MASHPEE – Tiny surprises were the order of the day as we explored Lowell Holly Reservation, an undiscovered gem located on a peninsula jutting out into Mashpee-Wakeby Pond.
From what we fondly nicknamed, “Cape Cod’s tiniest beach” to a curious chipmunk, a lone fisherman dressed all in blue, and numerous perplexing forks in the trail, we found this hike to be as enjoyable as it was vexing.
Throughout the two-hour hike, we noticed numerous messages on trees, some traditional carvings—a heart with two pairs of initials—and one in particular in which a black-tipped marker was used to offer just the type of inspiration you need when you feel you may be lost in the woods, either literally or figuratively.
A quartet of bufflehead sea ducks bobbing in a tight single-file formation off shore somehow gave us comfort. As did trail markings—blue, orange, red and white—we explored them all, mostly by accident. Along the way, we enjoyed a narrow raised boardwalk that allowed us to pretend we were gymnasts, particularly in the dismount. There is also a whimsical “see-saw” boardwalk—amusing for kids or immature adults.
We finally found the path to the tip of the peninsula, Conaumet Point, just when we decided to stop looking for it and took a short video, just to prove we were there.
