Massasoit State Park
Summer means one thing to some people: camping. Maybe they’re from the super RV crowd or maybe they keep it simple opting only for a tent and a bedroll. Sleeping under the stars, getting back to nature, finding the right mosquito repellant, if these things get you excited then this is the time of year for you.
Alas though, one such resource for the camping set is unavailable this year. The Massasoit State Park Campground will be closed for the 2009 season as the electrical system that supplies the camping facilities is in desperate need of repair. Hopefully the problem will be rectified before the 2010 season. In the interim the Department of Conservation and Recreation points out that Scusset Beach State Reservation, Salisbury Beach State Reservation and Wompatuck State Park are all still in working condition.
This does not preclude visitors from making a day at Massasoit however. Trails weave throughout the dense forest and betwixt its four lakes making for a fairly healthy walk, a good day’s cycling or even horseback riding. The fishing is said to be pretty decent in the lakes and swimming is allowed from the beach at Middle Pond.
When the water level at Middle Pond is low the truly adventurous can make an attempt at reaching the two small islands near the pond’s northern edge. When the pond is “full” the isles simply appear to be small pieces of land with a flock of pine trees precariously balanced atop the isles.
When the water levels ebb though, then the two isles connect via a sort of land bridge. The water recedes leaving behind evidence of what was probably more forest, the roots and trunks of several dozen trees poking from the shallow water. Enough people have attempted the crossing from the Bridle Trail to the island, most likely traversing a makeshift bridge of felled trees and large stones, to reach the isolated site.
No doubt the results of different groups, one spot has a rather modest cache from some geocachers, while another has a decent collection of emptied Old Milwaukee cans.
Fantasy Island? Not even close, but a pretty fun experience anyway.
For more info:
For updated information on the status of Massasoit's Campground go to http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/campInfo/massasoitclose.htm
Also, for a view of the isle from an almost 3D perspective go to http://photosynth.net/. Do a search for Parsifal. The title seemed appropriate for the tone of the photos.
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