It’s been a year and a half since I’ve gone anywhere out of my home state. My son was recently transferred to Cape Cod, Massachusetts for work, a great place for a visit. Unlike the tourist travel I have usually done, this journey would be a relaxing one, exploring little towns, walking the beaches, and eating seafood.
I stayed at a friend’s house in Yarmouth Port for the first part of the trip. If one envisions the map of Cape Cod as a flexed arm, the town would be close to where the biceps bulge. Although the house is tucked into a deciduous forest, not many trees were wearing autumn colors yet. The cape was still draped in green with just a splash of color here and there. The morning sun shone through the cemetery across the street and lit up the pond a short stroll away.
My son and his wife dropped me off by a rental car place in Hyannis, directly to the south, the largest town on the cape, on the Nantucket Sound side. It was a bit early for my appointed pick-up time, so I took a walk around residential streets. Weathered shingles defined many of the houses.
It was difficult to find a place to park among the large sprawling homes fronting private beaches. The waves beckoned, the smell of salt air, the rhythmic gentle splash of waves. Although signs warned against doing so, I pulled in to a parking area designated Residents Only and hopped out to breathe in the aroma and take a few quick photos. Continuing on around the shoreline, a public beach finally appeared, with free parking, at least at this time of year. October is a shoulder season; the summer dwellers are mostly gone; many shops and restaurants are closed. One of my favorite pastimes, when I have the opportunity, is walking along the beach, feeling the sand softly scrunch sculpting to the shape of my feet, making tracks on the wet sand, marking the ebb and flow of the water and crest of the waves.
On the way back to the Yarmouth house through Barnstable
Downtown Hyannis
Cape Cod: Yarmouth and Hyannis, Chatham, National Seashore, Provincetown, Yarmouth, Chapin sunset, Cape Cod Canal, Sandwich, Nor’easter, Falmouth, Woods Hole
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Great post and wonderful photos, especially from Downtown Hyannis. I am glad to see you had a chance to visit Cape Cod, Massachusetts – they have many beautiful lighthouses surrounded by dunes and seagrass. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thanks for your visit, Aiva! So happy to be here and to get away for a while.
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Glad to read that you were able to travel. Hyannis Port sure looks peaceful. Enjoy your trip 😊
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Thank you. The seaside always seems peaceful, even though I am on the other ocean from you. 😉
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One day I will make it to see that ocean 🙂
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d to see you were able to get out and smell the sea breeze Ruth. It is indeed refreshing. Stay well. Allan
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Refreshing and invigorating! Thanks, Allan
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Visiting places during shoulder season is a surreal experience: less crowds and more of the place to yourself. Cape Cod looks absolutely tranquil, and it looked to be a lovely getaway to see family!
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Yes, it’s a good visit with my people and a perfect time to explore without crowds. More to come…
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It’s wonderful that you were able to get away during these pandemic times. Cape Cod looks peaceful and a great place to visit during the off-peak season! Enjoy the food and the scenery!
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Thanks, Barbara. The tourists are pretty much gone and the cold weather hasn’t arrived yet, a perfect time to wander the cape.
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Ever since childhood I’ve associated Hyannis port with the Kennedy family. I’ve never visited the town, but it’s on my bucket list.
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There’s a museum with a JFK statue out front right along the downtown street, and many reminders of their presence here in place names.
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Your photos are gorgeous!!!!
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Thank you, Luisa!
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🙏💜🙏
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Lovely captures. My husband used to live in Boston for a few years for work so we’re no strangers to Cape Cod. it’s such a lovely area. It’s always nice to visit during the off-season as it feels like you have the entire beach to yourself.
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You picked a great place for your first trip after so long! I love seaside places out of season and like you especially like walking barefoot on the sand 🙂
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It’s restful and inspiring. Happy to spend a little time here. More to come…
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I look forward to it!
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What a beautiful area with the beaches and cute seaside towns. I love the quirky signs too 🙂 Maggie
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Hoping to explore a few more little towns and beaches. Stay tuned.
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I love Cape Cod. You got some great photos! Isn’t it so nice to be able to venture out again?
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It’s wonderful, so long anticipated! I’ll be posting more as I wander the cape.
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Gorgeous photos. Must be nice to be there in the off season. It looks so relaxing. And what a bonus being able to visit your son in such a beautiful place.
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Thanks so much, Caroline. It’s a treat to spend time together and to have time to wander.
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Mm, this article really captured a sense of calm and serenity. Cape Cod looks every bit as beautiful as I have come to expect from other online images I’ve seen. Think I’d probably get lost for a spell in that 1856 store. Travel in the off season is so rewarding, I find. Sladja and I are currently living in the Montenegrin town of Budva, where the tourists have all gone and slowly stuff is beginning to shut down. But we LOVE the quiet and the moody fall skies. Hope you get the most out of your well-deserved trip.
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I just looked up Budva, so picturesque and a lovely spot on the sea. I hope you’ll share some photos from your current home town! The cape is perfect in off-season too, still relatively warm, no tourists crowding the beaches and restaurants. I will be here for a few weeks. Thanks for your good thoughts, Leighton. More to come…
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It feels like it was such a sweet dreamy relaxed time.
I’m always mildly appalled by the American practice of private beaches. Growing up in Australia where no private beaches are allowed I was shocked to discover this was even a thing.
Alison
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Very nice, Ruth. My old stomping grounds. Enjoyed all.
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Ah, didn’t know this was one of your places! Thanks for coming along. There will be more…
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I Look forward to it. Ruth, check out Brewster if you have a chance. And visit the General Store there.
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I’ll look for it.
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And try to go there at low tide. There’s nothing quite like the “Brewster flats.” If you’ve been to Mont Saint-Michel, it’s like that.
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Thanks, Dave, I’ll be here for a while yet and it looks like something not to be missed!
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We finally made it to Cape Cod a few years back and loved the experience. The drive all the way out to Provincetown was wonderful, as was a seafood lunch near Eastham and a stop at a friend’s place in Chatham. No wonder Bostonians flock here in the summertime.
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Ah, then you will relate to my coming posts as I explore more of the cape. 🙂
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It looks tranquil and beautiful, a lovely place to visit and explore. Boston is high on our list for next year, so maybe we will have to make it Boston and Cape Cod 🙂
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It’s a lovely little spot, although crowded in summer. Thanks for your comment, Han
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