In My Footsteps: Trip 4: Long Pasture, Cummaquid, Mass.

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 4: Long Pasture, Cummaquid, Massachusetts

January 17, 2010



Like a hidden jewel, Long Pasture is tough to find for novice travelers. Located down narrow Bone Hill Road off of Route 6A in Cummaquid, Long Pasture is well worth the trip off the beaten path. Sometimes it is hard to believe that there are such beautifully secluded spots so close by while shopping at the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis, but they are everywhere. Located about a half mile west of the Cummaquid Golf Club along historic Route 6A, Bone Hill Road comes up suddenly around a corner on the right. A white sign for the Harbor Point Restaurant is the marker for the road; pass by it and you will have to find a place to turn around.

Long Pasture itself is easy to find after turning down Bone Hill Road. It is designated by a small, rocky parking lot on the left side at the first turn of the narrow road. The pathway through the 110-acre wildlife sanctuary is clearly marked and simple to follow. It is filled with trees and flowers and a couple of small ponds(left).

A few hundred feet into the wooded area there is a small open barn with temporary pens. This area is part of a cooperative effort between the Massachusetts Audubon Society and Ocean Song Farm to attempt something called ‘Management Intensive Grazing.’ The farm’s pigs, goats, sheep, and turkeys are there to feed on the vegetation at Long Pasture which is not treated by any pesticides. The animals are great to look at but be careful though as the fences are electrified.

The pathway continues, coming close enough to nearby Stoney Point Road that the houses can be seen through the trees. Eventually the pathway leads to several spectacular views across Barnstable Harbor. There is a row of seaside homes and a lighthouse located several miles out on the outskirts of Sandy Neck Beach(right).

This area is viewable from above at a scenic overlook, but can also be seen from the shoreline. A short walk leads to a clearing and a path down to the water. The water is also accessible at a small sandy parking lot located at the end of Bone Hill Road. There are a couple of different routes that can be taken at Long Pasture.

Also located at the end of Bone Hill Road is the Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary nature center(right). Part of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the nature center is open year round and can be appreciated at any time of day during any time of year. After visiting the nature center the return to the parking area at the beginning of Long Pasture can be taken either by going back the way you came through the paths, or by taking the pathway which runs along Bone Hill Road itself.

Separated from the road by a short rock wall, the hike back along Bone Hill Road is nearly as quiet and peaceful as the wooded pathway. The road is not very busy even in the summer months, this allows the birds songs to be heard all around you. The hike does not end there though. On the left side of Bone Hill Road, just after the intersection with Harbor Point Road, there are a few perfectly manicured meadows to be walked. In the summer the meadow grasses grow high and the paths become hidden from the roads. In the cooler months the meadows are wide open and easily navigated.

The toughest part of hiking at Long pasture is finding Bone Hill Road. Once that is accomplished all that is left is to enjoy another in a line of beautiful conservation areas. Have fun and happy traveling!

Directions: from the Mid-Cape highway take Exit 7 to Willow Street. Follow Willow Street to Route 6A. Turn left and drive for one mile. Turn right onto Bone Hill Road, remember it is narrow and comes up fast. Long Pasture is located on the left at the first curve.

References: Massachusetts Audubon Society - Long Pasture

                    Management Intensive Grazing at Long Pasture

In My Footsteps: Trip 3: Dennis, Mass.

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 3: Dennis, Massachusetts

January 16, 2010


Located in the Mid-Cape area, Dennis has many well known attractions. The beaches are famous: West Dennis, Corporation, and Chapin to name a few. There are numerous historical landmarks including Scargo Tower. As in my other travel blogs I am trying to find places not as easily found on any vacation guide.

The journey begins quite aptly on historic Route 6A. Also known as Old King’s Highway, Route 6A was the most used roadway on Cape Cod before Route 28 and the Mid-Cape highway came around. Thought to have begun as an Indian trail from Plymouth to Provincetown, it became part of Plymouth’s ‘King’s Highway’ in the late 17th Century.

A drive along this road is a rich tapestry of historical homes and monuments. So protective of the history on Route 6A is the Cape that even changing the color of ones home is subject for intense debate at town meetings. This road in and of itself is a worthwhile adventure, complete with large oak trees hovering over the road and old horse hitching posts located just off of the sidewalk.

One of the first places to see is a spot that is technically in neighboring Yarmouth by about 1,000 feet. That would be Bray Farm(right). Established in 1639, this small farm is open to the public year round. Even on a sunny January day like today one can park and walk the grounds and see the animals roaming. From the requisite sheep, goats, and chickens, to donkeys, bees, and the oddly beautiful Scottish cattle, Bray Farm will thrill children and adults alike. The owners are very friendly and will gladly answer any questions you may have. There is even a boardwalk along the back end of the property with a spectacular view facing toward Grey’s Beach in Yarmouth.

A little further down Route 6A, just across the street from Osprey Lane is another piece of Cape Cod history. Through a natural tunnel of trees sits the burial ground of the Nobscussett tribe of Indians which lived in Dennis hundreds of years ago(left). The grounds are fenced in and marked by a stone stating that the chief of the tribe was named ‘Mashantampaine.’ Also the site holds a great view of Scargo Lake at the back end of the burial ground, but there are many other spots with better access to the lake.

One of those spots is a conservation area in close proximity to Scargo Tower, named Scargo Park. The tower and park are named for the legendary Nobscussett Indian Princess Scargo who was so beautiful that legend has it other Indian warriors would come from all parts of Cape Cod just to see her and bring gifts to help sustain her people.

Dennis, like much of Cape Cod, has numerous conservation areas great for hiking and animal watching. Scargo Park is a hidden gem down a windy dirt road just off of Scargo Hill Road. With an elevated view of Scargo Lake, along with swings for children and a sheltered picnic area, this conservation area is a worthwhile stop for any visitor.

Old Bass River Road, another historical drive, leads you to another great conservation area called Indian Lands. Located next to the Dennis Town Offices, the Indian Lands conservation area is actually closer to three areas in one. There is a set of paths which lead down toward Bass River with a great view of the Highbank Bridge. The master path runs along the power lines and is a tougher hike with soft sand and stones mixed together. The other pathway is a set of defunct railroad tracks(left) almost totally overgrown with small trees and plants. Follow these and you will come to a bridge crossing over Bass River with a view of the rushing highway traffic rushing by on the right.

Not to be missed in the same parking area as the Indian Lands and the Dennis Town Offices is another piece of history. Called either Old South Dennis Cemetery or Dennis Ancient Cemetery(right), it lies behind the Town Offices in a fenced in area but is accessible. The graves contain some of the last names most associated with Cape Cod. Names like Baker, Bangs, and Nickerson fill many of the plots.

There is nothing against all of the great beaches and other historical sites that Dennis has to offer. They should all be visited as well. Once those have all been seen, or if you are trying to see the Cape Cod that locals know, check out the places mentioned above. You won’t be disappointed. Have fun and happy traveling!

Directions: Bray Farm: from Rt. 6A turn on Bray Farm Road and follow it to the end.

Nobscussett Indian Burial Grounds: from Rt. 6A, turn left on Osprey Lane, located less than ½ mi. east of the Red Pheasant Inn. Grounds are directly across the street, but parking is difficult, may be better off walking to this spot from elsewhere.

Scargo Park: from Rt. 6A, turn onto Old Bass River Road. Take left onto Scargo Hill Road. Scargo Tower is designated by a big sign; Scargo Park is the second left after the tower.

Dennis Town Offices: from Rt. 6A, turn onto Old Bass River Road, follow it approximately four miles. The town offices are designated by a green sign on the right side. There is access to both the Indian Trails and the Dennis Ancient Cemetery from the parking lot.

References: Cape Cod Gravestones

The Legend of Princess Scargo

Cape Cod Commission - History of Rt. 6A

South Dennis on Dwellable

In My Footsteps: Trip 2: Truro, Mass.

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 2: Truro, Massachusetts
January 14, 2010

     It may be one of the smallest towns on Cape Cod, but Truro stacks up against any of the others when it comes to natural beauty and historical attractions. Located only thirty-eight miles from Hyannis, the commercial epicenter of Cape Cod, the tiny town of Truro seems to be the closest to how Cape Cod must have appeared when the first Pilgrims set foot on it nearly 400 years ago. Probably known to some simply as the gateway to Provincetown, Truro is relatively unknown to the average traveler. For anybody seeking a real taste of the unchanged natural beauty of Old Cape Cod, take an afternoon or a whole day and drive up to Truro.

Once you get past Wellfleet Center on Route 6, the Cape’s main highway, you will begin to notice just wide open the Outer Cape really is. Established in 1709, Truro is home to many beautiful beaches both on the eastern, Atlantic Ocean, side and the western, Cape Cod Bay, side. The first stop was Ryder Beach(right), a nicely secluded stretch of beach nestled ten minutes from Route 6 on the bay side. Taking a right onto Prince Valley Road will get you there. Though there are several lavish homes in the area surrounding the parking lot, Ryder Beach has a very cozy feel. Perhaps it is due to the fact that it is tucked away down several rural roads and is therefore not easily found. There is extensive erosion control going on at Ryder Beach so be aware of the signs. Otherwise, enjoy the breathtaking views. On a clear day you can see the shoreline from nearby Provincetown all the way out across Cape Cod Bay toward Plymouth and the South Shore.

After leaving Ryder Beach the next area I visited was Pamet Harbor, the birthplace of the American Whaling industry. Named for the tribe of Indians that inhabited the land there was barely a boat to be found in Pamet Harbor during the dead of winter, although the harbor was bustling with activity. At the mouth of the Pamet River a jetty heavily damaged by a recent storm was being rebuilt. The sounds of gigantic boulders being carried and deposited only a few hundred yards away echoed throughout the clear, calm January air. Truro’s harbor houses some amazing scenery which would be appreciated more in the warmer months. Also the Pamet Harbor Yacht & Tennis Club, located adjacent to the harbor, should be visited during a trip to Truro as well.

Next up was another out of the way beach, Ballston Beach. A quick journey across Route 6 via an underpass to the ocean side of Truro leads you to yet another beautiful scenic view. Situated near the end of North Pamet Road, Ballston Beach itself is small; the sandy pathway to the beach was off limits due to an open trench caused by a recent storm. Slightly to the north sit a pair of homes sitting majestically atop a pair of high hills. On this particular day, where the snow was still covering most of the ground, the hills looked like mountains ripe for skiing or sledding(left).

Back across Route 6 sits Corn Hill and Corn Hill Beach. Corn Hill Beach(right), conveniently located on Corn Hill Road, runs out to the mouth of the Pamet River which contains a different view of Pamet Harbor. If an overnight stay is desired the Roseville at Corn Hill cottages are located directly across the street from the beach. With all of the amazing views nearby it is almost recommended. Corn Hill’s name is taken from a group of sixteen pilgrims, led by Miles Standish, who discovered the precious Indian corn on that spot in 1620. Also of note, Ralph Barnaby became the first to exceed Orville Wright’s American record for motorless flight at Corn Hill. In 1929 Barnaby flew for 15 minutes, 8 seconds, breaking the Wright record of 9 minutes, 45 seconds set in 1911. Markers on the edge of the parking lot at Corn Hill Beach designate these events. Following Corn Hill Road to the top leads to a scenic overlook of not only the coastline, but also a marshy area below inhabited by blue herons.

Before leaving Truro, I had to see the most popular attraction, that being Cape Cod Highland Light. Highland Light(left), which is surrounded by the Highland Links Golf Course, is the oldest lighthouse on Cape Cod; the current tower was finished in 1857. It was moved back 453 feet from the eroding cliffs in 1996 to save it from possible collapse. Looking to the south one can see several structures which lay on the grounds of the defunct North Truro Air Force Station. Though it is no longer operational, it is considered government property and therefore cannot be explored. The lighthouse, however, can be climbed from mid-May to mid-October.

After visiting Truro it amazes me that more people have not discovered this scenic jewel of Cape Cod. Take my advice and make it a point to visit not just the places noted here, but others such as Pilgrim Heights that I did not have the time to see. Have fun and happy traveling!


Directions: Ryder Beach: From Rt. 6, left onto Prince Valley Rd. Drive until meeting Old Colony Road, turn right. Left onto Ryder Beach Road, follow to the beach lot.
Pamet Harbor: From Rt. 6, left onto South Pamet Road, turn left at Truro Center Road. Take a slight right onto Depot Road; follow it to the harbor parking lot.
Ballston Beach: From Rt. 6, right onto North Pamet Road, take a quick left onto South Pamet Road, follow it to the end.
Corn Hill: From Rt. 6, left onto Castle Road which turns into Castle Hill Road. Follow it; this will become Corn Hill Road. Beach and overlook are on it.
Cape Cod Highland Light: From Rt. 6 take right onto Highland Road exit. A large sign designates this exit. Follow the signs to the lighthouse.

References: Cape Cod Highland Light
Truro Chamber of Commerce

Truro on Dwellable

In My Footsteps: Trip 1: Falmouth & Woods Hole, Mass.

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In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 1: Falmouth & Woods Hole

January 7, 2010

Falmouth and Woods Hole are two must-sees for any Cape Cod traveler. Falmouth has plenty of stores and restaurants but those can be seen in any town. What I was most interested in were the beaches and historical places that both Falmouth and Woods Hole possess.

The best way to discover and appreciate the natural beauty of Falmouth is to take a drive down Shore Street to Surf Drive. The aptly named Surf Drive Beach(below, left) stretches out for nearly a half mile, overlooked across the street by quaint homes and lovely inns and small motels. For those coming from further away needing sleeping accommodations; Shore Haven Inn and Beachside Village sport a tremendous view of the rocky, seaweed strewn beach. The narrow Fresh River empties out into Vineyard Sound along the way and housed several pairs of adorable ducks swimming and feeding. Keep your eyes peeled at the corner of Mill Road. In the front yard of a residential home, a statue of an old sea captain dressed in a blue fisherman’s raincoat waves a friendly hello to all those who pass by. Several private beach front cottages dot the remainder of the beach. They were a hint of summer even as I drove along on a windy, bitterly cold January afternoon.

The Shining Sea Bikeway, named for a line in the iconic song ‘America the Beautiful,’ crosses Surf Drive near Oyster Pond and continues its journey along the coast of Falmouth and onto Woods Hole. It is a bit too cold on this day to bike, but it should be on the schedule for any bicycling or nature enthusiast in the spring, summer, or fall.

Bearing left, Surf Drive becomes Oyster Pond Road and continues weaving through the rural wooded neighborhoods of coastal Falmouth. The bike path is clearly visible on the left at times as I peer through the bare trees. I follow Oyster Pond Road for a while until reaching Nobska Road. Taking this left leads you to the southern most tip of Falmouth and the famed Nobska Lighthouse(right).

Originally constructed in 1828, the current light tower was built in 1876 and became part of the Coast Guard in 1939. It overlooks Vineyard Sound with the privately owned Elizabeth Islands located less than a mile offshore. The island of Martha’s Vineyard sits a few miles further out. There are also some very high rocky cliffs bordering Nobska Road. These are ideal for scenic photography, but they are also dangerous so be careful where you step.

Nobska Road becomes Church Street as you pass the lighthouse. The similarly named Nobska Pond sits on the right. Following Church Street leads to the intersection with Woods Hole Road. A left turn leads you down into the heart of one of the most highly regarded scientific communities on earth. Woods Hole is home to the Sea Education Association, Marine Biological Laboratory(below, right), and the famous Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). Most of these buildings are open to the public unless otherwise noted, feel free to walk around and get a real taste of what goes on here.

For those not interested in the scientific areas of Woods Hole, there are plenty of other things to see. Mixing in quite seamlessly with the 21^st Century technology is the look and feel of a 19^th Century fishing village.

Water Street, the main passage way of Woods Hole, is home to many small restaurants and cafes including Shuckers and Captain Kidd. The Woods Hole - Oak Bluffs ferry to Martha’s Vineyard is always coming in and out, so a trip to the island is quite easy, and tempting.

For kids there are two aquariums, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium on Water Street and the Aquarium of National Marine Fisheries located a short walk away on Albatross Street. The Marine Fisheries aquarium is home to many spectacular species of fish, crabs, lobsters, eels, and my favorite the seal tank. Located outside in the front of the aquarium, the seals are usually fed twice a day. The 11:00am feeding is almost always right on schedule. There are also tanks with creatures that can be gently handled, along with a historical ‘walkthrough’ complete with life-sized photos near the entrance.

Everything in Woods Hole is a short walk away. There is plenty of parking along Water Street(left) but make sure to bring quarters for the parking meters! Exiting Woods Hole is as easy as heading east on Water Street back to Woods Hole Road. This can be followed all the way to its end where it meets up with busy Route 28.

Falmouth and Woods Hole are two of the most exciting places to visit on Cape Cod. Especially Woods Hole which is one part Olde Cape Cod village and one part scientific epicenter, woven seamlessly together. I highly recommend anybody visiting Cape Cod, or wishing to do so, to take this route described above. It is a worthwhile trip filled with both natural beauty and education that can be enjoyed any time of the year. Have fun and happy traveling!

From the East: Take Rt. 28 into Falmouth and turn left on Shore Street to begin the trip. It is located approximately 500 feet past the fire station.

From the West: Follow Rt. 28 south from the Bourne Bridge approximately ten miles. Shore Street is the next right after the Falmouth Public Library. Or, to do the trip in reverse, follow Rt. 28 as stated, but instead take a right onto Locust Street which leads to Woods Hole Road. There you may start the trip where I ended it.

References: Welcome to the Village of Woods Hole

Cuttyhunk Historical Society

Surf Drive on Dwellable

For My Nana

Sleep now, as your long day is over. You’ve been chasing the sunset for so long now. Rest now, in the arms of the angels. I can feel your pain slipping away. Dry your eyes, life is not over. The sunrise of another day is born in pink and blue. Your peace is here, our peace is near. Your peace is here, our peace is near. You’re an angel now.

-I love you Nana.

Meet Miss Mabel on October 1st

Miss Mabel's Magical Magnolia Tree

What if the Fountain of Youth existed in your own backyard? That is the blessing and curse discovered on a warm spring afternoon by 85 year old Mabel Cottonstine. It flows beneath her majestic magnolia tree, filling the tree and all of its flowers with the magic elixir of life. After making a batch of a sweet tea using the flowers, Miss Mabel turns back into a vibrant 25 year old. She shares the gift with her best friends Hazel and Gertrude and they suggest she sell the sweet tea to other old people to give them a second chance at youth. It is a huge success and Miss Mabel rakes in more money than she could have ever imagined. But, what happens when the love of the money she's making overtakes the reality that the magnolia tree only has so many flowers that can be made into the magical drink?


Hey everyone, this is my first attempt at a summary for my newest children's book Miss Mabel's Magical Magnolia Tree, due to be released October 1st. The one major hurdle I have is the cover art. I am not quite sure what type of image to use and am open to suggestions. Normally with my other books I have something in mind but I am drawing a blank here.

Also, anybody who is a parent and would like a copy of this when it is finished just let me know. Being my friends I will be happy to share my work with you as long as you spread the word about what I am doing. Thank you all as always for your support.

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