By Jodi Baretz
After many summers on the Jersey Shore, I was ready for something new. I have never been to Cape Cod, and every year that I suggested we go, it was shot down by my husband due to the long drive. However, when I discovered a professional training seminar I wanted to attend was being held at the Cape Cod Institute, I got my chance. I grabbed a colleague, and off we went. We stayed in Eastham, which is near the Institute (really the local high school that they rent for the summer). This was a great place to stay because it is centrally located in between Provincetown to the north and Chatham to the south.
Since this was not a family vacation, we chose to stay at the economical, Eagle Wing Inn. When we pulled up, we realized that it was a motel on the busy Route 6. However, it was clean and the owner John couldn’t have been more welcoming and friendly. He told us that there were bikes that we could just grab to go on the bike path, a bonfire in the back, a gazebo to eat in, and hammocks for relaxing. There was a pool too. My friend Jen and I took advantage of all the amenities. After school (daily from 9-12), we often took out lunch from Box Lunch (great salads and wraps), spent some time moving from gazebo to hammock and just chilled on the premises while we digested. After which we tackled the bike path which goes up and down the length of the Cape. It was a beautiful ride once you crossed Route 6, which could take up to 10 minutes with all the traffic.
Cape Cod is flanked by the beach on one side and the bay on the other. The beaches were beautiful, but the ocean is colder than the bay side. The downside is you also have to lug your beach crap down a large dune, or stairs in some areas. We enjoyed the view and even spotted some seals in the ocean.
The food was good, and the seafood was plentiful. We ate lunch at Arnold’s for lobster rolls, (I had a good yummy salad), Fairway Restaurant, which had delicious gluten free pizza, and went to Wellfleet for dinner at Winslows Tavern, Pearl by the pier, and hit the Beachcomber one night. The Beachcomber is apparently a “must go”, and the logo can be seen all over Cape Cod. It reminded me of Dockers from the Hamptons, young people drinking by the beach with a raw bar and restaurant as well.
Halfway through the trip, our husbands came out and met us, and we ventured out to nearby towns. The highlight of the trip was Provincetown, a mecca for the LGBT community-great shops, restaurants and a beautiful harbor. It was so great to see the gay community come together and be free to express themselves comfortably. I imagine they likely feel like I did when I went to Israel as a Jew. Speaking of Judaism, in Provincetown, we ate at a place called Bubalas By the Bay, and we sat on the deck and people watched. It definitely was an eclectic crowd. Driving home through Truro, my husband questioned the name of the town and said it sounded like something Scooby Doo would say. We did not stop there, although I do believe there is a Spice Market and winery there and maybe some Scooby snacks. 🙂
All in all, it was a great trip and the weather was perfect, all while earning continuing education credits. I would return again in a second, but not sure my husband would be up for the drive a second time. Despite the fact, we did leave on Saturday morning at 7:30, and flew home with no traffic. The Cape is a low key place, with great food, and beautiful beaches. Too bad it is so far away (at least for my husband that is).
Jodi Baretz, LCSW, CHHC is a psychotherapist, mindfulness and holistic health coach at The Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco. Her new book, “Mindful is the New Skinny, 10 transformational steps to a lighter you inside and out” is available for purchase. Visit jodibaretz.com for more information. Follow her on Facebook @Mindful Is The New Skinny or join her Facebook Group Mindful Moms. You can also read more about Jodi’s travels in A Small Glitch In My Colorado Vacation and It’s All Greek To Me.
