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DOGGIN' AMERICA
Great Outdoor Vacation Ideas For You And Your Dog
Doggin' America's CoastalIslands
Helping you find a tail-friendly trail...excerpted from DOGGIN' AMERICA: 100 IDEAS FOR GREATOUTDOOR VACATIONS TO TAKE WITH YOUR DOG
www.hikewithyourdog.com
BONUS INCLUDED:
Doggin' America's Lighthouses...
Who doesn't want to get away to an off-shore island with thedog? Let's do a round-up of America's off-shore islands you can visitwith your dog, accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat:Nantucket Island (Atlantic Ocean, Massachusetts, islandtransportation: vehicular)Upon disembarking in the Nantucket Sound you are looking at ahike of between two and six miles to reach the various ocean beachesacross the island. You can use paved bike paths if you have to but dogsare allowed on the island shuttles. Much of the coastline is in privatehands so access to the shore is a privilege when granted.Martha's Vineyard (Atlantic Ocean, Massachusetts, islandtransportation: vehicular) Just off the southern coast of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard is anextremely dog-friendly resort destination. For canine hikers, theSheriff's Meadow Foundation has conserved over 2100 acres of land onthe island in more than 100 separate parcels. From these protected
 
lands the Foundation has created eight sanctuaries open to the public,including dogwalkers. The largest trail system is at Cedar Tree NeckSanctuary where two miles of paw-friendly trails visit hilly woodlands,secluded ponds and a small, sandy beach.Block Island (Atlantic Ocean, Rhode Island, island transportation:limited vehicular) There are 17 miles of public beaches on Block Island so your dogwill get an ocean swim. Crescent Beach, a few pawprints from the ferrylanding, is the most convenient but crowded in-season. As the newarrivals fan out from the ferry the beaches offer more room for yourdog. One beach that is too small for sun worshippers but ideal for dogsis just south of Old Harbor along Spring Street - as you reach the crestof a hill drop down to the sand in front of a guardrail for great canineswimming along a breakwater in frisky waves.Block Island rests off the Rhode Island mainland, about an hourferry ride away. Most daytripping dog owners take the trip without acar and queue up with their dogs ready for some spirited walking onthe island. The ferry rate per person is less than $20 round trip anddogs ride free.Once on the island there are two famous beach bluffs withinwalking distance: to the north is Clay Head, the one you see on theferry, and to the south are the Mohegan Bluffs. To do both in one dayon foot is quite an undertaking so without transportation you will beforced to decide on a destination. This is not a win-lose proposition byany means - especially since you'll probably vow to return to BlockIsland again.If you head for Mohegan Bluffs, you will be using The Greenway, asystem of about 12 miles of footpaths crisscrossing the southern half of Block Island in the tradition of walking the English countryside. What isyour dog interested in? Open fields? Sporty hills? Long vistas? A rompon the beach? A swim in a pond? Unique woodlands? The Greenwayhas them all. Turning north there is only one road to take and setting out for acouple of miles on Corn Neck Road. You will eventually reach a trailsystem has come to be known as "The Maze." These grassy trails areunmarked but well-maintained and a delight for your dog. You can popout at a stone wall or one of the best views on the East Coast. The ClayHead Nature Trail runs for about one mile along the top of the 70-footbluffs. It is easy going but will be one of the longest miles you've ever
 
taken your dog on when you factor in the frequent stops for watchingthe crashing waves or chartng the progress of a passing vessel.Ocracoke Island (Atlantic Ocean, North Carolina, islandtransportation: vehicular)Over the years Ocracoke Island in North Carolina has repeatedlytickled various lists of America's Best Beaches. It was probably onBlackbeard's list of favorite beaches as well until the notorious pirate'scareer ended here on November 22, 1718, his body riddled with fiveBritish Royal Navy musketballs and 20 sword lacerations.Late November is an ideal time to bring your dog to uncrowdedOcracoke. The 16-mile long island, only a few hundred yards wide atsome points, is isolated at the end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.Its white sand beaches are reachable only by private plane or boat ridefrom the mainland (the ferry ride is 2 1/2 hours from the mainland) andby a free 40-minute ferry from the end of Hatteras Island. These are wilderness beaches - no boardwalks and concession toattract families and casual sun worshippers. Ocracoke Village is theonly settlement on the island, a lightly populated working fishingvillage. It all adds up to long stretches of deserted sand for your dogany time of the year. There is also a Nature Trail to hke with your dogopposite the National Park Service campground.For swimming there is frolicing in the Atlantic Ocean waves forthe experienced canine swimmer. If gentler water is your dog's desire just turn around and walk across to the Pimlico Sound. Either way, aftera visit to Ocracoke, it will surely leap onto your dog's list of favoritebeaches.Mackinac Island (Lake Huron, Michigan, island transportation: footand bicycle only)At first blush this popular tourist mecca would seem to be ahorrible place to bring a dog - teeming with crowds and literallythousands of bikes in the narrow streets. But no one is coming toMackinac Island to hike so if you get a half-mile from the dock you cango for an hour on the three-mile by two-mile island in the woodedhighlands (that's 300-foot elevations) and never see anyone. Theisland's unique location and elevation changes support an enchantingmix of North Woods conifers and southern hardwoods.Manitou Islands (Lake Michigan, Michigan, NO DOGS ALLOWED)
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