Shopping in Cape Cod – Shop Treasures

When Rich and I lived in North Conway, one of the major outlet shopping Meccas in New England, it was not unusual for guests at our inn to plan a whole weekend around shopping. This was especially true in the weeks just prior to Christmas, when hoards of folks would take advantage of tax-free shopping at literally hundreds of outlets that lined the narrow strip of Route 16 in the White Mountains. We also noticed an influx of Canadian visitors at all times of the year, coming across the border to load up on what they perceived as bargains compared to the economic situation they found at home. It was not unusual for our guests from Canada to arrive with multiple suitcases, mostly empty in anticipation of filling them with all sorts of great deals for the return trip home. Upon their departure, we would find dozens of discarded shopping bags, boxes, and price tags strewn across the room from a buying frenzy of which any shop-a-holic would be proud. A strain on our recycling efforts, to be sure, but a necessary by-product of shopping.

Once we moved south to Cape Cod, we expected our “shopping” market to drop significantly. Though there are a few outlets in the immediate area and a more comprehensive outlet mall within an hour’s drive, we did not expect that the prime motivator for a trip to Cape Cod would be shopping. What we failed to consider was the overseas market, mostly from Great Britain, Germany, and other European countries, who are currently taking advantage of the weak U.S. dollar and find that not only is travel to the U.S. a considerable bargain, but consumer goods are nearly half-price compared to prices at home.

So when our foreign visitors asked us where to shop on Cape Cod, we were at first  a little stymied. Our first inclination was to direct them to something comparable to the outlet shopping malls that were so prevalent in North Conway. But the nearest venue was an hour’s drive, which would take them off Cape, something that no Cape Cod business owner wants to encourage. Then we took a closer look at the myriad shopping opportunities we have right here on Cape Cod, from traditional shopping malls to quaint shopping villages and small town Main Streets. So now when we get the inevitable question “Where can we go to shop?” we direct our guests to any of the following  settings, depending of course on what they are looking for. And, oh by the way, now when we still shopping bags and tags left behind in our guest rooms, we take heart in knowing that at least we are supporting the local economy.

Cape Cod Mall
Route 28 & 132, Hyannis; 508-771-0200
Enclosed, single-level shopping mall. Anchored by Macy’s and Sears; 100+ additional stores including Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, Talbot’s, Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie and Fitch. 400-seat Food Court, 2 full-service restaurants, 12-screen cinema megaplex. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30 am – 9:30 pm.; Sun., 11 am-6 pm.

Mashpee Commons
Mashpee Rotary, Route 28 & 151, Mashpee; 508-477-5400
Laid out like a traditional New England village. Over 90 stores, including upscale merchants such as Ann Taylor, Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, and William Sonoma; plus Chico’s, Claire Murray, and Gap. An assortment of smaller stores featuring fine arts and crafts, antiques, toys, and jewelry. Several cafes and fine dining opportunities, 6-screen cinema.

Lemon Tree Village
Main St., Brewster (Rte. 6A, about 1 mile west of town center)
A small shopping complex on two levels, with unique shops featuring garden statuary, gourmet cooking utensils, locally made arts and crafts, pottery, birding supplies, clothing, gifts, jewelry and toys. Small café adjacent. Hours: 10 am-5 pm. daily, year-round.

Main Streets

One of the beauties of Cape Cod is that it is comprised of 15 uniquely individual small towns, each with its own main street of commerce, some more populated than others, but with their own charm and appeal. Walking down the main streets of Cape Cod is a delightful pastime. Naturally the larger the town, the more walkable its main street. But we could spend hours meandering the shops in Falmouth, Hyannis, Chatham, and Provincetown, and often do.

Main Street, Falmouth
One-of-a-kind gifts, home decor, men’s and women’s apparel, housewares, books, art and antiques, plus plenty of bistros and cafes for lunch or dinner.

Main Street, Hyannis
In addition to the usual fare, you’ll find vintage and designer clothing, beachwear, leather goods, gourmet cookware, candles, homemade fudge and saltwater taffy, sporting goods, an Army/Navy surplus store, fine art, and the requisite tourist souvenir shops. Interspersed along the way are several good restaurants, ice cream shops, mini-golf, and a  carousel.

Main Street, Chatham

The shops of Chatham are perhaps a bit more chic, in keeping with its old world and old money tradition. Here you’ll find a preponderance of casual resort wear, children’s clothing, vintage clothing, contemporary art, fine arts and crafts, handmade gold jewelry, antiques and accessories, lightship baskets, fine linens, gourmet cookware, home furnishings, alongside tee shirt shops, a candy store, a jam and jelly shop, and a shop featuring 1960′s memorabilia. And when it’s time to rest your weary feet there are plenty of casual restaurants, plus a fine-dining opportunity or two.

Commercial Street, Provincetown
Commercial Street in Provincetown is a one-way street lined with everything from fine art galleries, funky eclectic shops (some featuring items that may make you blush), tee shirt shops, import stores, great bistros and bars with outside dining, a kite shop, soaps and toiletries, hand-crafted jewelry, hip men’s and women’s ware, a pet lover’s store, and just about anything else you can imagine or need. One of our favorite things to do is just to sit and watch the constant parade of humanity. When our guests are looking for something out of the ordinary or want to take a walk on the wildside, we always recommend P’Town.

Most shops are open from mid-April through mid-October. In summer, some shops may remain open until 11 pm. Shops that stay open year-round are often open only on weekends during the quiet months of January through March.

It’s A Bird…It’s A Plane…No, Wait, It IS A Bird: Cape Cod, A Birder’s Paradise

I grew up in New England, and one of my parents’ favorite pastimes was watching the birds at various feeders and bird baths they had placed around the yard. They weren’t birders, mind you, they just enjoyed watching the antics of birds bathing and munching on seed. It seemed pointless to me at the time, if not downright boring, but I’ve come around.

Rich is a bird lover of sorts. Not all birds, mind you. Oh, he marvels at the size and color of our summer hummingbirds and the sheer beauty of the male cardinal with his crimson breast. He gets a kick out of the chic-a-dees who seem indifferent to his presence on the deck as he fills the feeders. But some birds he categorizes as just plain “nuisance birds”, more trouble than they are worth. The grackle, crow, and blue jay would fall into this category for him.

He can spot a red-tailed hawk from a distance and an osprey by its wings. He puts out oranges for the Baltimore orioles in spring in hopes that they will linger longer. On his recommendation, we put binoculars and

bird books in all our guest rooms, primarily for our foreign visitors who seem equally impressed by a sparrow as a downy woodpecker. He is, in a word, an admirer and protector of our winged friends. But he is not a birder.

He does not go off on long hikes armed with spotting scopes and bird logs, nor does he stand motionless as if a bird dog “en pointe” when he spots a great blue heron. It’s a simple pleasure for him, I suppose, to watch unnoticed from the kitchen window as he prepares the morning repast for our guests. First the tit mice, then the sparrows. Next, the chickadees and cardinals. The downy woodpecker comes and goes as he pleases. He is protective of their seed, admonishing the gluttons with a quick “ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhttt” to get them moving, and letting the squirrels (those interlopers) know who’s boss.

It was Rich who introduced me to my favorite harbinger of spring. As the gray of winter gives way to longer days and milder temperatures, the gold finches shed their winter khaki green for their summer garb of yellow. Long about April, when you yearn for summer breezes but cannot yet feel them, a gold finch appears at the feeder with one bright yellow feather, (canary yellow, you might say) amidst the green. And in that moment you know, just as you know that the leaves will fall in autumn, that spring has arrived on Cape Cod.

According to some experts, Cape Cod, it seems, is one of the best spots along the Northeastern seaboard to view birds, especially during the migration seasons, when more than 260 different species of birds may make a stop on Cape Cod. They feed on local delicacies, such as marine worms, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks before continuing their journey. Having started in the Arctic Circle, the trip might end in South America, 12,000 miles away. Cape Cod lies about half way along this busy flyway, and places like Monomoy Island and Nauset Marsh are regular stopovers for these birds.

Spring is the best time to view migrating birds, and August is best for observing shorebirds. Winter birds are plentiful, too. Herons, egrets, and sandpipers, all birds associated with wetland habitats, are abundant in winter.

Some of the best spots for observing birds are in wooded areas, such as the Crane Reservation in Mashpee, or the Beech Forest in Provincetown. The Wellfleet Bay/Audubon Sanctuary and the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster offer short hikes that take you through upland areas and marshlands to Cape Cod Bay.

Sandy Neck Recreational Area in Barnstable and Monomoy Wildlife Refuge in Chatham offer a beach and wetlands habitat.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, birds are omnipresent on Cape Cod. They share this fragile ecosystem with us, and add a layer of enjoyment to those of us who appreciate them. Come visit Cape Cod and catch a glimpse of any number of the birds that frequent our shores, including:

• pine warblers
• rufus-sided towees
• common yellowthroats
• Carolina wrens
• gray catbirds
• northern orioles
• black-capped chickadees
• tree swallows
• ospreys
• red-tailed hawks
• red-winged blackbirds
• willets
• sparrows
• common terns
• common grackles
• least terns
• kingfishers
• oystercatchers
• great blue herons
• laughing gulls

Whale Watching: A High Pointe Inn Adventure

When Rich and I first moved to Cape Cod, we were intrigued by the many whale-watching excursions offered throughout the spring, summer, and early fall. Rich, ever the skeptic, thought that whale watching fell into the category of “submarine races” and other questionable activities designed to take advantage of the ill-informed or naive tourist. That, of course, was until we took our first whale-watching excursion from Barnstable Harbor via the Hyannis Whale Watcher. Departing around 3:00 PM on a perfect summer afternoon on the M/V Whale Watcher, a new state-of-the-art jet-powered boat that can literally turn on a dime, we sped north across Cape Cod Bay toward Stellwagen Bank, which lies roughly 6 miles northeast of Provincetown.

My reserach revealed that Stellwagen Bank is an 842-square-mile section of shallows in the open ocean lying in the Gulf of Maine just off the mouth of Cape Cod Bay. A prime fishing area, Stellwagen’s unique conditions and topography enable it to support a tremendous diversity of marine life, from single-cell organisms to great whales. A protected National Marine Sanctuary since 1992–the first area in the Northeast to receive that designation–Stellwagen Bank attracts the whales that migrate here because of its abundant food supplies. Many types of whales are found here, including finback (the largest), humpback (the most playful), right (the most endangered), sei, minke, killer (also known as Orca), and pilot whales (also known as black fish). Each species has its own distinct habits, but, generally, the whales begin arriving in this area in early spring and leave for warmer waters in early winter.

We cruised past the quaint cottage colony and lighthouse at Sandy Neck, a beautiful barrier beach just two miles from the Inn, sitting on the top deck of the boat to soak up the afternoon sun on our way to see whales. In less than an hour, across very calm seas, we reached our destination.

State and federal agencies have strict guidelines for whale-watch boats. On Cape Cod, boats are prohibited from coming within more than 300 yards of most whales and 500 yards of the endangered right whale. Arriving at our destination, our boat approached the feeding ground and cut the engine. The onboard naturalist came over the P.A. system as the boat jockeyed for position, cautioning us to watch for “foot prints” on the water, the distinctive pattern left on the surface of the ocean after whales breach and dive below. “Thar she blows” echoed through my mind as I scanned the surface of the water, looking either for a foot print or a spout from the blowhole of an active whale in the area. I didn’t have to wait long.

Within minutes we spotted our first whale, a minke. As the naturalist directed us to this first sighting, eager cries from the opposite side of the boat lured us toward the stern. Soon we were surrounded by humpbacks, fin backs, and the omnipresent minkes. We, and our fellow travelers, found ourselves scurrying back and forth across the deck to catch a glimpse of each whale as it appeared on the scene, and scouring the horizon for a possible breach. Our naturalist was nearly giddy with excitement each time she made a new spotting. With each new sighting, the naturalist was careful to enlighten us with fascinating insight on whale behavior, plus commentary on the local ecology and history of  Stellwagen. Some naturalists, who have worked around whales for a long time, can identify individual whales by distinctive markings on the flukes of the whale’s tail, underside, body, or head, and often know specific details of their lives, from their offspring to their travel patterns.

Rich was absolutely in his glory trying to juggle between binoculars and his digital camera, though I thought the best approach was simply to wait for the “oohs and aahs” of my traveling companions and focus where their fingers pointed me. Several times during our trip, the captain maneuvered the boat so that all aboard could have a front row seat. In the end, we counted dozens of sightings, some a good distance away, but many so close to the boat we could almost reach out and touch them. The most exciting moment during a whale watch, of course, is when (or if) one of the whales shoots straight up out of the water and splashes down again into the sea in a maneuver known as breaching.

According to one local guidebook, humpback whales are the most popular species to watch because they are inquisitive enough to come close to the boats and have an engaging tendency to perform. Humpbacks feed for about six or seven months in the waters of Stellwagen Bank, which is rich with plankton, squid, herring, sand lance, and other sea life, and then leave the area, fasting until they return the following year from their wintering ground in the West Indies, where they breed and give birth. Different species of whales feed on different types of sea life. Right whales, for instance, feed mostly on plankton.

All too soon it seemed, but actually after more than an hour at the feeding grounds, our captain announced that we must leave. On the return trip, we spotted dolphin, and several basking sharks sunning themselves in the shallow depths near Sandy Neck. And, as an added bonus, we were treated to one of Cape Cods spectacular sunsets over Sandy Neck (more about that in another blogicle).

Needless to say, Rich is now a total convert, enthusiastically encouraging all our guests to take a whale watch adventure. No one has ever been disappointed, and several have told stories of mothers and calves breaching together, humpbacks seeming to wave their tail fins, and once, of the captain having to turn off the engines while a humpback scratched its back back-and-forth on the bottom of the boat.

Whale-watching boats run from mid-April through the end of October and usually last between three and four hours. Guests may depart from Barnstable Harbor, a short 15-minute drive from the High Pointe Inn, or Provincetown, which is about an hour’s drive. All whale-watching excursions guarantee sightings during the season, so on the off chance that no whales are spotted, you’ll be given a rain check to use at another time.

We offer our guests a small discount on trips departing from Barnstable Harbor aboard the Hyannis Whale Watcher, and can make reservations in advance to ensure seating.

Dining on Cape Cod

An INNsider’s Perspective

Eat to live or live to eat? Ahh, the perennial question. Rich and I consider ourselves “professional eaters” and feel we have a personal obligation to our guests to try as many restaurants as we can so that we can make appropriate recommendations according to our guests’ preferences. This, by the way, can a full time job in itself, as there are so many restaurants on the Cape-from fine dining establishments; to tap rooms, pubs, and taverns; plus the requisite road side clam shacks and burger joints! We have compiled a brief summary of some of our personal favorites, along with input from our guests, so that you can choose the perfect setting for your Cape Cod dining adventures. We have grouped these according to style (casual to formal) and made note of those for which we can make reservations for you. Please note that some restaurants are seasonal. By the way, we will continue to add to this repertoire as time and waistlines allow. [Read more]

The Green Flash, and Other Sunset Stories from Cape Cod

Rich and I have traveled the world, by road and rail, air and sea, bike and kayak, snowshoes and, well, you get the picture. And everywhere we go we stop to admire the sunset and often, photograph it. My dad first got me started with the ritual of watching the sun dip beneath the horizon. He and my Mom retired to the west coast of Florida when I graduated from college. They settled in the little seaside hamlet of Venice, FL, best known as the winter residence of the Ringling Brothers Circus, in a 3 bedroom condo that faced the Gulf of Mexico. My dad, an amateur photographer, like to sit on the deck at sunset, tripod and camera in hand, and snap photo after photo of the setting sun. Truth be told, the sunsets in Venice are spectacular. Very few places on the  east coast of the continental U.S. have a view of the sun setting over water, save for the west coast of Florida, some offshore islands, and parts of Cape Cod.

When I was working on cruise ships, in a previous pre-innkeeping world, sailors would tell me stories of seeing the “green flash”, a phosphorescent burst of greenish hue that supposedly occurred just as the final remnants of the sun disappeared into the water.

In all my days at seas, above and below the equator, I paused at day’s end to watch intently as the sun set.

Try as I might, in my five years at sea, I never saw the “green flash”. Part of me thought it was an old wives tale, or in my case, old sailors. But part of me, the romantic “I believe in Santa Clause and the good fairy” part, really, really wanted to see it. Then on a trip with my husband, years after my swashbuckling seafarer days, we were on a cruise that took us south to Guatemala. Leaving port at day’s end, we were on deck, just beneath the bridge waving goodbye to the locals who had gathered to see us off. As we steamed toward the horizon, for some strange reason, I recounted the tale of the “green flash” and my disappointment in never having seen it myself to Rich. Caught up in the moment of wistful recollections, but with some circumspection, he indulged my romantic notion and stopped to watch the sun sink slowly in the sky. Perhaps it was the warm trade winds, or the gentle swell of the ocean beneath us, or even the effervescence of the bubbly in our glasses, but at the very moment the sun slipped softly below the horizon…there it was. Ever so brief, but none the less brilliant, a flash of emerald green.

And though we’ve never seen it since, every time we watch the sun set, no matter where we are in the world, we hold our breath and hope that it appears.

We invite you to witness this phenomenon the next time you visit Cape Cod. Even if you don’t see it, it sure is fun trying. Here are some of our favorite spots to catch the sunset on this magnificent peninsular we call home:

Gray’s Beach, Yarmouthport

A long boardwalk across the marsh leads to a viewing platform. Along the way, you might spot a crab or two in the tide pools.

Chapin Memorial Beach, Dennis

Right across the town line from Gray’s Beach. Bring a blanket or a beach chair for comfort.

Wychmere Harbor, Harwichport

Wychmere is considered by some to be one of the prettiest harbors on the Cape. Pull into the little observation area off Rt. 28, but remember that parking is limited to 15 minutes.

Skaket Beach, Orleans

Set right in the crook of the Cape’s elbow, Skaket offers you that rare East Coast treat of seeing the sun set on water.

Great Island, Wellfleet

This secluded section of the National Seashore overlooks Cape Cod Bay to its west and Wellfleet Harbor to the east.

Cape Cod Light, Truro

The view from this vantage point includes dunes, ocean, bay, Pilgrim Monument, and Cape Cod Light to frame your sunset.

Race Point, Provincetown

Race Point sits on the very tip of the Cape, surrounding by water on three sides.

From Sea or Sky

Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard also have beautiful sunsets, but our favorite treat is to catch the sunset from the back of the ferry on our return trip from one of the islands. Even better is to catch it in flight aboard a Cape bound plane.

Ambling Down Historic Route 6A: The Old King’s Highway

One of my all-time favorite things to do on Cape Cod, no matter what the weather or season, is to amble along Route 6A, the Old King’s Highway in my sporty little red Mazda Miata, a 50th birthday present from my husband, Rich. Recognized as one of the ten most scenic byways in America, the road winds 34 miles though the villages of Bourne, Sandwich, West Barnstable, Barnstable, Yarmouthport, Dennis, Brewster, and Orleans,

roughly paralleling the coastline of Cape Cod Bay. Route 6A is the heart of Cape Cod and the heart of the Old King’s Highway Regional Historic District, America’s largest designated historic district, which is bounded to the south by the Mid-Cape Highway (Route 6), and to the north by Cape Cod Bay.

Driving along this scenic byway you’ll be transported through centuries of Cape Cod history, passing scenic harbors, great salt marshes, unique galleries, and the distinctive architecture of treasured old sea captain’s homes. But my particular guilty pleasure in driving 6A is that it is lined by hundreds of quaint shops filled with the most unique and unusual items.

Of course, there are the ubiquitous antique stores, dozens of shops featuring handcrafted items, including lanterns, ironworks, baskets, weather instruments, fine jewelry, pottery, fine art, cuckoo clocks, birdbaths, and home and garden items. Tucked amid these are whimsical little places to purchase Christmas collectibles, Cape Cod Angels, antique maps and nautical items, along with an herbal apothecary and a hand weaving shop. And here-and-there along the way are quirky general stores, an even quirkier bookshop, and numerous spots to quench your thirst or sate your appetite.

If you’re not a shopper, 6A can still delight. Strong preservation efforts have resulted in the protection of open lands and historic structures along the corridor. Conservation lands in many towns along the way offer nature trails and several villages have developed walking tours. Some of my favorite museums also line the corridor of 6A, including the Natural History Museum, the Cape Cod Art Museum, the Edward Gorey Museum, the Sandwich Glass Museum, and Heritage Museum and Gardens, with its historic round barn and car museu and my grandchildren’s favorite, a restored, and fully functioning carousel.

Other Sights Along 6A:

Bourne
Aptuxcet Trading Post
Cape Cod Canal Bicycle Trail
Briggs-McDermott House

Barnstable
Olde Colonial Courthouse
Barnstable Comedy Club
Trayser Memorial Museum
Barnstable Superior Courthouse
Cape Cod Art Association

Brewster
Harris Black House and Windmill
Cape Museum of Natural History
Stoney Brook Grist Mill
Brewster Historical Society Museum
Nickerson State Park
Cape Cod Reperatory Theater

Dennis
Josiah Dennis Manse & Old West Schoolhouse
Cape Museum of Fine Arts
Cape Cinema
Cape Playhouse
Scargo Hill Tower

Orleans
Cape Cod Rail Trail Bicycle Trail
French Cable Station Museum
Jonathan Young Windmill

Sandwich
Shawme Crowell State Forest
Sandwich Glass Museum
Dexter’s Grist Mill
Thornton Burgess Museum
Hoxie House
Heritage Plantation
Wing Fort House
Green Briar Nature Center
Nye Homestead

Yarmouth
Bangs Hallet House
Yarmouth Nature Trail
Winslow Crocker House

Kayaking Cape Cod Style

Rich and I first bought kayaks during our tenure in North Conway, NH, where, as many of you know, we had an 11-room bed and breakfast in the heart of the White Mountains. Longtime owners of an Old Town canoe, we were cajoled by friends one day to try kayaking on the Saco River. Lulled into complacency by the ease of navigating this gentle river in summer, allowing the current to steer us downstream to a pick-up spot in the bend of the river, we soon sold our canoe and invested in kayaks of our own.
We “tried on” several kayaks (literally) before making our choices. I went with a Perception Acadia, and Rich chose a Walden specifically because it is designed for fishing, being wider of berth and shallower of draft, and hence more stable. Plus it had a neat gizmo attached to store his fishing rod when not in use and a nifty little detachable apron across the cockpit, just perfect for attaching hooks, and lures, and flies, and such.. Actually, it comes in much more handy when eating lunch out on the water. Well, you get the picture. We each decided to get our own kayak rather than a tandem, primarily due to the ugly moped incident on our honeymoon when we opted to rent one moped for the both of us. It’s lucky we still married after that experience, let alone alive. But that’s another story.

Anyhow, we brought our kayaks with us when we moved to the Cape, fully expecting to while away many a summer’s afternoon in the bayous and backwaters of this lovely peninsular. To date we have kayaked in Barnstable Harbor, on Little Pleasant Bay, on the Parker River (to a 4th of July fireworks display), and Lake Wequaquet, all memorable experiences to be sure, but not nearly enough to sate our hunger for the sport.

There are a number of good kayak rental outfitters on Cape Cod, and a few that offer guided tours and instruction. Our favorite is Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures (http://www.ospreyseakayak.com), operated by Dick Hilmer and his wife. Dick is a heck of a guy, a throwback perhaps to the 60s, but a supremely knowledgeable and extremely eco-conscious individual with a terrific sense of humor. We have sent a number of our guests on kayak adventures with Dick, and all return with high praise for his unique ability to share his love of and concern for the fragile Cape Cod eco-system. We’ve even taken some of our friends out with Dick, who echo our kudos to what he offers the Cape Cod visitor.

When time allows we will tackle the rest of what Dick tells us are the best kayaking spots on the Cape. Here is his top ten list, in no particular order:

SCORTON CREEK, Sandwich
Launch from the State Wildlife Reservation off Route 6A by the Scorton Creek Bridge. Scorton means “place where the stream branches.” Follow this twisting tidal creek through the Great Marsh, which once stretched as far as Barnstable Harbor. Explore adjacent Mill and Shove Creeks. Highlights: herons, egrets, ospreys, and striped bass.

WAQUOIT BAY, Falmouth & Mashpee
Launch from Great River Boat Landing, Great Oak Road, Mashpee. Paddle down Great River and west across Waquoit Bay to Washburn Island. Continue south along the island, across the channel to South Cape Beach State Park, then return across the bay. Highlights: walking the pristine 330-acre Washburn Island (primitive camping available), beachcombing on South Cape Beach, shorebirds.

BARNSTABLE HARBOR, Barnstable
Launch from Blish Point State Landing, Millway Road. Head across Barnstable Harbor to Sandy Neck and explore this spectacular seven-mile long barrier beach that protects the 4,000-acre Great Marsh. Highlights: second highest sand dunes on Cape Cod, views of the Great Marsh, quaint village and old lighthouse at Beach Point.

BASS RIVER, Dennis
Launch from Cove Road and paddle north. Bass River is the longest river on Cape Cod, stretching seven miles from its headwaters at Mill Pond to Nantucket Sound. Highlight: walking the two mile trail at the Indian Lands Conservation Area, spring wildflowers (including lady’s slippers).

BELLS NECK/HERRING RIVER, Harwich
Launch from Bell’s Neck Road and cross the West Reservoir, a freshwater cedar swamp. Take out at the dike and put back in on the Herring River. Follow the winding river to Route 28 in West Harwich. Highlights: 245 acres of salt and freshwater marshes, woods, herring run, cranberry bogs, kettle ponds, hiking trails.

BREWSTER PONDS, Brewster
Launch from Punkhorn Parklands parking lot, Run Hill Road. An easy canoe trip through a chain of freshwater ponds, Walker’s, Upper Mill, and Lower Mill. These kettle ponds were created 12,000 years ago by melting blocks of glacial ice. Highlights: Stony Brook Grist Mill, the herring run, five miles of trails in the 800-acre Punkhorn Parklands.

LITTLE PLEASANT BAY, Orleans
Launch from Portanimicut Road, Orleans. Paddle across Little Pleasant Bay to circumnavigate Sampson and Hog Islands and explore Nauset Beach. The privately owned islands allow visitors, and Nauset Beach is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Highlights: snorkeling, eelgrass beds, horseshoe crabs, ospreys.

NAUSET MARSH, Eastham
Launch from Salt Pond below the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center or Hemenway Road off Route 6. Nauset Marsh is a vast system of salt-marsh, creeks, channels, islands, and barrier beach. Circumnavigate the marsh heading north through Salt Pond Bay and Nauset Bay, then south along Nauset Beach, and back through the Main Channel. Or head south through Skiff Hill Creek along Fort Hill, past Town Cove to Inlet Marsh and back. Highlights: former Coast Guard Station, thousands of nesting terns, migrating shorebirds, seals, striped bass, ospreys, beachcombing, National Seashore visitor center, hiking trails and bike paths nearby.

WELLFLEET PONDS, Wellfleet
Launch from Gull Pond Landing off Schoolhouse Hill Road. This is a short and easy tour, especially good for beginners, of three kettle ponds – Gull, Higgins, and Williams – in the Cape Cod National Seashore. Williams Pond was the home of the “Wellfleet Oysterman” immortalized in Thoreau’s Cape Cod. Highlights: water lilies, red maples, turtles, frogs, sunfish, swimming.

PAMET RIVER, Truro
Launch from the South Pamet Road culvert to explore the freshwater Upper Pamet or from the Pamet Harbor boat ramp on Depot Road to explore the saltwater Lower Pamet and Pamet Harbor. The Pamet is an outwash channel carved by the glaciers with its head at the Atlantic Ocean and its mouth at Cape Cod Bay. Highlights: foliage, panoramic views of the Pamet Hills.

Something to Celebrate on Cape Cod

Winters are long on Cape Cod. Not necessarily cold, but often gray and lacking the colors that other seasons bring. Hence, one of our favorite winter pastimes is anticipating the arrival of spring, summer, and fall with their inherent seasonal offerings and requisite celebrations. Cape Cod is rife with special events that highlight our symbiotic relationship with the fruits of land and sea. The High Pointe Inn is an avid supporter of many of the events. In fact, Rich is a major contributor to the Wellfleet OysterFest, making his annual sacrifice of consuming 4-5 dozen oysters single-handedly. We are delighted to share with you a few of our favorite events, as well as a few new ones that aim to showcase the region’s culinary delights and prolific arts community. Be sure to make your reservations at the High Pointe Inn early, as we sellout quickly for most of these events.

Cape Cod Maritime Days, month of May

Cape Cod Maritime Days is a celebration of the Cape’s rich maritime history comprised of lighthouse and walking tours, nautical art exhibits and maritime lectures, boat-building exhibits, and kayak excursions. The month-long celebration also features the Cape Cod Maritime History Symposium and Annual Cape Cod Maritime Festival. For more information visit http://www.ecapechamber.com/MaritimeDays/.

Cape Cod Life’s First Annual FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL, June 1 – 4, 2008

Cape Cod Life Publications will celebrate the Cape’s distinguished culinary world with the inaugural “Cape Cod Life Food & Wine Festival” from June 1 through June 4, 2008.

The four-day festival will showcase the region’s finest chefs and restaurants through a series of wine dinners and “cultural” happy hours. More than forty restaurants from Provincetown to Bourne will hold dinners each evening highlighting their chef’s best. Joining the restaurants will be local and international winemakers who will offer pairings of spectacular wines from around the world.

Additionally, Cultural Happy Hours will be held on June 2, 3 & 4 in venues that capture the area’s richness in art, history and nature. Guests will sample hors d’oeuvres and fine wines while enjoying art and music in three cultural venues – the Highfield Hall in Falmouth (June 2), the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster (June 3), and the Wellfleet Harbors Actors Theater in Wellfleet (June 4).

The festival will kick off with the Grand Opening Tasting at the splendid Rectrix Aerodrome in Hyannis on Memorial Day – Sunday June 1st from 3-6 p.m. The event will include local cuisine, wines from around the world, presentations from local artists and musicians, and cooking demonstrations from an elite group of celebrity chefs representing both Cape Cod and Boston. Chef Gabriel Frasca of Nantucket’s renowned Straight Wharf restaurant will lead an iron chef style cook-off against other top chefs to be announced soon. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod and the Institute for Hospitality and Culinary Studies at Cape Cod Community College.

More information is also available at “http://www.festival.capecodlife.com/”.

Annual Cape Land and Sea Harvest (CLASH), September 25-28, 2008

The annual Cape Land and Sea Harvest is a celebration of Cape Cod’s agricultural and fishing heritage. The Cape enjoys a rich profusion of locally grown and caught foods, particularly in the autumn. Cape shell fishers bring in lobster, crab, oysters, clams, scallops, and mussels, while line fishermen are catching blue fin tuna, bluefish, cod, cusk, haddock, hake, monkfish, redfish and skate wings.

Meanwhile local farmers harvest their largest bounty of the growing season: apples, arugula, beans, beets, cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, kale, leeks, melons, mesclun, pears, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, raspberries, scallions, shallots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips and winter squash.

CLASH combines a wealth of opportunities to savor the culinary delights of Cape Cod at venues across the region. For example, during the 4-day celebration:

Ÿ Participating restaurants offer special tasting menus that showcase local ingredients.

Ÿ Farms, cranberry bogs, fisheries, wineries, breweries and other agricultural businesses provide tours and behind-the-scenes views of their operations.

Ÿ A season finale farmers’ market offers guests an opportunity to purchase locally harvested fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Ÿ And, at the annual Cape Cod Oyster Festival, attendees feast on raw, baked, roasted and stewed oysters prepared by local restaurants, and sample wines from the best vineyards in the world.

Fall for the Arts Festival, October 4 & 5, 2008

The 1st Annual Fall for the Arts Festival, a joint effort between the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod and Cape Cod VIEW magazine, will feature family-friendly performances and exhibitions showcasing the region’s exciting cultural scene, offering visitors and residents the opportunity to meet and talk with exhibiting artists, sample fine cuisine, enjoy live entertainment, discover cultural organizations, take a walk through history and even create their own works of art. Specific festival events and ticketing information will be announced in upcoming months. For more information contact the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod at 508-362-0066 x13 or email info@artsfoundation.org.

Annual Wellfleet Oyster Fest, October 18-19, 2008

The annual Wellfleet OysterFest is a two-day celebration of the famous Wellfleet oysters and its deep-rooted shell fishing traditions. Wellfleet’s town center comes alive for this street party that brings together locals and visitors alike for a weekend full of food, art, music, fun and games.

This year’s event will take place Saturday and Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2008 and will mark Wellfleet’s eighth annual OysterFest. The event centers on Main Street in Wellfleet, and features local shell fishermen and women, who come in off the tides to offer their briny, luscious oysters and clams. Alongside the rawbars, restaurants serve up chowders, stuffed clams, and other traditional New England fare. In addition, more than 70 carefully selected artisans and artists show off a stunning range of arts and crafts including handmade jewelry, paintings, sweaters, soaps, furniture, jams, and more.

The highlight of the event is the annual Oyster Shuck-Off, a rousing timed competition where amateurs compete for the fun of it, and some of Wellfleet’s home-town shuckers have been fast enough to go on to compete nationally. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three winners. The OysterFest is free and goes on rain or shine.

Spectacle of Lights, late November through December; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 5pm to 9pm

Heritage Museums & Gardens presents its annual Spectacle of Lights, a holiday lighting extravaganza, with indoor and outdoor venues that dazzle the senses. Visitors stroll through the grounds, enjoying the unique beauty of the gardens and forests, highlighted by dramatic landscape lighting and appealing animated vignettes on the lawns.

Indoors, the Auto Museum features an antique toy train exhibit, a giant poinsettia tree, and Photos with Santa. The Art Museum hosts more displays, including a 12-foot Victorian tree adorned with hand-made ornaments. And visitors get to top the evening off with a complimentary ride on the recently restored Carousel!

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