In need of an adventure (which included some fresh air, sunshine, nature, and ocean all at a new-to-me place), I brought myself to the Wells Reserve on a Friday morning this past summer. What a wonderful escape on a hot day (and I imagine it's pretty spectacular during autumn as well - depends on what you want, right? I wanted a secluded beach [which there is at the end of one of the nature trails], but the foliage here I suspect is also breathtaking)!
It was easy to find, there was an abundance of parking first thing in the morning, and plenty to do that kept me busy for a half the day. I poked around about every corner I could:
1. The Trail System: starting on Barrier Beach Trail, I went all the way to Laudholm Beach to swim, sun, and talk to the piping plovers for a spell. Then took Laird-Norton Trail (which winds it's way through the forest - so many shades of green! - on the most well-groomed wooden plank path... sometimes I wonder where my admission fee goes when visiting a park, but not here - everything is just so well taken care of for the enjoyment of the public, and the pride in it shows and is appreciated) and stopped at the two salt marsh overlooks. Continued on Farley Trail to the Farley Connector, back down Laird-Norton to the Cart Path. Took Knight Trail (and stopped for some much needed water at the picture post overlooking the mountains) back down to Barrier Beach Trail to Pilger Trail to the Laudholm Connector.
2. Spent some time alone in the Maine Coastal Ecology Center (I think they refer to it as their "living laboratory"). No one was there to ask questions to when I visited, but I still had fun puttering around and playing with some of the demonstrations (microscopes to look through, mock digging for clams, looking at preserved fish), that I'm guessing are usually overrun by kiddos. It was really, really neat (the giant talking lady clam is not to be missed!).
3. Looked around the Visitor's Center; not necessarily something you HAVE to do when you're here, but there was some good educational stuff about the history of the area.
Definitely a place I'll return to. Definitely a place I'm not done exploring. Definitely a place I want more locals to support. Get out of your urban ecosystem and visit a real one! read more