The leaves are starting to turn here on Cape Cod. I loved the colors in this photograph on the John Kenrick Woods Trail in Orleans. Part of the trail goes through the White Pine woods and the other part goes down this trail to Arey’s Pond.
I couldn’t decide if I liked the horizontal one or the vertical one better. What do you think?
We found some wonderful new hikes in Orleans on Cape Cod from the Orleans Walking Trails brochure that you can pick up at the Town Hall. They are all close-by and very different.
The John Kenrick Woods Trail was a pleasant surprise with trails through the White Pine forest. This tall, straight lumber was coveted for flagpoles, as well as spars and planks for sailing vessels in the 1800s. There are also more than 75 Chestnut trees on the site. It is the only location in Massachusetts where chestnuts are reproducing.
It was a wonderful hike, especially on a nice fall day. I love hiking on pine needles… so soft and quiet.
There is a really pretty hike part way around Baker’s Pond in Orleans where you get some really nice views. Baker’s Pond is a classic coastal-plain kettle pond with a sandy shoreline. There are also a couple of longer hikes off of this one if you feel adventurous.
I loved the sparkles on the water. What do you think?
I saw these bell-shaped pinkish mushrooms while hiking on the boardwalk of the Red Maple Swamp Trail at Fort Hill. I’ve never seen mushrooms like these growing on a tree before. Have you?
As you can see my the 2nd photograph, they are really small. Does anyone know what kind of mushroom they are?
I had seen this little Checkerspot butterfly out of the corner of my eye for a few days at Fort Hill but was unable to photograph it. It never came close enough until… We were walking on the trail by the marsh when it alighted on a leaf by the side of the trail. We were able to take a few photographs of this pretty butterfly.
I did a little research and found that “Checkerspot (butterfly), any of a group of small to medium-size butterflies with distinctive orange, black, and brown checkered patterning on their wings.”
Have you ever seen a Checkerspot butterfly? Pretty little thing!
I always love to hike the White Cedar Swamp Trail, part of the National Seashore, in Wellfleet on Cape Cod. It is so diverse taking you through scruffy bushes to oak trees to a forest to the White Cedar Swamp where you hike over a boardwalk and then back. It is a loop trail.
One couple summed it up perfectly today when we chatted on the boardwalk. They said it was such a “magical place.” I couldn’t think of a better way to describe it.
Put it on your “To Do” list when you visit Cape Cod!
