Return to : Capebound    Set 2

A Walk on Great Island   -   9/25/04

It has been quite a while since I've walked Great Island. More often I sail over to its' southernly tip - Jeremy Point - for peaceful cookouts. But I recently read an article about the few remaining American Chestnut trees on the cape. Apparently two disease resistant specimens are located on Great Island. So off we went in search of these trees.

This monument is located at the beginning of the path to Great Island

Great Island looms ahead

Late season Rosa Ragosa blooms

Beach pickle lines the water. This is probably the largest continuous bed of this salty tasting plant. On the way I also passed three hikers with baskets full of wild mushrooms.

Colorful plants along the path

This is one stretch that shows erosion even though it is protected from the open bay.

The view toward Jeremy Point from high on a bluff.

A historical site. Over 2400 artifacts were collected here during an excavation of the old tavern that was 30 x 50. It is now grown over and no remains are visible.

We came upon this skull in a clearing off the beaten path.

Now we are closer to "Middle Marsh".

The flats look inviting but we are in search of the American Chestnut

Which we found soon after.

At first I thought it was Vanna White but then I realized it was Arlene pointing out some girded pines. You can just make out the gird marks on the pine near her left elbow. IT is apparently done to kill the pines to make more room for the chestnuts. Now I'd like to but a vowel!

Another stone marker found in the woods.

Hole in tree!

In this one low area there was a random stretch of non-indigenous birches.

After another 30 minutes of aimless wandering we came back out to this spot overlooking Cape Cod Bay.

Set 2