Falmouth in the Fall
Sep 24th, 2013, 06:14 PM
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Falmouth in the Fall
Falmouth in the Fall-a week on the Cape
Day One-Thanks to a gift from good friend we enjoyed a timeshare week in Falmouth, Mass. We aren't timeshare people but appreciated being at Briarwood Resort just north of Falmouth off Gifford St. www.briarwoodresort.net Nothing fancy but suitable and roomy . Distance was 85 miles from home (Watertown) crossing over the big Bourne Bridge...15 miles south of the bridge. And arriving about the same time was our family from Medford for an overnight: DS and partner with DGD plus just adopted newborn DGS! DS picked a lively place on a Saturday night: Quohog Republic Bar (www.quohogrepublic.com) Our family had samplers of many delicious seafood selections. Noisy but fun.
Day Two-Off to the seashore for the day. We went to Menaunhant Beach, not the closest but one chosen for easy access from parking. www.oncape.com/beaches/menauhant-beach) No question that the Cape has many beaches where you can walk the shoreline or relax with a book. Nice breeze and a little cool. Later swimming at the resort pool which DGD loves. Dinner at Oysters Two not far on Rt. 28 featured a special seafood cassarole. Recommended: www.oysterstoo.com After family departed in the evening we watched TV. Anyone else enjoying "Last Tango in Halifax?"
Day Three-Rainy day. Trip over to Hyannis to see the John F. Kennedy museum. This was a favorite vacation place for President Kennedy and family. Brief virtual tour at http://jfkhyannismuseum.org. The President loved to sail and also just walk along the beach. Our lunch was very nice taste of oysters dressed at the Naked Oyster on Main St. across from the park. Supplied by their own oyster farm. Recommended:
www.nakedoyster.com In the park was a man carving a large merry-go-round horse with a chainsaw...is there a name for this kind of art? DW insisted on going to the mall www.capecodmall.com where I waited patiently. That night a DVD "Wendy and Julie"...too moody, didn't much like. We brought several movies but the resort has a wide selection.
Day Four-Mostly relaxing and reading today. Didn't want to do much walking as DW had a lame leg. But we did browse in shops in Falmouth and picked up some items. Lunch was at Country Fare Restaurant by a local (sandwiches) plus yogurt at TisBerry. Dinner was left overs...including more of the pineapple upside down cake left by family.
(more to follow)
Day One-Thanks to a gift from good friend we enjoyed a timeshare week in Falmouth, Mass. We aren't timeshare people but appreciated being at Briarwood Resort just north of Falmouth off Gifford St. www.briarwoodresort.net Nothing fancy but suitable and roomy . Distance was 85 miles from home (Watertown) crossing over the big Bourne Bridge...15 miles south of the bridge. And arriving about the same time was our family from Medford for an overnight: DS and partner with DGD plus just adopted newborn DGS! DS picked a lively place on a Saturday night: Quohog Republic Bar (www.quohogrepublic.com) Our family had samplers of many delicious seafood selections. Noisy but fun.
Day Two-Off to the seashore for the day. We went to Menaunhant Beach, not the closest but one chosen for easy access from parking. www.oncape.com/beaches/menauhant-beach) No question that the Cape has many beaches where you can walk the shoreline or relax with a book. Nice breeze and a little cool. Later swimming at the resort pool which DGD loves. Dinner at Oysters Two not far on Rt. 28 featured a special seafood cassarole. Recommended: www.oysterstoo.com After family departed in the evening we watched TV. Anyone else enjoying "Last Tango in Halifax?"
Day Three-Rainy day. Trip over to Hyannis to see the John F. Kennedy museum. This was a favorite vacation place for President Kennedy and family. Brief virtual tour at http://jfkhyannismuseum.org. The President loved to sail and also just walk along the beach. Our lunch was very nice taste of oysters dressed at the Naked Oyster on Main St. across from the park. Supplied by their own oyster farm. Recommended:
www.nakedoyster.com In the park was a man carving a large merry-go-round horse with a chainsaw...is there a name for this kind of art? DW insisted on going to the mall www.capecodmall.com where I waited patiently. That night a DVD "Wendy and Julie"...too moody, didn't much like. We brought several movies but the resort has a wide selection.
Day Four-Mostly relaxing and reading today. Didn't want to do much walking as DW had a lame leg. But we did browse in shops in Falmouth and picked up some items. Lunch was at Country Fare Restaurant by a local (sandwiches) plus yogurt at TisBerry. Dinner was left overs...including more of the pineapple upside down cake left by family.
(more to follow)
Sep 25th, 2013, 12:43 AM
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I like your very down-to-earth reports a lot, Bill.
You don't expect every trip to be life-changing, and your pace is relaxing.
Cape Cod Mall: when it rains on the Cape, about 90% of vacationers mid-Cape decide to spend the day at the Mall. I suppose Mashpee Commons is the same. What people forget is that EVERYONE ELSE has had the same thought! The traffic jams can be monumental!
You don't expect every trip to be life-changing, and your pace is relaxing.
Cape Cod Mall: when it rains on the Cape, about 90% of vacationers mid-Cape decide to spend the day at the Mall. I suppose Mashpee Commons is the same. What people forget is that EVERYONE ELSE has had the same thought! The traffic jams can be monumental!
Sep 25th, 2013, 05:25 AM
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Day Five-Today our drive up to Provincetown. As close as Falmouth is to the Martha's Vineyard ferry it would seem logical to head there but we'd been on the Vineyard not long ago and also Nantucket. U.S. 6 is the quicker route but state 28 going east is more scenic near the south shore through villages and countryside. Passed by Stub Toe and King Arthur and other such streets plus many roadside stands and motels. Closer to the tip you are on U.S. 6 winding through sandy ridges and grasslands.
A stop off at the Salt Pond Visitors Center of the National Seashore near Eastham. First we watched a video and then I took a little woodland walk and we looked out at the seashore. (www.nps.gov/caco) There are many trails and good beaches along the expanse of the refuge looking out on the Atlantic...in fact many years ago we camped near one at Truro with our three youngsters who splashed in the ocean. Today we got "rollwiches" at Box Lunch in Wellfleet. www.boxlunch.com
Our Provincetown parking was in a lot up the hill behind the school...$4 for two hours. Strolling down Commercial Street you see eclectic shops and art galleries...but this is both street and walkway narrow though it is. We couldn't pass up Fudge Factory for some candy, including their chocolate peanut butter cups. (http://ptownfudge.com) Town certainly with an artsy flavor, a bit avante guard as you may know. (www.ptownchamber.com) There are live performances as in The Art House with upcoming women's week (www.ptownarthouse.com)
And a variety of clubs. Reminding us of an Umbrian tower is a tall slender granite monument recognizing the first Pilgrim landing before landing in Plymouth. Wonder what a mid-summer weekend crowd would be like! Might check out: www.PRIMETIMECAPECOD.com.
Back at Falmouth and just down Gifford St. we had the eggplant parm special at Grille 367. But the place not recommended. At night watched a sobering docu: "The Gatekeepers." Will the government of Israel ever negotiate some agreement allowing a Palestinian state?
(more)
A stop off at the Salt Pond Visitors Center of the National Seashore near Eastham. First we watched a video and then I took a little woodland walk and we looked out at the seashore. (www.nps.gov/caco) There are many trails and good beaches along the expanse of the refuge looking out on the Atlantic...in fact many years ago we camped near one at Truro with our three youngsters who splashed in the ocean. Today we got "rollwiches" at Box Lunch in Wellfleet. www.boxlunch.com
Our Provincetown parking was in a lot up the hill behind the school...$4 for two hours. Strolling down Commercial Street you see eclectic shops and art galleries...but this is both street and walkway narrow though it is. We couldn't pass up Fudge Factory for some candy, including their chocolate peanut butter cups. (http://ptownfudge.com) Town certainly with an artsy flavor, a bit avante guard as you may know. (www.ptownchamber.com) There are live performances as in The Art House with upcoming women's week (www.ptownarthouse.com)
And a variety of clubs. Reminding us of an Umbrian tower is a tall slender granite monument recognizing the first Pilgrim landing before landing in Plymouth. Wonder what a mid-summer weekend crowd would be like! Might check out: www.PRIMETIMECAPECOD.com.
Back at Falmouth and just down Gifford St. we had the eggplant parm special at Grille 367. But the place not recommended. At night watched a sobering docu: "The Gatekeepers." Will the government of Israel ever negotiate some agreement allowing a Palestinian state?
(more)
Sep 25th, 2013, 07:39 AM
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Day Six-Today we set forth to stroll down Main St. and the Village Green in Falmouth (DW leg still lame). Good street parking this time of year with no meters, likely difficult in summer. But there is a trolley. Lots of shops beckoning you, such as Livin EZ casual wear (bought T shirt, sweatshirt outside bin). This town was founded 1660 and now various villages are in surrounding area. Once a fishing town and now many cranberries grown. Plus of course tourists. Our first stop was at Thursday's farmers market. The Village Green once was a common grazing area and militia area. We walked by some historic houses and the UCC church with a Paul Revere cast bell. Some of the buinesses are housed in these 19th century buildings. www.FalmouthHistoricalSociety.org
Later a short drive down Woods Hole Road and there you are at the harbor and village. Not far away is Nobsak Lighthouse and as with most nowadays automated and no keeper. http://www.lighthouse.cc/nobska/history.html Various research going on such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution which you can support. I think only has special group tours. www.whoi.edu
Our evening meal was at a somewhat secluded place on Jones Pond (next to Grille 367) on Gifford St. with spacious and elegant dining rooms: Coonamessett Inn offering special three course dinner which we enjoyed of shrimp scampi and veal schnitzel. Recommended: www.coonamessetinn.com
Day Seven-DS and two small children back in the morning so once again off to Menauhant Beach. Too rocky for wading in the ocean but lots of sand sculpting with DGD. Then after lunch from Family Food deli we enjoyed the resort pool on this warm sunny day. How lucky! Family drove back later. Red Sox clinched Eastern Division. We partially packed.
Day Seven-Time to leave as the weekend crowd arrives
...imagining what the crowd must be during summer. Surely different in autumn. Population of Falmouth, for instance, triples in the summer season! For many the Cape offers beaches, hiking trails, cycling, fishing, sailing. For us at our age a time to relax with some exploring. We left about 10 a.m. and passed over Bourne Bridge but didn't stop for the annual Scallop Fest going on in Bourne which we had enjoyed previously. Arrived home before noon.
Later a short drive down Woods Hole Road and there you are at the harbor and village. Not far away is Nobsak Lighthouse and as with most nowadays automated and no keeper. http://www.lighthouse.cc/nobska/history.html Various research going on such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution which you can support. I think only has special group tours. www.whoi.edu
Our evening meal was at a somewhat secluded place on Jones Pond (next to Grille 367) on Gifford St. with spacious and elegant dining rooms: Coonamessett Inn offering special three course dinner which we enjoyed of shrimp scampi and veal schnitzel. Recommended: www.coonamessetinn.com
Day Seven-DS and two small children back in the morning so once again off to Menauhant Beach. Too rocky for wading in the ocean but lots of sand sculpting with DGD. Then after lunch from Family Food deli we enjoyed the resort pool on this warm sunny day. How lucky! Family drove back later. Red Sox clinched Eastern Division. We partially packed.
Day Seven-Time to leave as the weekend crowd arrives
...imagining what the crowd must be during summer. Surely different in autumn. Population of Falmouth, for instance, triples in the summer season! For many the Cape offers beaches, hiking trails, cycling, fishing, sailing. For us at our age a time to relax with some exploring. We left about 10 a.m. and passed over Bourne Bridge but didn't stop for the annual Scallop Fest going on in Bourne which we had enjoyed previously. Arrived home before noon.
Sep 25th, 2013, 06:22 PM
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Thanks for reading my little report...this was indeed mostly just a relaxing week made nice with a visit from family members. I'm curious...anyone tell me just how crowded it might be on a summer weekend in Falmouth, Provincetown or the Cape? Even though midweek and off season we did have some tourists and sometimes steady traffic flow.
Sep 26th, 2013, 11:47 AM
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Bill: very, very crowded. On Sunday of the July 4th weekend the traffic on Route 6 was backed up 25 miles from exit nine to the Sagamore bridge. That was unusual but it's typical for back-ups to exit four or five on Sundays.
Sep 26th, 2013, 05:52 PM
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If you get back there again during summer, take a ride on the Liberte' sailboat. $20 - $30/pp (depending on cruise time and length) for a wonderful relaxing sailboat ride toward Martha's Vineyard.
We do it every year. The best $20 you'll spend.
http://www.theliberte.com/
We do it every year. The best $20 you'll spend.
http://www.theliberte.com/
Sep 27th, 2013, 08:23 AM
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We've been going to the Cape in the summer for years. Used to go to Wellfleet, but now go to Falmouth. Love both towns, but Falmouth is a closer drive for a a short stay, and we really enjoy the Shining Seas bike trail and the beaches along it - easy pedaling for any age. Our favorite restaurants in Falmouth include the Mexican place Anejo, Peking Palace, and for unpretentiuos, good seafood Three Of A Kind.
We always go on weekdays (we are retired). The traffic can sometimes be bad - maybe 1/2 hour near the bridges. However all in all it's bearable, and can be pleasant driving once you get off the main highways.
We always go on weekdays (we are retired). The traffic can sometimes be bad - maybe 1/2 hour near the bridges. However all in all it's bearable, and can be pleasant driving once you get off the main highways.
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