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EASTHAM ASHUMETHCLLYANDWILDLIFESANCTUARY.
NATICNALESTUARINERESEARCHRESERVE
EASTHAM
BYTOM KEER
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coastal towns have become
Throughout history, American
ports' Commerce boomed' lodging'
famousbecauseof their
flourished' and these
dining, and shopping establishments
of activity' Coastal towns
towns quickly became epicenters
to live
by' their citizens relegated
without a port were passed
and the like' At first glance'
off the land raising vegetables
gems'
Easthamis one of these hidden
in exploring its off-the-beaten
The beauty of Easthamlies
here' the more treasures
paths. The more time you spend
if
Thoreau thought so' and
you will uncover' Henry David
by a tour through Eastham'
your kids or visitors are bored
or audio tape The Outermost
give them Henry Beston'sbook
on Eastham'sNauset
chronicles one year spent
House.Beston
complain of the mundane'
Beach and not once did he
attract visitors from around
Ocean and bayside beaches
aka Dr' Beach' voted
the world. Dr' Stephen Leathermant
the
a "2007 Best Beach in
Eastham's Coast Guard Beach
marsh
cuard Beach,you passa salt
world.,,To get to coast
before
station
Cuard lifesaving
on your way to an old Coast
bars'
sandy beach with offshore
arriving at a wide, white
fishing' or kiteboarding'
perfectly suited for swimming'
the
perennial favorite as well' On
Nauset Light Beach is a
Three Sishere' be sure to visit the
way to catch some waves
lighthouse
three picture-perfect
ters Lighthouse, a string of
order'
apart' One is in working
structures about 150 yards
as livwithout lensesthat served
with two similar structures
ing quarters.
that favor smaller crowds'
Families with small chlldren
Sunkwater frequent the bay side's
mellow surf, and warmer
and First Encounter Beaches'
en Meadow, Cooks Brook'
At
to the National Seashore'"
Eastham is the "Cateway
a
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EASTHAM
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VE
the Salt Pond Visitor Center, you can
focusedaround the Vindmill
learn about culture and life on the At-
built in 1680.The green is the scene
Creen,
m o n i n E a s t h a m .I f y o u ' r e a n a n t i q u e hound, don't miss Collector's World
it
lantic coast.Take a walk on the Nauset
for weekend events throughout the
on Route 6 or the Cristmill Callery.
lir
M a r s h h i k l n g t r a i l ,w h i c h i s a h a l f - m i l e
summer that range from arts-and-
M o s t a n t i q u es h o p s o n C a p e C o d f e a -
T]
loop through ftelds and an oak-and-
crafts shows to antique car festivals.
ture marine or nautical items such as
tu
pine forest. If you're a birder, be sure
Leave it to a portless coastal town to
ship's lanterns, scrimshaw,and weath-
fo
to bring along a pair of binoculars.
make a party out of growing veggies-
ervanes, but here you'll find land-
hr
the Eastham Turnip Fest arrivesjust in
based antiques, too. Lucy J's Class
ce
time for Thanksgivingl
s p e c i a l i z e si n g l a s s a r t , f r o m s t a i n e d
of
Hotels and motels abound along
glass,fused glass,or jewelry. On rainy
ye
Two sections run through Eastham.
Route 6, but many visitors to Eastham
days, ScrapnCraftz is jammed with
No tracks from the old Penn Central
favor quieter inns or bed-and-break-
families buying materials for creat-
ta
Railways remain; instead, you'll find a
fasts. The Whalewalk Inn is arguably
ing scrapbooks. Blackbeard'sBait and
widened and paved trail through tne
Eastham's most luxurious inn
and
Tackle near the post office will get
M
(n
woods and near the beaches.
spa.There are l6 rooms and full spa
you catchin' insteadof fishin',and if
is
th
be
I f y o u c o n s i d e ra t w o - m i l e b i k e r i d e
a merewarm-up,try the 22-mile Dennis to Vellfleet Cape Cod Rail Tiail.
a m e n i t i e s ,i n c l u d i n g m a s s a g ea n d a r o -
you break down on the bike path, Idle
bayside jaunt, starting at Rock Har-
m a t h e r a p y s e r v i c e s ,w h i r l p o o l s , a n d
llmes or Little Capistrano will get you
bor Road, past First Encounter Beach,
saunas.The Over Look Inn is a former
peddlingagain.
with scenic stopovers at Boat Meadow
s e ac a p t a i n ' sm a n s i o n ,b u i l t i n l 8 9 1 . I t ' s
Beach and Dog Beach. For a longer
i n c l o s ep r o x i m i t y t o t h e R a i l t a i l a n d
ice cream and mini-golf is un-Ameri-
m(
en
The first section is a 10.7-mile
it
Remember:zlSUrrrrernight without
Ia
ride, try the 15.2-mileride from the
walking paths. Rooms at the Penny
can. There are three miniature golf
visitor center past Thumpertown,
H o u s e I n n , b u i l t i n 1 6 9 0 ,c o m e w i t h
courseson Route 6 in Eastham: Poit's,
te(
Sunken Meadow, and Nauset Beaches.
modernamenities
the Cift Barn, and Adventure Mini
hu
Many of Eastham's activities are
Eclectic specialty shops are com-
Colf t
syr
ge
ASHUMET
ml
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CONTINUED
an
ary is a quaint reservethat seemsmuch
F o r a d a y o f l e i s u r e l yh i k i n g a n d e x -
and fall with the seasons.The pictur-
fel
bigger than it actually is, thanks to the
ploring, start at the sanctuary'sNature
esque wetland habitats that surround
M
2,000-acre buffer of state, town, and
Center, a quick walk from the park-
the pond are home to hundreds of bird,
in
private property that surroundsit. The
i n g l o t . I t f e a t u r e sa l a r g e i n f o r m a t i o n
a m p h i b i a n , a n d m a m m a l s p e c i e s .T i y
frr
property'srare natural elementsrequire
b o a r d w i t h t i p s o n a n e c o l o g i c a lv i s i t
t o s p o t s o m eo f t h e m o r e t h a n 1 0 0b i r d
or
visitors to exhibit some extra caution:
to the sanctuary.Be sure to check out
species,and be sure to come back in a
n o s m o k i n g , f i s h i n g ,o r h u n t i n g o f a n y
the bird barn, often full of commotion
few months to enjoy the late-summer
kind is permitted, and no bicyclesor
from 35 pairs of barn swallows from
rainbow of rare wildflowers that will
S;
2t
motorized vehicles are allowed on the
May until August.
border the pond's sandy shoreline.
ut
premises. Visitors are asked to leave
The Crassy Pond Tiail loops around
F o l l o w t h e s i g n st o t h e v e r n a l p o o l .
5(
pets at home, since pets can disrupt
the 3,000-foot pond that provides its
A breeding ground for hundreds of
m
established ecosystems and threaten
namesake. It's the reserve's longest
a m p h i b i a n s , t h e s m a l l , f t s h l e s sp o o l
native wildlife. Throw on your long
path and takes about an hour to navi-
forms each spring from melted snow
pants, socks, and sneakersto protect
gate. The Crassy Pond itself is the
and water runoff. Hop
around the
a
against poison ivy and ticks, and pack
centerpieceof the sanctuary,a rare and
Mystery Ti'ee Tiail or veer off onto the
al
a brown-bag lunch from home to en-
endangered natural habitat known as a
Rhododendron Tiail, which boastssev-
joy at one of the sanctuary'spictur-
kettle pond. It was formed during the
eral varieties of the colorful flower for
esquepicnicking areas.
last Ice Age, and its water levels rise
which it is named. Keep an eye out for
46
MAY 2008
www. capecod life.com
K