Caitlin Townsend of Truro, a senior in the Marine Science, Safety, and Environmental Protection Program at Mass Maritime Academy, has been walking the back shore as part of her research for an environmental writing class. Her observations focus on changes along the shore since Thoreau made this walk 172 years ago — thus her Instagram handle @caitlindavidthoreau. Her long-range goal is to raise awareness about climate change. “I think that can start with small things, including protecting this place where we live,” she said. Photographed here at Ballston Beach, after a day of walking with her dog, Moby, she said she has been in other good company, too: her grandfather, John Adams, walked with her from Truro’s Coast Guard Beach to Head of the Meadow. Townsend started her series of walks at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham and plans to finish on Thursday, walking from High Head to Race Point. (Photo Nancy Bloom)
