Walking on Water
More about Cape Cod’s Best Walk
OK, you can’t really walk on the Cape Cod water. But, when you walk in the Chapin Beach area at low tide, it sure looks like the other walkers are doing some pretty good magic. It was explained to me that this illusion is caused by an uneven sand line combining with a wide area of shallow water. Well, it looked to me just like they were walking on water.
Then I looked out across the water at several sandbars forming small islands and decided to do some island hopping. This walk from island to island across the shallow water was quite enjoyable. The sun was warm but not too hot. In all directions, the scenery in any direction was great… sailboats passing, sand dunes, volley ball games in the distance, and people walking on water. What a perfect day! The low tide area had formed a “new beach” well over a hundred yards wide and who know how long it goes - certainly long enough for a great walk. But, you might ask, “Why is this worth writing about?”.
For those who like walking along the beach, this is as good as it gets. Those who walk along the beach spent most of their time at the edge of the water. The water is refreshing and sand is most comfortable there. It just feels good to be by the water. The air feels cooler and fresher. Imagine enjoying the entire beach as much as the water’s edge? Well, guess what? That’s the way this beach is. That’s why this is The Best Walk on Cape Cod and that’s why it’s worth writing about!
Filed under: Cape Cod on July 1st, 2007 | No Comments »
After calling our stand-by lawn service I headed for Brewster’s Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. This is located on the left side of Route 6A if you’re heading East. I had heard that The Best Walk in Brewster was there. It crosses the marsh, leads to Cape Cod Bay, and passes a stream. I parked and then asked about the trail. I was also told that since I wasn’t entering the museum, the walk was free.
The walk was interesting right from the beginning. Most of it is a narrow sandy path through the woods. There a markers here and there to identify the different tree types along the way. The first section was straight. It later turned off to the left. The trail started on a decline which lead to a wide marsh field. In order to cross the field without getting wet the museum folks provided a boardwalk and a bridge. While crossing the marsh a large Osprey nest came into view. Streams formed in several spots. I later noticed the streams had widened due to a progressing tide change. The most striking thing about this area is the vastness of the marsh.
After crossing the marsh I found the sand much looser. I followed a path through a small sand dune, then down a set of stone stairs to the final stretch before the beach. A family was walking along the beach. There were two kayaks in the water. To the right was a sand bar serving as a social setting for seagulls. This area is know for its abundant supply of sand eels which are chased by Sea Bass and the seagulls. I walked for a while along the beach for a while then began walking back taking the same path. Just after climbing the stairs, I decided to take another path back.
“The Barnstable County Commissioners and the Cape Cod Commission are working with citizens and organizations from across Cape Cod to create a Capewide network of walking trails. This network is called Cape Cod Pathways. When complete, Cape Cod Pathways will extend from Provincetown to Falmouth and Bourne and provide a connection between the Seashore and the Cape’s wooded interior, between the peninsula’s historic villages and remaining backcountry. Through the work of many volunteers and civic and environmental leaders, the Pathways east-west trail between Provincetown and the upper Cape is approximately now one-third dedicated.
Cape Cod is one of the most popular places to walk in Massachusetts. As a matter of fact you can’t go anywhere without seeing people walking. They go for the beach but walking gets equal time. They walk early in the morning, late at night, and all through the day. They walk in all seasons - in all weather. You will see casual and serious walkers of all ages. The walking seems to occur everywhere, but primarily at the beaches, parks, walking trails, and through the neighborhoods. OK, you r probably thinking, that’s about everywhere. But we have to ask, where is The Best Walk!
