Sunset from Point Judith 3/21/20

March is a perfect month to go to the beach. Not to swim, of course, but rather to have some quiet time, really meditate to the sounds of the waves crashing, relax. You'd be hard-pressed to find your typical, obnoxious summer crowd on the beach during this time, due to the remnants of winter still blowing-cold along the coast. If you can put the temperature aside, it truly is a great time to be out.

Fisherman's Memorial State Park

Former military fort turned campground, Fisherman's Memorial is a place rich in history. This area was once known as Fort Greene, named after Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War general, who served under George Washington during the Siege of Boston.

The base was built in 1943 during World War II, as the first line of defense to any would-be invaders of Narragansett Bay. The site grew to include a few 16"/50 caliber Mark 2 guns (can't say I know what any of those numbers mean, but it sounds menacing). These guns had a range of 45,000 yards, in all directions! Also on base was a plotting room, military bunkers, and a fire control tower disguised as a barn silo.

Looking over Point Judith from atop the old fort.

Another section of the base. Likely to be where
one of the Mark 2 guns were housed.

Certain sections of the base were abandoned after World War II, leading to the state purchasing the property in 1953 with the hopes of turning it into a state park. They were successful in their efforts, and ended up naming it Fisherman's Memorial, to thank all local sport and commercial fisherman who keep Rhode Island's economy alive.

Battle of Point Judith

I can't go any further without acknowledging one of the few battles during World War II which took place off the coast of the United States. As the name implies, the battle transpired right off the rocky cape of Point Judith, in May of 1945.

Several German ships were surveying the American coastline that month, one of which was U-853, a German submarine stationed in Block Island Sound. In the same area was the SS Black Point, a collier ship (designed to transport coal) which was heading for Boston. Without being provoked, the German U-boat fired upon the ship, sinking it immediately.

It took a day of searching, but finally, the German U-boat was located, and bombarded by two blimps and the USS Moberly. The ship had been sunk, everyone on board drowned, succumbing to the cold waters surrounding them. By the end of the battle, 12 Americans had died, along with all 55 passengers of the U-boat. Germany would surrender only two days later.

Some folks say you can see the ghostly apparition of
  the USS Black Point, still in the midst of it's final voyage.

Sunset From Point Judith

The Point Judith area is beyond words, it's one of those "legendary" New England locales that you hear about from tourists. This is with good reason, whether it be a warm summer day or a breezy Saturday night in March, it's surefire way to make memories you'll never forget.

I was with my family that March night, and the sky was beautiful. Bands of color laid across the sky, the bushes were beginning to bud as well, with the ever-present light atop the Point Judith Lighthouse visible for miles. All around, a great experience.

The rocky shore of Point Judith, a cargo ship passing
in the distance.

The sun setting over one of the jetties, which was
covered with people.

Me, hoisting a piece of driftwood to the sky!

It really doesn't matter what time of year it is, or what kind of person you are. Almost everybody can find beauty in places like this. And unlike a mountain, which can only be reached by a long, strenuous trail, it's accessible to everybody. Not only does Point Judith have history, but it has plenty of beauty to go along with it.

Mount Carleton and Journey's End 8/23/20

The Long Trail

The Long Trail of Vermont has always stood out to me as the finest example of what a "long distance" trail should be. It runs for a total of 273-miles through the backwoods of Vermont, winding it's way through large boreal forests, over quartzite ledges, and atop the state's tallest peaks, such as Mt.Mansfield and Camel's Hump.

Originally conceived in 1909, the Long Trail's construction lasted from 1910 to 1930, making it the oldest long-distance trail in the United States (the Appalachian Trail wouldn't be finished until 1937). It was built by the Green Mountain Club, who continue to maintain the path to this day. The southern-terminus can be found on the border with Massachusetts, while the northern-terminus can be found along the international border with Quebec.

While I've never thru-hiked the trail, I have been to both ends (almost). A few years ago I ventured out to Pine Cobble in Williamstown, where I came within close proximity to the southern-terminus. Sadly, the temperature that day was an unforgiving 96 degrees, which deterred me from making the brief walk from the cobble to the border.

Mount Carleton

It was a very comfortable summer morning in northern Vermont when my dad and I decided to tackle Mt.Carleton, with a promise of a view at the Quebec border. The air was cool, the roads were quiet, and the fog still lingered above the lowlands. Northern Vermont (specifically the Northeast Kingdom) is such a beautiful area, with sweeping views around every corner.

One of many views from VT-105.

While parked at the trailhead on route 105, I couldn't help but think about all the thru-hikers who have crossed the highway, knowing it's the last road they'll be crossing on their journey.

This particular piece of the Long Trail is very pleasant, meandering over bumpy landscape and through pleasant stands of pine. We made it to the summit in no time.

Through a picturesque pine forest.

I'd looked into Mt.Carleton before, and heard rumors of a pleasant vista from it's piney summit. However, as the years have gone by, the trees have finally started taking the summit back, leaving us with little to no view.

One of two summit signs, marking the elevation.

The "view" from Carleton, long after it's glory.

From here, the trail got very rugged, with large tree roots and rocky terrain disrupting the flow of the trail. It's important that I bring up the latitude 45 degrees sign on this segment of the trail, the half way point between the equator and north pole.

Brand new signs all along the trail!

Journey's End

After a long descent over rocky terrain, I could finally see it, the Quebec border, the northern-terminus of the Long Trail! While it is man-made, the border swath is still able to provide an outstanding view into Canada, specifically to the neighboring peak of Carleton, known as Mont Brock.

Benchmark in the foreground, with Mont Brock
far in the distance.

Commemorative sign discussing the Long Trail.

The Long Trail ends here, but the hike does not. For any thru-hiker who makes it to this point, they must either go back up what they just came down from Mt.Carleton, or take the shorter Journey's End Trail, which leaves to the right of the border.

Even though Mt.Carleton itself lacks a view, the hike is well worth the effort. It's a unique spot, to be able to see where so many hikers celebrate their journey's end. If I ever return here, it won't just be a day hike, that's for sure.