May 24-28, 2018 – Cape Cod, Massachusetts
If you ever find yourself running north through Bishop, California on US-395, just past the Upper Crust Pizza Parlor, you will see a sign for US-Route 6. That is the western terminus of one of the longest highways in the United States. The eastern end is the subject of this post: Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Far different from the desert landscape out west, this forested peninsula juts into the Atlantic Ocean, only to curl back towards the Massachusetts mainland it came from. It somewhat looks like the left arm of the Notre Dame fighting leprechaun. 🙂
Cape Cod was our next stop after our stay in Rhode Island. We allowed ourselves five days to explore the area, which was a nice amount of time to get a feel for this unique place. Our base camp was in Eastham, about halfway up the forearm, so to speak. We stayed at Atlantic Oaks RV Resort, which was conveniently located on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a 22-mile long asphalt path between South Dennis and Wellfleet.
As you can see by our truck, we were inundated with pollen. 🙂 That has been the downside of following the blooming dogwood trees all the way up the coast. The weather has been decent, though!
And check out that beautiful bike path. This was one of the best marked trails we had ever been on, with motion sensors at many of the road crossings to alert the drivers. When it crossed busy Route 6, it was either by dedicated bridge or tunnel. Plenty of pretty views along the way. We rode portions of this route three separate times, as the weather allowed.
Any chance for us to get out on the trikes is sure to put smiles on our faces!
The area is also home to Cape Cod National Seashore. This park covers 40 miles of Atlantic coastline, and is just above 43,000 acres in size. It was created in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. When not on the rail trail, we could be found in the park!
This is the view from the visitor center. While this looks like an inland lake, it is actually a salt water pond that is subject to the ocean tides. It is aptly named Salt Pond, and it is smack in the middle of the Cape.
With the miles of coastline comes a multitude of lighthouses. This is Nauset Light, which was fairly close to our campground.
And near that were the relocated Three Sisters lights. These were originally fixed light beacons, built long before the lenses rotated. Ships could tell where they were by the fact that there were three of them lit. When the National Park Service restored them, they only rebuilt one lantern room.
Farther up the coast is the Highland Lighthouse. This 1857 structure was moved 400 feet back from the sea in 1996. International Chimney Corporation of Buffalo was the contractor responsible for the work, three years prior to their similar accomplishment at Cape Hatteras.
We also visited the Edward Penniman House, which was the home of a very successful whaling captain.
Our guide, a former builder from New Jersey, has been giving tours of the home for over twenty years. While the home itself lacked furniture and was in need of repair, he was able to tell the story of the family that lived here. It was nice to see such a dedicated volunteer. 🙂
We also visited the Old Harbor Life Saving Museum. This structure is at the north end of Cape Cod. The plywood on the windows covers blown out windows from winter storms earlier in the year. As are many of the structures along this coast, this building was in danger of falling into the sea. It was moved here from further down the shore by barge in 1977. This museum is maintained exactly as it would have been when it was a lifesaving station, right down to the living quarters. We wanted to see this place, as we are going to be volunteering in a similar building in Michigan later this summer.
Our tour guide gave us a very detailed description of what occurred at this facility.
Room by room, David explained at length the day-to-day life at this remote outpost. The men who worked here never had a chance to become bored, as they were constantly practicing for a possible shipwreck rescue.
He inspired us for our upcoming experience, and we will using some of what he taught us in our tours. We’ll just have to be careful not to call a harbor a hah-bah. 🙂
That wraps up our enjoyable stay on Cape Cod! We had a great time exploring this special place. Next up, we make a couple of nice stops in New Hampshire and Maine as we move north towards Acadia National Park. Be sure to stay tuned for that. Until then, safe travels to all!
Take note that we have added a Disclosure and Privacy Policy page immediately below our header, to bring us in compliance with GDPR. Many thanks to Gaelyn at Geogypsy for alerting us to the need for it, Ingrid at Live Laugh RV for help in setting it up and Nina at Wheelingit for a wealth of information on the subject.
exploRVistas 
Wow, Cape code does really resemble the Notre Dame’s mascot. Happy to see y’all on your trikes again and what a great area to explore. There is no doubt that we’ll be following some of your East Coast trail next year. Tell the morning sunrise from Cadillac Mnt in Maine that we said hello.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha…that occurs at 4:30 AM this time of year, David and Sharon! We did it many years ago, so that’s checked off our list. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like you had a great time on the cape. 😎
When you get to Maine have some Lobster for me😋
Safe travels to you guys 🛣🚙
LikeLiked by 1 person
We sure did have fun, Rick!
LikeLike
I always learn something from each of your blog posts. Found myself sidetracked researching route 6, then back to reading your blog. I could see taking a theme trip someday, like route 66, route 6, following Louis and Clark and more.
Can you get a weekly rate at Atlantic Oaks? Did not see if offered on their website other than 10% off for six or more nights. Looks like a fantastic stop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure on the rate, Mark. I know they had quite a few seasonals, and it appeared that it really gets busy in the summer. Coming in before Memorial Day was perfect.
Thanks for the kudos on the blog posts! We feel the same about yours. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always been curious about Cape Cod. Looks pretty and lush. Love those highways that stretch across the country. When we were up in Idaho, we camped near U.S. Route 20. I immediately called my dad in Illinois (who lives just off Hwy 20) to let him know we were just down the road on 20… worth a few laughs.
Glad to see you got the disclosure up – thanks for the mention 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Than you for the help, Ingrid! US-20 is now the longest highway, but US-6 used to be. Before California changed their numbering, 6 used to go all the way to Long Beach. Not sure how they were able to renumber a US highway, but they did.
Cape Cod kind of surprised us. We were expecting flat, barren and sandy, similar too Cape Hatteras. Not the case at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am constantly amazed how much natural beauty is along the east coast and I thank you for sharing that. Is there any possible boondocking?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome! As far as boondocking, yes there is, Gaelyn. You will definitely want to look into Boondockers Welcome, along with Harvest Hosts. With the latter, you are supposed to patronize the business…but if it is a farm market, you need to buy groceries anyway. Also, plenty of NPS campsites for not much $. Have you ever checked freecampsites.net?
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you think the word harbor sounds funny on Cape Cod as an old Cape Coder myself Wait till you get down to Maine The thick of the accent the older the family heritage
LikeLiked by 1 person
No doubt, Ed. 🙂 We’ve been to Maine many times…especially Ba Haba.
LikeLike
Nice that you were able to get out on your bikes! Love the lighthouse pictures, amazing that they date back that far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We had spotted that trail on TrailLink awhile back, so we were hoping it was as good as advertised…which it was, Jim. Michigan actually has a few that go back that far. Rock Island Light in Wisconsin goes all the way back to 1836! 😊
LikeLike
We haven’t been to the Cape since the kids were younger, maybe 30 years ago. It was a fun trip. Looks like you had good weather. Nice bike trail. Glad you got to ride your trikes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We really were fortunate to have decent weather, Pam. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful visit – I can’t wait to get there! The lighthouses all seem so little 🙂 You both look great in your neon – and super happy 🙂 I had no idea about Route 6, I definitely need to check that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, the lighthouses were shorter than most, Jodee. We had a blast on that bike path! It would be fun to drive a red road from coast to coast. US-20 or US-6…either one. I imagine an old map would show the route from Long Beach to Bishop, before CA renumbered it. It was the longest US highway back then.
LikeLike
I see all the lighthouses, where’s the pic at the Cape Cod National Seashore? Although we were only there for a day drive, we found the place interesting . And oh I’m green with your neon tops; that’s my favorite color and look on you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The last nine photos were taken in the Cape Cod National Seashore, MonaLiza. Plus, the bike path runs through it too. 🙂
We like to wear that neon green on the trikes, as we sit so low to the ground. Our TerraTrikes have yellow flags…I really wish they made them in that bright green. Much more visible. 🙂
LikeLike
I guess I was looking for the beach😀
LikeLiked by 1 person