Swimming Birds

The gang rarely gets together anymore. Work, school, kids, housework, schedules, commitments, ect. ad nauseum. Getting everyone together is like playing Whack-A-Mole. One of my friends has just about given up "playing cheerleader" trying to get everyone together.

So I was surprised when two of them jumped when biking the Cape Cod Canal Trail was brought up.

Two girlfriends and one teenage daughter added made it 6 of us heading down the Turnpike to I-495.

In two hours we were going over the Bourne Bridge, and then under it to park at the Bourne Recreation area. We accessed the trail here.

The trail is 7.5 miles on the southern side. There is a twin trail on the north side of 6.6 miles. The Bourne bridge is about 2 miles from the start of the trail, so we had about 5.5 miles to bike.

The weather was just about perfect when we got there. The wind was at our backs and the pedaling was easy. There were lots of boats passing back and forth.

These Cormorants watched our progress.

All along the trail there were fisherman and lobstermen. Many people had their bikes rigged up to carry their poles and tackle.

This guy was old school. (caption copyright Daponde enterprises)

Further on we passed under the Sagamore Bridge, very similar to the Bourne Bridge.

Soon we were near the end of the trail. We passed a small power plant, and then a marina, and finally arrived at a dirt path which led to a rocky point. There's a small beach next to the rocks.

We watched the ships pass by, and saw several Cormorants swim under the water after huge schools of tiny fish.

(My first attempt at video on this blog, in honor of 'One Web Day')http://tommydevine.blogspot.com/2007/09/one-web-day.html

From there we decide to travel on to the nearby town of Sandwich.

The biker gang.

There are several antique shops, pastry cafes and bed and breakfasts, or Food, Fire and Froth as one of them advertised. There are a lot of houses built in the 17th century. The word 'Quaint' was our summary view as we pedalled through town.

By now it was late afternoon. We found our way back to the trail (somehow) and back to the vehicles. The wind at our backs earlier was now blustering in our faces as we fought our way back. We finally got to the vehicles and packed up.

We had noticed this sign on our way here, so we decided to check it out on the way back.

The Scallop Fest was being held at Buzzard's bay on the north side of the canal.

The streets were lined with antique stores. I remember seeing this outside some homes when I was a child.

The streets were bustling, parking was scarce, and the Fest was very busy. For $17 you get admission to the Fest and a Scallop meal. Or you can pay $5 just to get in and check out the huge Arts and Crafts tent or the rides and games.

We were in the mood for something a little quieter. We crossed over a nearby bridge and gorged ourselves on fried seafood on the peaceful outside deck of this seafood shanty.

We were exercised out, stuffed, and ready to head back towards the sunset, and home.