Cape Cod

Last weekend, Chris and I celebrated our 15th anniversary in Cape Cod. Our original plan was to do a bike trip in Tuscany, but since I'm still job hunting and starting my writing coaching business, we thought it was better to stay closer to home.

We've been visiting Cape Cod since before we were married, and I'm amazed that for all of our interests over the years, we always find something new there. At first, we'd troll the antique stores and used book stores, and we still love to do the latter. Chris can find lots of railroad history, and I love all the little shops, including yarn shops, with the seaside theme. But over time, we've shifted more to cycling, with the rail trails and beautiful street views. I love all of the garden fences with the roses tumbling over them. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate for much of this weekend, and only Chris was able to get in a long morning ride, to the lighthouse in Truro. On the one beautiful summer day that we had, we made a new discovery, the Monomoy Wildlife Refuge. Here are some photos of our weekend, most taken by Chris.

The view from inside the Orleans Inn (can you tell how much I love these sweet Victorian buildings?!), where we had dinner. We had hoped to eat outside, but it was too wet.

 

 

 

The sun came out the next day, and I wanted so much to walk on the beach! We stopped at the information booth and got a map for Monomoy -- it's tucked away off of the "elbow" of Cape Cod, but what a reward if you find it! You walk through a small parcel of woods, to a tall wooden staircase...

 

 

...and then you are treated to this:

 

 

There is nothing on earth that I love more than this, the sound of the water lapping gently on the sand (those spa fountains and recordings that simulate the waves are a nice thought, but nowhere even close), sea birds flying overhead, shells scattered along the tide line. The smell of the salt air, the gentle breezes, the view to forever...my paradise. And I got to share it with a cute boy too! :)

 

You can see the little inlets of water and the beach grass, below. There are terns that live here, protected from the sea gulls that were trying to take over. We also saw lots of horseshoe crabs.

 

At the end of the day, we were treated to a striking sunset, on another part of the Cape.

 

Highland Light, high on the cliff. It's been moved back several times as the land is worn away by the water.

 

If you follow the path around the back, it takes you to the edge of the cliff...

 

...where you see this:

 

A much more wild ocean, fiercer winds, and yet incredibly beautiful too.

 

Chris contemplates the view (and recovers from the 40+ mile hilly ride to get there. I took the car instead). By the time we got back to the hotel, had breakfast, and were ready to go for a shorter ride together, the sky turned on us. The canal trail is at the foot of the railroad bridge (below), and the clouds and showers rolled in. Maybe next time!

 

While we were away, I finished reading Bird by Bird (truly one of the best books I have ever read), and last night polished off This Lullaby (if I can write half as well as Sarah Dessen one day, I'd be thrilled). Unfortunately the "to read" stack has grown larger than the "finished" stack...

 

The top two were Book Mooched, the next two were Amazon credits, and the bottom three were rainy day finds in the Cape Cod bookstores. As an anniversary present, Chris gave me A Garden Lover's Cape Cod too. So, of course, I've started A Rather Charming Invitation instead, which I ordered back in February for summer beach reading.

My pink skirt is coming along well, and I almost have enough of the block pattern done to share another in-progress photo soon. Tomorrow, we are going to Cape Ann, one of the places on my summer wish list, to do a bike ride, but I'll have plenty of knitting time in the car on the way.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Comments

[Beth]

Oh, it looks like it was such a lovely trip! How nice that you were able to get away for a while.

I've been gathering titles of books I want to read and I'm thinking I should document them on my blog. I can never find my list when I head to the library or book store! :)

[Sara]

Looks like it was a nice Cape Cod week-end....

Love the photos of the beach!

[2paw]

What a gorgeous place and I am so glad you had a wonderful time!!

[Bubblesknits]

Goodness...that looks gorgeous! I think I might have to add that to my list of places I want to visit. :) It's a long list. lol Glad y'all had a great anniversary vacation!

[Kara]

So lovely. I can't imagine a more perfect way to spend an anniversary. Glad you had a wonderful time.

[Sydney]

Beautiful! What a wonderful place to spend your anniversary.

Happy Anniversary and Blogiversary! (I'm trying to catch up.)

[Danielle]

Congratulations! It sounds like you had a lovely anniversary. Thanks for sharing the gorgeous photos--I can *almost* feel the sand between my toes! Oh and lots of good books, too! I have the Crombie to read as well as The Poisoned Chocolates Case--enjoy!

[Kristen]

Thanks for the virtual Cape Cod vacation!

[Sarah]

Glad you had such a great time! Hope you like the Crombie book, I really love that series.

[Sheepish Annie]

One day, I will visit Cape Cod. It's on the list! For now, though, I'll have to be satisfied with your virtual tour. Wonderful pix!!

[Chris]

Gorgeous photos! (Including of the two of you!!)

[Erin]

Happy Anniversary! Sounds like the perfect trip. I have always wanted to go to Cape Cod.