Mashpee, MA Outdoor Activities

Along an Australian riverbank, a baby calf is being born, opening its eyes to the world for the first time. Carolyn “Chick” Dowd floats just 6 feet away and watches silently as the events unfold. At this moment, she discovers for the first time the powerful experiences kayaking can opportune, and plunges headfirst into the sport. Since this moment, Ms. Dowd has worked as an instructor in Thailand, Nova Scotia, and California, where she is also a member of San Francisco's national kayak polo team.

It wasn't just a love for kayaking that led Ms. Dowd to overcome a human's natural tendency to melt in water. When younger, she dreamed of being Julie, the cruise director from Love Boat. To that end, Island Spirit Kayak is the junction of Ms. Dowd's passions; a place that mixes fun activities with the natural surroundings of her hometown, Martha's Vineyard. Here, Ms. Dowd and her team of ACA-certified instructors can lead tours into tranquil waters or more advanced excursions toward the Aquinnah Cliffs, where sunrises paint warm colors across the exposed clay.

From beginners to experts, Ms. Dowd and her crew cater tours to everyone. Before each trip, they help people belly flop out of their comfort zones with a game of kayak ultimate frisbee, during which many feel compelled to jump out of the boat. The staff—which includes a school teacher—also has a soft spot in their hearts for children, welcoming little ones as young as 5 into kayaks.

Stretching across immaculate greenery and pristine waters that run alongside Cape Cod’s Melody Tent, Twin Brooks Golf Course’s 18-hole, par 3 layout is a treat for players of all abilities. Only one hole exceeds 200 yards in length on the par 54 course, though the design still manages to fit in plenty of obstacles, including five ponds and 36 strategically placed sand traps, each one filled to the lip with soft Cape sand and disoriented sunbathers. Players who have stepped into the tee box recently may have noticed a difference: the teeing grounds have all been leveled, reshaped, and covered with new turf. The improvement is just one of many the course has undertaken in the last several months. Others include repairing the cart paths, upgrading the landscaping with railroad ties and new plantings, and reshaping the tree line along the fairways to make the course feel more open and remove potential obstructions. Players can expect a round to take between two and three hours, and Twin Brooks offers both pull carts and gas-powered carts for an additional fee.

The line to the men's room at Nimrod Restaurant is peculiar because it usually contains both men and women. Near the restroom's doorway, gatherers careen and crane their necks to see a 200-year-old hole and the projectile that created it: a cannonball from the War of 1812. This hands-on history lesson is one of many elucidated by the guides at Phat Tire Bike Tours. They backdrop their classroom against the scenic sights of crashing waves, lush gardens, and bustling downtown shops. Seated on personal bikes or rental bikes that correctly answer the question, "What's my favorite color?", groups can set out on tours of places such as Falmouth, Plymouth, Martha's Vineyard, or Nantucket.