If you know me, you know I have a hard time doing nothing. Last Friday I was irritated and restless and wasn’t sure what to do with myself. Usually what soothes my nerves is the sound of the ocean and being in nature. What was my closest option to find both?
Gooseberry Island in Westport, MA.
The first thing I discovered was in the winter the causeway connecting the island to the mainland is shut down. If you’ve got two legs (or four) you can walk around the gate and dodge the waves splashing over the road to hike the island. What I loved most about this adventure was the lack of people or noise, other than the seagulls and waves. I was hoping to see a Snowy Owl on the beach, but no such luck.
But I was rewarded with a beautiful sandy beach, blue skies, and fresh air. Once I got to the tip of the island, I ran out of sandy beach, and encountered a rocky, wet stretch of beach. Not wanting to crank my ankle, or break any toes, I veered inland and followed a flat, wide road back that ran straight down the center of the island. Apparently, the island once had houses on it in the 1950’s, but most were wiped out by hurricanes, so in 1956 the state took over the island. All that remains are two World War II cement lookout towers, and the road that once had houses along it.
As I walked along the road I could feel my irritation falling away, and my buzzing thoughts quieting. I definitely recommend an adventure to sort yourself out.
