Jonathan Burke
On My Way: Waking up on the water
My kayak sped over the water on a downwind sail. The water shushed the hull and my paddles splashed. I was just waking. The...
On My Way: Cross-Island hike
The birds sang from their hidden perches somewhere in the trees.
The songs rang out on the gorgeous day of abundant sun and blue sky,...
On My Way: Crossing through curiosity
We sat in our kayaks and looked across the pond. A storybook of large dunes, some streaked with swaths of white and others draped...
On My Way: Voyage to the pond
In May 1869, John Wesley Powell and nine men pushed off from the banks of the Green River in four specially designed and constructed...
On My Way: Walking with Becham on South Beach
Becham dug excitedly, and when he had a hole large enough, he stuffed his nose in, not minding the sand all over his face...
On My Way: A walk in the clouds
We were above the treeline traversing the summit in the clouds for a moment.
This is not entirely true. Trees were all around us, and...
On My Way: Mapping a new trail
A few weeks ago, I had the rare opportunity of following a bouncing ball.
Have you ever wondered how a trail makes its way onto...
On My Way: Community spirit
The annual 5K for KJ is a Thanksgiving tradition in my family.
Our first participation in the event was in ’16 or ’17, when my...
On My Way: Hiking Cedar Tree Neck
Are you looking for a mellow hike of a few hours in a terrain as varied as the Island? If so, the 400 acres...
On My Way: Reflecting on the Red Trail
The Red Trail is not the hilliest trail. In fact, it is flat. Nor is the Red Trail a long trail. The trail of...
On My Way: Riding the gravel trail
The gravel ride from the meadow of Quansoo Farm to the meadow of Nat’s Farm, with all sorts of surprises in between, was fun...
On My Way: Kayaking the Chop and beyond
I have long been enamored of the small, circular Oak Bluffs Harbor that summer folks flock to in droves. The numerous million-dollar yachts tied...
On My Way: Life is good
I took a long sip of the large Cumbie’s iced coffee flavored with a shot of amaretto — the indulgence a reward for a...
On My Way: Cross-Island hike
An electrical current coursed through the cool air.
I leaned against a tree and stretched my legs. Folks congregated outside the Trustees building. We had...
On My Way: Poking around the pilings
I paddled out from the shore. A seagull swooped down in front me. I heard the wash in the water. I had made the...
On My Way: The climb
The Battell trail was a climb from the start. Right away I was working. I was planting my poles and making steps. My blood...
On My Way: Looking for the cut
The sound of the surf, the chill in the air, the blue sky and the yellow sun, the tan beach and the Atlantic Ocean...
On My Way: The Ocean View
South Road. Middle Road. North Road. Fulling Mill Brook. Peaked Hill. And just for the heck of the double hat trick: Ocean View Farm.
The...
On My Way: A frolic in the pond
A sunny sky with temperatures in the low thirties and 0 to 5 knots of wind. These were the conditions I was looking for...
On My Way: The surprises of Chappy
Chappaquiddick Road was paved in yellow bricks. The road was level and straight, with low brush on either side. Becham, my trusty terrier-mix companion,...