I LOVE Cape Cod

Have you ever been to Cape Cod? Do you know where it is? Cape Cod is part of the state of Massachusetts and looks like an arm extending out into the Atlantic Ocean. Think of it as an arm making a muscle. The upper "arm" is the upper Cape, the lower "arm" the lower Cape and then at the very end is the fist. This is where Provincetown is located and is actually where the pilgrims landed when they sailed over on the Mayflower. They lived there for about a year and decided that it was too inhospitable out there and moved to Plymouth. Poor P-Town is the Rodney Dangerfield of history, it gets no respect.

I've been to Cape Cod at least 20 times and love it every time. There is something so extremely relaxing about the ocean. I could sit on the beach all day unless it's very hot. I was there the past week and it was wonderful. We rented a house in Easthan with my sister, her husband, my niece, nephew and my parents. The first few days were hot and humid but sunny and the rest of the week was perfect, no humidity, a nice breeze and the sun, everyday we had sun.



This is our lighthouse. We call it that because for many years we camped in North Truro about a half mile from the lighthouse. We could see the light at night in the tree tops. Really it's the Highland Light, sometimes called the Cape Cod light and the oldest lighthouse on Cape Cod.

In 1995 it was moved back from it's previous location due to dune erosion. This view facing the ocean.

And here it is when you walk up to it. I love the glow from the setting sun.



We went to the beach 5 of the 7 days. This year we spent out beach time at Nauset Light Beach in Eastham, part of the National Seashore. In 1961 President Kennedy passed a bill making 43,000 acres of Cape Cod beaches a park to "preserve the natural and historic values of Cape Cod for the inspiration and enjoyment of the people all over the United States". What a smart thing to do. So much of the coast line in the country have private residences and hotels built upon them shutting out the common folk.

We always go to the ocean beaches of the Cape. There are sand dunes and the water is a little rougher, hence bigger waves. The bay side has no dunes, is calmer, warmer and you can find shells. If you find shells on the ocean side they're usually broken from the waves. You'd think I'd like the bay side better but it doesn't feel like the ocean.

Some people go to the beach to girl watch, some to check out the hunky guys, me I go to watch the little ones. They have so much fun chasing the waves, digging holes and trying to build sandcastles. It reminds me of when my own boys were little on the beach. They never wanted to leave although the first time my oldest went (at 10 months old) he wouldn't go off the beach towel, didn't like the sand on his little hands and feet.

Seafoam

Long Point Lighthouse is located at the very end of Cape Cod.

You can see the tip of it curling around.

This is Nauset Light Beach from the top of the sand dune.

You must stay off of the dunes because of erosion plus they're unstable.

The best time of day to go to the beach as far as I'm concerned is early morning. Each day we arrived between 7:30-8:00. We had breakfast on the beach and you had the whole place to yourself plus it's a little cooler. After 4 or 5 hours we were ready to go when it starts to get crowded.

I was surprised that this beach allowed dogs. Others I've been to do not. I don't mind the dogs but this couple let their dog take take care of business right at the water's edge (the tide was going out) and kept on walking, didn't clean it up. My mother took a beach shovel, put the poo in a bag and my son walked it down to them. He said, "you forgot something on the beach back there" and handed it over. They said they forgot a bag. I don't believe that for a second. If you walk your dog a lot and even bring him to the beach it should be automatic to bring a bag or two.