CAPE COD
October 2002

Hyannis is 572 miles from our home. We just bought a '98 Le Sabre Buick, so the trip was much more comfortable than the rental cars we have been using.

We arrived at the Anchor in, Hyannis, Massachusetts, a large "distinctive waterfront lodging on Cape Cod." We were greeted in a friendly manner and our room was spacious and very clean. The next morning we saw that we had a view, even though we were on the lower floor and had chosen their least expensive room. The coffee was really good, hot and medium strong without that ugly burnt taste of that famous coffee house. We had fruit and tasty muffins; the fruit was just right.

We took off for Cape Cod National Seashore, buying a large "Eastham" turnip along the way. The purchase was by the honor system. A woman thought I didn't know what a turnip was when I was yukking it up about them, and she started to explain it to me what a turnip is, so I said that it looked a little like a "Korean" turnip. Her jaw dropped and she didn't know what to say, so she just walked on, smiling to herself. I wonder if she gave a second thought as to what a "Korean turnip" might look like. Hmmm. <grin>

We stopped at the National Park Service to view a 12-minute movie showing the 3-feet-a-year shoreline disappearance.

We traveled further north to Marconi Beach where Marconi transmitted his first cable.

We took most of the side roads to the beaches and drove on a few drives where people lived. There weren't many drives or people, though. But I managed to find a friend!

We headed for Provincetown to tour the furthest town at the end of Cape Code and to take in the view of the Harbor and Beaches. Provincetown is quaint, but extremely crowded. We saw no out-of-state license plates but ours. I'd hate to go in-season. The restaurants are closing up November 1st. I guess we went just in time.

Provincetown looks serene, but it was so crowded we could hardly take this picture.

We found a Portuguese restaurant and I had Portuguese Kale Soup and Portuguese Rice, both made with a Portuguese sausage. I am not a meat-eater, but used to be, so had to try it. Nothing special! John had a Portuguese pork dish with lime, hot sauce and so much garlic that you could hardly see the pork for the garlic. So much for Portuguese food for a while.

I have flown over Cape Code and found it more interesting to view that from the ground. Living in Hawaii has spoiled me for all time for enjoyment of beaches. I'm sure some of it is just ole' age and livin' too long.

Our stay in CT was usual. I took a few pictures of John's neighborhood where he was raised and where his folks still live. I will include a few here.

John's family home
(built 1853 by Daniel Averill, John's great-great grandfather)
John's mom and dad still live there.
Dee by the flag pole.

John's great-grandfather's home - across the street

John's great-grandmother's home - across the street

The Neighborhood.
Down a block from the homes.

Across the street in each direction.
Branford River, left.
Mill Creek, right..

Long Island Sound is down a block from the homes in the opposite direction.
No pictures this time.

We went to Mohegan Sun (casino) , walked around to the new shops there, layed on the Tempurpedic mattress again, tried on hats and waited for John's dad to get thru gambling. The restaurants we ate in were all pretty good and we had our usual New Haven pizza in New Haven, with a great bottle of wine. But we've just got to find a new motel!

Next trip to CT, we hope to go to NYC or Montreal.
To heck with nature. Give me the city life!

Caught in accident traffic two different days.
Once for 2 hours 20 minutes; second time 1 hour.
Big-time bus accidents.

Monday, October 28, 2002