Not as chilly as yesterday morning, temp in high 50's when we awoke, nearing 70 by the time we set off on the bike. Rode 2 miles on cross-cape rte 137, then got on the rail-trail and headed east. A few miles to Nickerson State Park where we picked up a trail map. Several paved bike trails go about 3/4 of the way around the large park. The trails are winding, sometimes steep, and great fun to ride. S remembers the park from her childhood. To complete the circuit we'd have had to ride several hundred yards on a hiking trail and another mile or two on a horse trail. We weren't anxious to go on those, and besides, bikes aren't allowed on them. So we made it an out-and-back. We were able to take a couple of alternative trails, and every route looks different from the other direction anyway, so we ended up with about eleven fun miles in the park. We stopped at a nearby restaurant for lunch, with a sign out front:"College kids gone, patio and bouncer closed for the season". Then back on the trail and rode to First Encounter Beach, where the Pilgrims first put a boat ashore. That beach was also a frequent excursion destination for S when she was at school here. Low tide, and people were as much as 1/2 mile out on the beach toward the ocean. We walked out there, and could see the tide start to rise, with the shoreline moving inland at a little slower than walking pace. No danger, since the beach grade is slow gradual. Back at the campsite after total 32 miles riding at 3:30. Wanted to visit the Kennedy museum at Hyannis, but too late; called it a day. Beautiful weather for us and for locals celebrating end of summer. School started last week around here. A few locust trees starting to show red foliage, also a few blackgums and sassafrass trees. But only a few. Mostly still summer-green.
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