Fall Mums, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Two weeks of mum growth.



Mid-October in Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Along a gravel road in Manomet, this field slowly takes on a golden hint of fall. Note the long sleeves and long pants in the mild chill of late afternoon.

The last remains of a vibrant garden at this home built in 1886.

I imagine this house will have really good candy to hand out on Halloween - ah, to be a kid again. I remember getting home with all the treats and spreading it out on the floor and trading with my brother and sister for the good stuff, whatever that was - it certainly wasn't the healthful apples that were common back then. And now that I recall, since I was the youngest, I doubt I ended up with all the "good stuff." It's difficult to be a shrewd trader when you're five.

 

 



Downtown Plymouth, Leyden and Main Streets, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Leyden Street has been used continuously since the Pilgrims came to Plymouth in 1620 and claims to be the oldest in the original colonies. Houses have been built and rebuilt over the centuries and former residents included Mayflower arrivals, descendants, ship captains ......

We are in the last few weeks of window box season before the frost and  freezing temperatures take over.

The First Parish Church at the top of Leyden Street purports to be the oldest church congregation in the United States in continuous operation.

An ambulance races by the corner of Leyden and Main Streets. (The blur was created by my in-camera HDR function).

Downtown Plymouth.

Like any self-respecting town in America, Plymouth has a popular Mexican restaurant downtown. Ours is housed in a converted fire station - beautiful brick and woodwork inside - the three arches in the front were the stalls for the fire equipment.



Signs of Fall, Myles Standish State Forest, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Sprawling across the southern sections of Plymouth and Carver, Myles Standish State Forest is the largest publicly owned recreation area in southeastern Massachusetts. It offers five camping areas, tucked into the forest or set along the edges of four of the park's 16 ponds. The forest totals about 15,00 acres, and is located less than 50 miles south of Boston.  The photo above is part of East Head Pond and Reservoir.

They also have a section of the Charge Pond area that is set aside specifically for horse camping - I'd like to see a horse pitch a tent and start a campfire.......

A day-use area at College Pond offers picnicking, swimming, fishing, and canoeing. 

Fifteen miles of bicycle trails, 35 miles of equestrian trails and 13 miles of hiking trails take visitors deep into the forest, which includes one of the largest contiguous pitch pine/scrub oak communities north of Long Island - but thanks to random maple trees we still get some typical fall color.

I don't understand why someone would buy a camouflage kayak, dress in camouflage coat, pants, and hat - and then use a bright orange paddle - go figure.

Great South Pond, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

A calm cloudy day on one of Plymouth's many ponds.



Fall, Manomet Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

 

Shadows are long on a beautiful fall afternoon on top of Manomet Bluff. This view is toward the north and east. Provincetown, 26 miles distant across Cape Cod Bay, is right of center on the horizon - not that you can see it but it's there. (Not that Provincetown has ever been "right of center" but I wasn't referring to their politics).

The view looking south and east, the Cape Cod canal is a few miles beyond the distant point of land.

At low tide, another beautiful afternoon at the beach - and not very many folks braving the 50 degree air and stiff breeze to enjoy it.

There were also special visitors at the beach, one wearing Oakland Athletics baseball regalia - unusual to see that around here - most everyone only wears Boston Red Sox gear.  It's even more unusual since this man is a life-long die-hard New York Yankees fan but, wearing Oakland regalia makes sense because they are proud parents whose son is a pitcher for Oakland and is living the dream of almost every boy in America: to grow up and play professional baseball !



Bah, Humbug!

Call me old-fashioned but, the middle of October seems way too early to start hawking Christmas decorations in stores. Can't they at least wait until November?  I guess not. I had to go to the store yesterday morning and this is what I saw.



Middleborough Town Hall, Middleborough, Massachusetts, USA

The Middleborough Town Hall restoration project continues as the first hints of fall are visible in the trees.

The cupola has been restored and the dome reinforced.

Nearby, the late afternoon sun highlights the beginning fall colors on this maple tree. Odd that most of the tree is still green except this one branch.

Nobska Lighthouse, Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

A Nobska Lighthouse has stood here in Falmouth since 1828.  This current version was constructed in 1876. It is visible 17 miles out to sea.

A few folks are enjoying the beautiful fall day on the beach by the lighthouse.



Falmouth Coast, Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

View along the coast of Falmouth, looking southwestward towards Woods Hole and the Elizabeth Islands.

An abandoned dock, the view southward, the island of Martha's Vineyard on the distant horizon.

A really small cottage/house right on the Falmouth coastline just above the high tide line.