Cape Cod

On June 16th, Tyler took Step 1 (a licensing test, required to pass to continue his schooling & the score is a large determining factor as he applies to residencies during his 4th year – so kind of important!). He worked very hard preparing and was very happy to finally be done. We are so proud of his efforts and everything he is working towards!

After 5 LONG weeks of studying we got to take a fun vacation together. My friend Amy from Law School has a home in Eastham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. Amy graciously invited us to come up and spend time with her at her house.

Above is a map that shows all of the cities that we visited during the week (for reference as I bore you with our travels).

While we were there we did many fun things:

When we arrived Friday night, Amy treated us to fish & chips at a restaurant in Orleans. Delicious!

Amy’s House

Saturday was Tyler’s birthday. We started the morning off by breakfast at a wonderful bakery and then headed to the Eastham Hands-On Family Arts Festival.

The festival was held on the grounds of the Old Eastham Windmill which was build by Thomas Paine in Plymouth in 1680 and then moved to Eastham in 1793. It is the oldest working windmill on Cape Cod.

We then headed to Wellfleet to walk around. Tyler enjoyed some fresh local clams.

It was so beautiful and pretty much exactly what I pictured Cape Cod would look like.

We finished off the afternoon by going to a beach on the Cape Cod National Seashore.

(Yes, if you look closely, I am sticking out my tongue…whoops!)

Cade escaping

Captured by Dad

Attacking Dad

That night Tyler, Amy & I each picked a dessert from a local bakery. Tyler’s birthday cake was lemon coconut cream cake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

On Sunday, we went to church in the morning and then met Amy and she took us on a tour of Chatham. We definitely saw some of the stereotypical affluence of Cape Cod. Chatham was a quaint little town and we saw some amazing houses as we drove along the coast. The weather started looking ominous, but we stopped for a quick view of the beach near a light house. We made it home in time to see the Brasil World Cup game.

It was a little windy.

On Monday we headed to Provincetown. History tidbit: Provincetown was the site of the first landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims. There was a monument and museum, but we weren’t interested in paying to see it. When you see the pictures of the beach below, you will understand why.

This was taken at Race Point Beach right on the tip of the Cape. Tyler & I think it looks like a screensaver and we pretty much could have sat there all day – it was so peaceful and beautiful.

Cade enamored by a helicopter

Next we explored Provincetown, formerly a whaling port, now it is an eclectic, artsy town. It was definitely an “interesting” town.

Between the shops you could catch nice shots of the beach. One of the more unique shops was an Asian themed store with a peaceful garden. Here is Cade with a random statue: Cade trying to ruin the tranquility of the fish pond.

Favorite T-shirt of the day!

Cade enjoying some ice cream – one of his favorites. Every time you say “ice cream,” Cade replies, “Mmmmmm.” Smart boy.

On the way back from Provincetown, we stopped in Truro. You can get a great view of Provincetown from the beach there. The tower in the picture below is the Pilgrim Monument.

Cade enjoyed the beach.

“Skipping” rocks with Dad

Tuesday, our last day, we spent several very relaxing hours playing at the Coast Guard Beach in Eastham (part of the National Seashore).

The water was much colder than the ocean water we are used to in Virginia Beach, so Cade wasn’t a huge fan of the waves.

He did, however, love playing in the sand! And throwing rocks! After we had been there for a while, the tide went out leaving an “ocean kiddie pool” and Cade was in heaven!

Beware of the jellyfish!

Did I mention Cade was in heaven?

After all of that playing Cade needed to relax.

Lounging with Daddy. (This is what happens to Mom’s seat when she abandons her chair for a minute to get something out of the cooler!)

On Tuesday night we ate at Arnold’s Lobster & Clam bar. Tyler enjoyed a variety of clams and Amy and I had a delicious lobster roll.

It was a wonderful trip! We had a great time as a family and loved spending time with Amy and her dog Jordan.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Amy for the wonderful hospitality and company while we were in Cape Cod.