A Run & A Ride

I had lost track of how long it's been since I was out for a run, so I decided to get out there today. Besides, I had not used my new New Balance shoes yet and have some races coming up and needed to get some time in.

When I unpacked the clothes I had not worn in Maine, I left out a set of running shorts, shirt and socks on top of my dresser as a reminder to go running the following day. They sat there until this morning. 9:30 sounded like a good time to go. I got dressed at 10:00. 10:30 came and went. Finally at 11:00 I hit the road and ran the 5k route from the house.

I felt great! My legs and lungs were a bit annoyed initially, but I have never felt such comfort on my feet! I felt as though I was floating along the road and could barely hear my feet hitting the ground. Hopefully such comfort will continue.

After the run, I had some coffee and a protein shake and decided to take the bike out for a quick ride before the rain came in.

Matt Souza Conservation Area, Hatchville (Click for link to map)

Matt Souza had a long history in the Town of Falmouth. According to the paperwork in the kiosk (pictured below) he was appointed as Game Warden in 1954 and became the town's first full time conservation agent in 1961. He held that job until 1984. This wonderful 25 acre conservation area is dedicated to his memory.

A 1/2 mile long dirt road enters the property across from #154 Hatchville Road. It winds through the woods and terminates at a small parking area and dirt boat ramp into Coonamessett Pond. According to literature also in the kiosk Coonamessett Pond is considered a "Commonwealth Great Pond (more than 10 acres in surface area)". Indeed, according to The 300 Committee website, it is 158 acres and is Falmouth's largest pond.

The Coonamessett River runs from Coonamessett Pond and connects to Great Pond on Vineyard Sound and is considered the town's "most important herring run", also according to The 300 Committee site.

Information on Matt Souza.

Section of the dirt road.

The mighty Coonamessett River just a few feet from where it leaves the pond.


For as long as I can remember the area has been a local party spot for the younger crowd. Though it seems better now than in the 80s and 90s, there is still evidence of parties and small campfires. One major improvement is the litter. There is now a trash receptacle and, for today at least, I saw very little trash on my ride through the area. I have seen piles of empty beer cans, broken bottles of all sorts of other trash over the last 30 years.



Boat launch. This is a great spot to launch a kayak or canoe. I believe there is a 6 hp limit for motors on the pond, so it is normally quite peaceful.

It's been too long since I paddled on Coonamessett Pond. There is a neat little passage into Pickerel Pond to the west and across the expanse of Coonamessett to the east is another pond called Round Pond. You must paddle under a small bridge and through a water trap at the Cape Cod Country Club before getting into Round Pond which is rather fun.

It is on my short list to kayak here before November.