...and Farewell to the Cape

Sunday was our day to explore the Lower Cape--Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich, and Harwichport. We had originally thought we would explore the towns of the Lower Cape, an area we hadn't seen on previous visits. Instead, we started taking lots of side roads, heading out to the many beaches on Nantucket Sound. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, late in the season, and everybody and their brother was out to enjoy this gift of a day. Things were busy--parking lots fairly full and lots of folks on the beaches.





This part of the cape is in sharp contrast to what we'd seen the day before. This is the area totally focused on tourists--motor lodges, small rental cabins, mini-golf, ice cream stands, and shops selling beach toys and T-shirts. People head to the beach, armed with their folding chairs, snacks and beverages, and reading material.

Everyone on the beach was in beach chairs. Many parked their chairs just feet from the parking lot. Some didn't even face the view. It was clear that people set up shop for the day. Such a different beach pattern from what we see in the Northwest. Late in the day, it was as if someone hit a switch. Suddenly there were lines of people heading back to the parking lots, each carrying their chairs and tote bags. It was a reverse lemming flow.





There are many, many beaches from which to choose. It is clear that the height of the season must be really something. The parking lots were huge. In some places, there were big parking areas inland, with signs about shuttle buses to the beach. Can only imagine the scene. It looked pretty busy to us, as it was, but locals kept calling it sleepy or slow. Yikes!

We ended the day at Chatham Light. Pretty light, with the sun behind us. Confusing to us West Coasters to be looking out at the ocean and have the sun setting behind us.








Today, Monday, was our day to head to the Outer Cape (ie, Provincetown, Wellfleet, and Truro). Once again, we took to the shore drives and headed out to beaches and lighthouses. We had some periods of rain, but it cleared up nicely in late afternoon.

This is the location of the Cape Cod National Seashore, which includes a huge amount of land on the Outer Cape. There are lots of beaches, bike trails, museums, etc. Less touristy, yet set up to handle lots of folks.

















We stopped in at Provincetown--or P-town as it's known here. Hurdy- gurdy and absolutely crawling with people. But we also discovered many quaint streets of charming old houses--something we hadn't seen on a previous visit.





We moved on to charming, quieter Wellfleet.




We finished our day back in Chatham. A final view of Mill Pond. A final cape sunset.














We need to return to the Cape before too long. We barely touched the surface of this captivating place.

Tomorrow, we turn in the car and hook up with our Road Scholar tour. The following day, we embark on our cruise to the Maritime Provinces. On to the next leg of our trip!

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