Vacation in Cape Cod

Since I was going up to Massachusetts to visit with my Dad and brothers, I planned a few extra days for some photography on the Cape. I used an e-book from Cape Cod photographer, Betty Wiley as my guide for locations. I stayed in two different locations in order to see as much as possible and have more choices for sunset and sunrises. However, cloudy conditions prevailed along with some rain. Late in the afternoons were a little sunnier and early morning was not the best. I covered a lot of territory and liked the upper cape the best.

Day One:
My journey started in Woods Hole and Falmouth since it was near my first nights stay in Bourne. First stop was for lunch at a seafood restaurant, The Lobster Trap. I walked around Woods Hole for awhile then headed over to Nobska Light in Falmouth.

Nobska Lighthouse

After checking into the hotel, I drove over to Sandwich to find the Sandwich boardwalk. With cloudy conditions I knew sunset wouldn't be an option so I walked out to the beach to get some long exposures of the water and rocks.

Sandwich Boardwalk

Day Two:
Getting an early start I headed back to the Sandwich boardwalk but clouds made sunrise impossible. I met a local woman who wanted me to take her picture. The local Cape Codders are friendly people. Historic route 6A winds along the northern side of the cape.I stopped in Barnstable at Nirvana Coffee and then onto Paines Creek. Even though there were no boats moored out in the creek, I did see a couple of kayakers. Next stop was Grey's Beach in Yarmouth Port, where there is a wooden boardwalk and marsh. This spot is best at high tide but I had to take what nature provided on that day. The sky started to clear as I walked back to the car.

Grey's Beach, Yarmouth Port

Chatham was the next stop in the late morning. The Chatham Coast Guard Station has an impressive building that attracts the tourists. Close by is the Monomoy Wildlife Refuge. The hiking trails border the beach but were unhikable due to high tides. There was a bird feeder close by that brought in all sorts of species including some that I haven't seen in Florida. I went out to a place close to where I was staying for sunset called Rock Harbor. I met a man on the beach who recommended Fort Hill for sunrise. That seemed to be a good option since it was only two miles from the hotel.

Day Three

Sunrise from Fort Hill, Eastham

Most of the lighthouses on the Cape have been relocated due to beach erosion. The coast erodes two to three feet per year.

Nauset Light, Eastham

Highland Light

The original lighthouse was built in 1797 which was the first lighthouse on Cape Cod. It was rebuilt in 1853 but had to be replaced entirely four years later after the land beneath it crumbled into the ocean.