The Cape Elizabeth Land Trust publishes a neat town and trail map with over 10 hiking trails clearly marked, including descriptions of what you may encounter on the trail and an indication of where to park.

Great Pond stands out as an enticing destination, so I was pleased to see that the Walking Club, sponsored by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (or, as I continue to think of it, Senior College), was planning a walk there in mid-August. Club participants can either meet at Back Bay parking lot to carpool or go directly to the start of the walk.

We elected to do the latter, and drove to the end of Fenway Road, which dead ends at the start of the trail. A group of seven hardy hikers gathered, water bottles, walking sticks and pedometers at the ready. The trail is broad and sandy at the start, and we soon arrived at the launching site for kayaks and canoes, with a lovely view across the pond. However, before long, we encountered difficulties, and after looking at the map again, we realized the trail did not go all the way over to Bowery Beach Road, but instead stopped at a marshy area where Alewife Brook has its source. Our leaders had taken the trail before, and assured us that we really could continue, so on we went.

Indeed, there was a trail, but it consisted in many spots of narrow planks laid across wet area, a broken bridge across the brook and a steep ascent up a cliff, where railings would certainly have been useful. Our persistence was rewarded when we reached a lovely spot marked by a huge boulder with a flat top – a perfect spot to sit and look out over the pond. After a good rest, we tried to find our way out to the road, finally walking carefully down someone’s driveway. Across the street was a welcome sight – the Kettle Cove takeout stand. As it was a warm day and we had walked close to two miles, we indulged in that perfect summer treat – ice cream. Of course, we had to retrace our steps in order to reach our cars, but after crossing Route 77 we discovered a new entrance to the trail, a cedar-chip path that avoids trespassing on private property. Finally, we all decided it had been a dandy adventure, discovering the mysteries and beauties of Cape Elizabeth’s Great Pond. If you would like more information about the Walking Club, you may call Pat LeFebvre at 883-2936.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members also enjoyed the annual potluck picnic that was held on Great Diamond Island at the end of August. Almost 40 seniors took the Casco Bay ferry out to the summer cottage of Edith Yonan, where we partook of a bountiful buffet of salads, deviled eggs and homemade breads, followed by an incredible display of cookies and bars. Members of the Walking Club took a quick hike over to Little Diamond Island – they had to hustle because the tide was coming in – while other seniors walked the island paths. Some of us, however, just sat on the spacious porch enjoying good conversation, the rocking chairs and the hammock.

Edith has done a marvelous job in preserving the interior of her cottage. There is a wonderful inglenook in the living room, with fireplace and bench just waiting for someone to curl up with a good book. Upstairs are four simple bedrooms, each painted in a different color and each looking like an Andrew Wyeth painting. Our trip over to the island was on the “Maqoit,” but the return trip to Portland was on the new addition to the Casco Bay fleet, the “Aucocisco III,” whose design was inspired by the earlier steamers. We had seats in the bow, and therefore a great view of Little Diamond, Fort Gorges, Fort Preble and Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, an enormous yacht at DeMillo’s and the beautiful schooner “Bagheera” returning to port with her load of tourists.

Have you noticed the garden around the flagpole on the Black Point Road just south of the Oak Hill intersection? It is in bloom from late spring to early fall with pink, white and coral phlox, day lilies of every color imaginable, spirea, coreopsis, rose campion, Shasta daisies, roses and bee balm. The Scarborough Garden Club is responsible for this display, and members of the club meet frequently to plant, weed and water.

If you do stop to view the garden, walk over to the old red house and read the sign stating that this is the Hunnewell House, built in 1684. There is some debate as to this unusually early date, as most historians agree that Scarborough was abandoned in 1690, the settlers driven out by the Indians, and church, fort and homes destroyed. In fact, no one lived in Scarborough until 1702, when seven families returned to rebuild. Next to the house is a small, old-fashioned herb garden, designed and laid out some years ago by garden club member Carol Belowski, with the help of her husband, Carl. Divided into four plots, with gravel paths between, the garden contains anise, lovage, sorrel, oregano, tarragon, chives, rue, thyme, sweet cicely, basil and rosemary. About 10 members of the club attended the last workday, including Doreen Whitney, Dottie Picher, Lerline Santos, Marion Nielsen and Joan Hardy.

Old houses were also the subject of one of the August Brown Bag Lectures at the Portland Public Library. Actually, the speaker was Sarah Graves, author of the popular “Home Repair is Homicide Mysteries.” Her heroine is Jacobia Tiptree, former Wall Street power broker and now homeowner in Eastport, Maine. Jacobia lives in an 1823 Federal home, which is falling apart and, when she is not solving murders, she is painting 48 green shutters, or cleaning three chimneys, replacing doorknobs and repairing plumbing. Coincidentally, Sarah herself lives in an 1823 Federal in Eastport, but her job is to write books, while her husband, who makes guitars and gives music lessons, is responsible for keeping the house in good shape. Sarah’s latest book is “Nail Biter,” and she is hard at work on No. 9, entitled “Trap Door.” If you like mysteries with a good plot, a plucky, smart heroine and local color galore, these books are for you.