We visit Cape Cod often; it's close enough to drive to in a day, and far enough away from home that we can get some rest. As many times as we've been there, we still discover new and different things to do, depending on our mood and the season.
With high summer weather and the Tour de France on TV every day, we spent this week-long trip with Mr. & Mrs. SDC mostly on our bikes. We had such a great time! The Cape has a fabulous rail trail to keep cyclists away from the crazy tourist drivers (scroll down to see how close a truck got to Chris on a main road!), but there are also a lot of small residential streets to explore, with beautiful gardens and ocean views. Blue, pink, and purple hydrangeas were in bloom everywhere. Here we are in Chatham, (at the "elbow" of the Cape) across from the lighthouse.
Chatham Light.
Tired but happy riders. Mrs. SDC and I match only by accident. The guys match on purpose.
When we weren't riding, Mrs. SDC and I did some recipe experiments. My favorite was a version of the Everyday Food's grilled pizza. We stayed in a rented house with a fully stocked kitchen, and though the outdoor grill itself was not great, we had some delicious, healthy dinners. Mrs. SDC also made a version of these blueberry muffins. Yum!
I did a little shopping; bought a pretty scarf at Violet's and a daisy bracelet at Bella. Mrs. SDC and I enjoyed manicures and pedicures at Le Petite Day Spa, and also discovered a new knitting shop called Black Purls. I couldn't resist the heathered pink Cascade yarn for the Betty Minisweater. (I still haven't decided on a shawl pattern for my dress).
Though I didn't get nearly as much reading done as I'd hoped, I am loving the Whole Living/Body + Soul magazine and website. I read so many great articles on health and wellness last week, which was really inspiring. Do you read this magazine?
I did rip and re-knit the block pattern on the Vogue Pink Skirt (sitting in traffic for an hour on the way home makes for lots of progress!). I increased two stitches on each side (for a total of four) so that every block has 10 stitches, including the ones where the seams would be. I'm at the beginning of the second round of blocks.
Version 2.0: no funky block seams where the stitchmarkers are.
It's still very hot and humid here in southern New England, for which I am deeply grateful. Real summer at last. Lots more beach days ahead, and it's even hot enough for me to go in the water!
Blue hydrangeas from our backyard. These are lacecaps, but the "mop-head" style are everywhere to enjoy too. The blues and purples are so brilliant.
We have a lacecap hydrangea too! I didn't know there were different types of hydrangeas...I just thought ours was a late bloomer.
Posted by: Erika | July 21, 2010 at 10:58 AM
I hope Mr. SDC was able to get another photo with a clear shot of that maniac's license plate.
The skirt looks much nicer after you refigured the stitch count. The Betty sweater is so cute. Hmm, I wonder if my daughter would like it?
Posted by: Kristen | July 21, 2010 at 12:50 PM
I have never seen this kind of hydrangea before, it's so pretty.
Well done with your skirt it is looking lovely.
Such a pretty cardigan and it will look perfect in the pink!!
Posted by: 2paw | July 22, 2010 at 12:42 AM
Looks like the skirt is coming along well! I like the Betty pattern too and the color will be so pretty on you! Nice to see some of your garden blooms.
Posted by: Sarah | July 22, 2010 at 03:28 PM
Sounds like the perfect getaway, a good mix of activity and relaxing. I can't believe how people drive around bicyclists. I always get a grateful wave in the rear view because I get way over.
I've never seen lace cap hydrangea either. We have 2 new mop-heads this year, a lavender and a pink.
Posted by: Sonya | July 22, 2010 at 10:54 PM
Looks like the skirt is coming along nicely. Loved your pics! That yarn is such a lovely, feminine color.
Posted by: Leah | July 23, 2010 at 07:32 PM
Oh man! That was a really close call on the bike.
I'm glad you had a nice vacation!
Posted by: Beth | August 13, 2010 at 10:57 AM