If you’re fond of sand dunes…

…and salty air, quaint little villages here and there

(If I had a dollar for every time I sang that song…)

Well it should come as no surprise that yesterday’s beauty was pretty much unbelievable. We went almost all the way up the Cape Cod Peninsula to Cape Cod National Seashore to see the bluest, calmest Atlantic I’ve seen in many a year. I could have stood there all day. If you’ve never been to the ocean, it’s hard to describe it. The smell, the breeze, the calming sound of the waves…it’s a truly special place for peace. It was a perfect day.

We’d planned the drive from the Cape to Danvers (extreme northern suburb of Boston) to take a huge loop around the city so as to avoid it — like anyone with a brain. But, um…wrong turn at Albuquerque. We came up over a rise and saw it looming:

Fortunately, everyone with a brain was leaving for the holiday (as the picture illustrates), and the drive was actually quite fun. Never on a regular day would I be caught dead in a car in the heart of downtown Boston, but it was fine. We even drove through the famous Ted Williams Tunnel, part of Boston’s famous (and infamous) Big Dig project.

So we got to the hotel, checked in, and took off for an evening stroll through historic Salem. We got there at around 8 p.m., so unfortunately, all the exhibits were closed, and my photos ended up looking like this. Today, we’re trying to work out the timing on another visit to Salem before taking off for the Lexington & Concord battlefields — all while dodging the raindrops in the forecast. Salem is having a huge festival night for the 4th, and we’d like to go back if we can possibly find a parking space.  And there is no earthly way we’re braving the insanity to try to get into Boston.

We’ll see. If we walk the day away at Minute Man National Park, we might just come back and put our feet up. No worries — hey, we’re on vacation. :-)

Happy 4th, fiends — enjoy the holiday!

 

7 thoughts on “If you’re fond of sand dunes…

  1. Will

    Happy 4th of July. I was wondering where you and the Mr. were going to take in Fireworks at. I’d make a joke about fireworks at the stake but I kinda just did.

    Reply
  2. Tom Hanks

    That picture of the ocean looks amazing. I want to be there! Probably not in it…(I don’t like sharks) but I’d like to sit by it and sip on a drank. I just bought a series of short stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne, who I believe is from Salem. I wonder if they had some stuff on that guy there. Too bad the shops and tours were closed down…you could have bought some “silent-student-potion” or something useful like that.

    Its cool you are in this part of the country during this time of year…Bahston and those battlefields next. I’m thinking of watching some “John Adams” (produced by Tom Hanks) to celebrate the occasion tonight.

    Reply
    1. Rat Fink Post author

      That is precisely why I won’t swim in the ocean anymore. Call me crazy, but I know there are sharks in 4 feet of water — I’ve caught one before! I definitely don’t want to be lunched upon by one.

      And yes, Hawthorne was from Salem! I plan to write tomorrow’s blog post about that very thing. (House of Seven Gables.)

      I have seen the John Adams series (with Paul Giamatti, right?) and loved it. I never did get a chance to watch Gettysburg before I left — that’s on the list for when I get home.

      Reply
      1. Tom Hanks

        Why chance it…especially since Jaws was set in a northeast atlantic coast location.

        On John Adams…that is the one I’m talking about…and agreed on how good it is. Just ordered a small pizza…might get a drank to drink and then I think I’ll settle in for a John Adams marathon! We just a really cool lighting storm here…reminds me of the scene when they were signing the declaration.

        Reply
  3. BoomR

    I saw that headline & **IMMEDIATELY** heard your beautiful voice swang-in the heck outta that song, missy! :D

    And you should have emailed/texted Bluvox for some driving tips in/around Boston – that’s where he lived for 30 years. Really enjoying all the pics & info. It’s so great to stay connected like this, ya know??

    xoxox
    Continued safe travels!
    B

    Reply
    1. Rat Fink Post author

      Hey, thanks doll! <3 I do love that song, actually! It was one of the first ones I ever sang on a gig.

      I’d forgotten that BV is from BT! I would have been lost for his help had it not been the night before the 4th of July. It was a ghost town…crazy.

      I’m glad you’re enjoying the photos. I’m no photographer, but it’s been fun! XOXO

      Reply

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