PSST! I have a secret. Most of New England's natural treasures are not so secret after all.
Take this pond, for example. Situated in a wooded area in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, tucked away behind a few homes on privately owned land, just a stone's throw from Trustom Pond, this small pond is a well known secret to locals, a haven of peace and tranquility and some mighty good fishing. While beachgoers from out of town flock to state beaches in droves, you might be more likely to find me and a few young anglers trekking through some friendly local's back yard (with permission, of course), poles in hand, for a quiet morning of fishing and fun.
A far more public but equally scenic and tranquil spot lies at West Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut - or rather, underneath it. For me, everything about this place is quintessential New England -
from the antique covered bridge, the river, the nearby homes and
gardens, to the delightful Wandering Moose Cafe. When I visited in June, the water was relatively low and calm. Fly fisherman cast scenic silhouettes against a setting sun as children scampered across exposed areas of river rock, only occasionally slipping into the ankle deep water with a happy splash.
Having grown up "across the pond" on Long Island's north shore, and having spent innumerable hours riding ferries back and forth across Long Island Sound over the years, I am ashamed to admit a profound ignorance about the Connecticut coastline (barring, of course, the harbor yards at Bridgeport and New London, which don't really count). My recent trip to the Thimble Islands near Branford, Connecticut opened my eyes to some of Connecticut's real treasures. My kids and I boarded the Volsunga IV charter boat a couple weeks ago and listened as the hilariously dry Captain Bob gave a 45-minute historical and geographical guided tour of the islands. I was shocked by the beauty of the place, by the abundant kayaks and sail boats, by the scenic and stunning views that were accessible to average folk like me. I will add "private island, preferably in the Thimbles" to my Christmas list, but in the meantime, I may just take a few more tours with Captain Bob. You should too.
My last not so secret hidden gem of a space is Surfside Beach located on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. For the past couple years I've been fortunate enough to spend some time lolling about the shoreline about a half-mile or so from the public part of this most perfect ocean beach of all. Standing on this unspoiled, sparsely populated beach even during the height of the summer season, you feel as if you are a million miles away from the rest of the world. And guess what? You are. Waves crash, gulls screech, children cry to be unburied...it simply can't be beat.
New England can't be beat. And that's why we live here.
Great photo on 'head in sand'---I used to go to Nantucket quite a bit and miss it a lot. Love your other ideas too.
Posted by: Fairly Odd Mother | July 28, 2008 at 09:39 PM