The Cape 2011

After deciding finally to purchase a camper, we thought it would be fun, for our maiden voyage, to take it to Cape Cod, where I spent 2 weeks camping, beaching, and biking many, many summers of my childhood. I was initially nervous to take it so far from home for our first trip, should something go wrong, or God forbid, we forgot something...;-) After all, I was best at being a kid there, never tried being the grown-up. But as it turned out, it was an unforgettable trip. It was so incredible to see these beautiful landmarks and places that i remember well, and to share them with my family, who instantly loved them as much as i did.

Amazing, too how vividly i remember the smells from there: the woodsy scent from the pine trees and needles and of course the salty air....



The trip took 8 hours plus stops, but thankfully we timed it right for traffic, and the kids were so excited that they were great the whole way...





First rest stop...


Nearly there!










When we arrived at the campground where I stayed as a kid, we were told that we were actually booked for a site in the campground around the corner, both of which were taken over by a new owner. I was disappointed initially, but as it turns out, ours was more kid-friendly, and we had no complaints...



Setting up camp for the first time!

Goofing around the campsite...After we were set up, we took the kids to Coast Guard Beach, (one of America's top 10 beaches!) right down the road, to catch a glimpse of the ocean at sunset...what a good move. I instantly felt 10 again. And the kids loved every minute...
Patrick and Josh immediately headed to the sandbar to throw in a line...
While Ben and Grace had a blast on the beach...


Some of my favorites....





Then we headed right back the next day!

I tried to be the "fun mom" and brave the 60 degree water!
and Gracie wanted to give it a go, so here we are making sure she doesn't get washed away...

My, he's getting tall! ;-)



I was somehow able to manage a couple good runs while we were there, and here are a couple pictures I got along the way.
Here is Hortons store, where we got penny candy as kids...

and the beautiful Highland/Cape Cod light, just down the road...


Dad took Josh on a fishing charter off of Provincetown-they had fun, but didn't catch anything-that time...(he wanted NO help picking out what to wear-lol-just wanted to get fishin'!;-)
and this was the storm that rolled in, just as I was picking them up from the pier...good timing!

Gracie loved the "cape cod playground". here are a few shots taken by Ben =)




In an effort to make sure the kids got to see as many of my favorite spots as possible, we made it a point to hit Corn Hill beach at low tide which = critter-catching heaven!















No luck fishing here either...

but he did find a dried-up crab pretty intact...




Boy did we eat WELL on this trip....
Ironically, Ben loved eating the lobster, and Josh wouldn't even try it. Go figure....


Making jiffy pop popcorn...... that exploded all over the stove....breakfast in the screen room...


ice cream every day...

s'mores!
And just had to let them try these!
Both boys were big helps with cooking. here is josh making breakfast. ;-)
We slept well too, in our new home away from home...



I would like to be able to say we bathed well, too, but that really wouldn't be all that true...Here is Gracie in her spa-camping-style...I'm pretty sure they did this to me as a kid, too.

And someone really mastered the potty while we were away-halleluiah!

We also got good exercise while we were there. They had these cool pedal cars to rent..."for SO cheap, Mommm"!




And got lots of use out of our bikes....

And look what i stumbled upon...this wasn't here last time i was!






And on our last full day, we packed alot in. We headed back to Coast Guard for high tide, and the waves were indescribable. They washed the boys feet right out from underneath them time after time, and they kept going back for more! Awesome.




Wayyy too far out!






Then, one last attempt at catching something, off the pier back in Provincetown...













finally-success! somewhat...he caught a squid! ewww. ;-) but I think he was satisfied...until next time, at least....
Grabbed a yummy (and totally overpriced) seafood dinner and headed back to the camper for our last nite....


The Pilgrim Monument-climbed it as a kid...On our list for next year!
Our last day-we toured the Cape Cod/Highland light. A big icon for the Cape in general and something i remember vividly from my childhood. They didn't allow people to tour the inside until the 90's, after it was moved back from the dangerously eroding cliffs...

It was amazing on the inside. Beautiful brick with an ornate metal spiral staircase that led all the way up to the light itself...





And look at the view from the top!


checking out the light...



I liked the view on the way back down, too...

They didn't allow Gracie to go up, with good reason-the stairs had huge gaps between each one...but she was a good girl-stayed right on the bench waiting for us while we took turns going up in pairs...And they gave her a coupon for a free tour, when she finally reaches the height requirement-cute! These few are some of my very favorites from the whole trip...nautical diva? ;p







And then, it was time to pack up and start the long voyage home. Ben was a fantastic help with the camper, reminding us to lock this, and secure that, etc....Here's the man himself, cranking the watchamacallits....lol-thank god for his expertise!
Farewell Cape Cod, until next year! ;-)