To Connecticut ... and beyond!

Squaw Hole @ Bolton Notch

On this latest sojourn, I once again met up with Rhode Island's, Grand Explorer: Mike G., whom we call the Rhody Mountain Man - or just RMM for short. The first stop of the morning was to examine small cave formations in marble beds at Bolton Notch, CT. These cave formations have a long ago history connected to the Native Americans of the area. With this under our belt, we pressed further east to the Wolf Den where Israel Putnam made his famous wolf kill within the small cave. Finishing up our day together, we went over to the 7 Wonders to see the 'new' discoveries RMM made with the assist of some old time literature describing rocky formations that can be found there. I then bid Mike goodbye and headed on over to RI for a one night camping stay.

Sliding Rock @ Fall River

Upon arising the next day, it was across Rhode Island with my eye on landing in Fall River, MA. First order of business was to drop in at old South Park, now known as Kennedy Park, to see the Sliding Rock. I then shifted to the northern end of town to take a new set of photos of Creeping Rock that would replace the poor results I obtained two springs ago. Jumping over to Dartmouth, I found absolutely no success in accessing the Nonquitt shoreline as it is all a private, gated community. But I did locate a kayak put in a couple miles north. So stay tuned: more may follow. Before heading off to my campsite for the next three nights, I sought out the location of the now collapsed Profile Rock in the Assonet section of Freetown. Another great loss of a unique geologic feature.

House Rock @ Fall River

Gary Rocks - early 1900's postcard

The third day was begun by hopping over to the west side of Taunton - often known as Westville - to continue previous explorations in the Rocky Woods section. Several boulders - and several walks - were involved. One to 're-acquire' the location of House Rock which I seemed to lose along the way. But, it did allow me to track down a large split rock formation (strangely) called ... Split Rock! After killing the morning in Westville, I headed on up to Norton for the purpose of which I brought my kayak along. This was the search of Barrowsville Pond for Gary Rocks. A Miss Gary disappeared in the fall of 1782 only to have her body found the next spring wedged in these rocks. A weed choked pond made for difficult navigation but I was successful. Heading north, I kayaked up the waterway feeding the pond to see pleasant surroundings and wildlife.

Solitude Stone

Day four started slightly to the east at the rock that the Town of Rock takes its name from. Then it was north to the Land of Bridgewaters to observe the present situation at Minister's Rock, which has (seemingly) been incorporated into a modern housing development. The next couple hours were spent with local resident Marjorie, an old friend I first met over 15 years ago at Sachem's Rock. A bit to the west was Pulpit Rock and Solitude Stone. The day was finished in the north in northwest corner of Plymouth County at Indian Cave, sometimes called King Philip's.

Split Rock @ Borderland State Park

Day five was the final day and time to pull up camp. I knew it would likely be a short day but made it count with among the boulders at Borderland State Park. Included was Balance Rock, the gargantuan Split Rock, and the Ames Boulder, named for the family who once owned these grounds.

The Richmond Boulder Train

One of the more interesting entries in the field of glacial geology in Berkshire County, is the story of the Richmond Boulder Train . Lines of boulders that the ice age glacier ripped off in the area of The Knob over across the State line in Lebanon, NY. These were spread across a distance, that some sources say, reach as far as near Lee, MA. I was able to join a Hertigae Walk this day to hear more about this - and to take a short walk to observe a couple of the large rocks.

Long overdue, this journey eventually landed me back in Essex County, with my usual overnight accommodations upon Cape Ann.

Bennett's Rock - early 1900s postcard

Wolf Rocks

However, there were things to do on the ride in. This began at a large lake in Harvard. The purpose was twofold: to get use to traveling with a kayak again. And to give the lake a second look over (previously done 4 years prior) for a couple of historical sites from the golden age of postcards. A little more success on this paddle as Bennet's/Bennett's Rock was located but a definitive match for the Hanging Rock still eluded me. Certainly there are plenty of rocky islands that have been carefully checked out. But they just do not match what I have on several old postcards. On the way in to Cape Ann, a return to a nice pile of several boulders forming Wolf Rocks in northern Middlesex County.

Sliding Rock - circa 1870s

After the first night on the Cape, I began the second day with a quick look at a possible kayak put-in out Ipswich way. Then with low tide approaching, it was southward to Lynn and Swampscott. There was more images to match plus combing Lynn Woods for 'lost' rock formations. Lynn shoreline found me at Sliding Rock (apparently a bit dislocated from its historic images), Red Rock, and The Cradle. Deep in the woods of Lynn Woods, began a long hike through areas south of Walden Pond. Sites visited were Echo Rock, the likely Sugar Loaf Rock, Fox Rock, Halfway Rock, and Union Rock.

The likely Sugar Loaf Rock

Day three brought me back into the Dogtown for some modest investigations starting with the area around Dogtown Square. There's the rocks marking where James Merry was attacked - and later died - by a bull, Granny Day's cellar hole (#25) and nearby well, and a possible site for Flint Rock - marked on an old Dogtown map. After all this it was up Wharf Road to where Abram Wharf once lived at cellar hole #24. Abram ended his own life way back and, in one version of the story, crawled under a rock to carry out this deed. Although we will likely never know the exact spot this took place, a cave-like formation found near his old cellar hole would be one possibility.

I usually make at least one trip circumnavigating Cape Ann on each visits. After finishing up at Dogtown, I moved up the coast to Lanes Cove where part of the time was spent on Essex Greenbelt property. A bit further north the 16 steps carved into a large rock outcrop in the local cemetery. Coming around the northern tip of the Cape, an abbreviated visit was made to the Atlantic Trail. Then one more investigation into a boiling spring but the old image is so indefinite, a positive id would be nearly impossible. Profile Rock was also is this vicinity but starting to overgrow once again. I ended my time in Rockport by checking in at the newly restored Mill Pond, close to the center of town.

The Great Stone Face among the rolling surf

Day Four kicked brought morning rain, the likely remains of an offshore hurricane. Consequently, rough seas were present. But, I investigated the Harbor Loop area near downtown Gloucester before moving southwards to observe the angry seas from the Rafe's Chasm area. From there it was but a short drive to see those seas beating up on the Lady of Rock/Great Stone Face. By afternoon, the rains had ended and we were even treated to a bit of sunshine. This allowed me back up into Rockport where a hike into their Devil's Den took place.

The Devil's Den

On Day Five I wanted to give the old shoulder another test with the kayak. I pulled out of Jones Wharf and made my way up to the Annisquam River and eventually (just barely) out into the Ocean. The seas were still rough from the passing hurricane, so I retreated back to the inland river and shore. Next was following up on a tip of a possible minor cave formation along the Gloucester shore near one of its popular beaches. A bit of hunting (we were around low tide once again) found a chamber hidden away under a massive boulder. What followed was a walk of the backshore to once again see George Washington's profile and search out a couple other old images, including 'Uncle Joe'. However, Joe remains 'lost' if he even still exists.

Uncle Joe - from an early 1900s postcard

The Sixth (and last) Day found me lacking in energy so it was decided to leave town early. I tried a short hike in Fitchburg's Coggshall Park and stopped in Erving to pay me respects to the Hermit of Erving at his final resting place.