of open spaces for your dog to roam.  I found two very friendly dogs to photograph during my visit.

Tally is an 11 year old Shephherd mix.

Lada is a 1 year and 7 month old German Shepherd.

Below is a video of the water skier I saw at Rainbow Reservoir and a video of the inside of the abandoned barn I saw along the trails.

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6 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in connecticut, dogs, New England, photographs, photography, photos, pond, Uncategorized, windsor

September 27, 2016

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation (Sutton, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: September 4, 2016

Location: 198 Purgatory Rd., Sutton, MA

Hours: Open everyday, sunrise to sunset

Parking: There are about 50 parking spots in the main lot and several additional parking areas farther down the road in the park.

Cost:  $5 MA Vehicle, $6 non-MA Vehicle

Time To Allot For Visit: 1 hour to 3 hours

Trail Difficulty: Ranges from Difficult (The Chasm) to easy (The Charley Loop)

Highlights: interesting rock structures, jagged, rocky trails and wildlife

Lowlights: some of the trails can be dangerous, especially if there has been rain or snow in the area or if you do not wear proper footwear (hiking shoes are recommended)

Web Site: Purgatory Chasm State Reservation

Trail Map: Purgatory Chasm Trail Map

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Purgatory Chasm might evoke images of the afterlife or the apocalypse.  But, no, it’s actually in Sutton, MA.

The trail of jagged stones is only .25 miles but they are difficult to cross in some parts and particularly dangerous when you’re carrying a camera.

The Chasm is believed to have originated because of the sudden release of dammed-up glacial meltwater near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 14,000 years ago.

Almost as difficult is the incline next to the Chasm with such areas as as The Corn Crib, The Coffin, The Pulpit, Lovers’ Leap and Fat Man’s Misery.  The inclines are very steep in some areas on this route.  There are areas that have a smoother, less sharp incline (look for the rocks on the right side of the incline for these smoother declines).  I had to take the more steeper inclines and declines, of course.  Some of the views from the ledges are a little scary if you don’t like heights.  Some of the heights are as high as 70 feet in some areas and the rocky terrain below would not make for a very safe landing.

There are several trails you can take after tackling the Chasm.  We took the Charley Loop – an easy, mostly smooth trail with pretty flowers and rocky structures that is just over a mile long.

While walking along the Charley Loop, we found a rock with a strange crystal-like powder on it.

These crystals are Granite Pegmatite which is made up of clusters or clumps of minerals.  They generally contain mica, feldspar, beryl and quartz.

Beyond the chasm there is a pond with frogs, birds, possibly some turtles, flowers, and, of course, rocks.

There is also a large rock with a steep decline that has a slippery surface.  We found some children (and a few adults) sliding down it.

Purgatory Chasm is a great place to bring dogs for a walk (I would avoid taking them on the Chasm trail).  We saw a few dogs during our visit.

Gisele (not Tom’s Gisele, at least I don’t think so) is a 8 year old Yorkie.

Sawyer is a friendly 3 and a half year old Golden Retriever.

Charlie is a rescue dog who was being fostered.  Since he was a rescue, his foster family didn’t know his exact breed or his age.  He was taken in from the Lighthouse Animal Shelter in New Bedford, MA. Hopefully, he has a happy new permanent home now.

Below is a video looking over one of the many edges of the rocky incline next to the Chasm.

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