A secret’s worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept. ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind
The first time I visited Cape Cod, I was on a business trip and needed to get from meeting to meeting quickly. I traveled on Route 6 and saw very little of the magic that lingers just off the main road in either direction. Until recently, I did not understand the depth of beauty, whimsy, and history that makes Cape Cod so incredible.
- I love the way towns like Sandwich, Barnstable, and Brewster just pop from acres of green as if they didn’t know I was coming. They are perfect, historic towns without feeling too coiffed or manicured. There is a sense of humor peeking from under the graceful eaves of the proud homes.
- love the way cafes are hidden like treasures tucked in general stores and book shops sit in fabled buildings with porches full of gentle rocking chairs.
- I love the way neighbors offer kayaks and wood for beach fires after knowing us only for a moment.
- I love the intimate secrets unassuming fisherman share with my children. Not only do people tell us the best spots and times to fish but they share bait, lures, and fishing stories as we all wait for the tide to turn.
- I love the way stores selling ice cream and penny candy sometimes have a tire swing out back.
- I love how the new rain smells on a snaking trail through a verdant marsh
- I love the way people gather around the ruddy glow of a bonfire on the seashore to tell stories of a long winter.
- I love the fact that when people ask us where we are from, and where we are going, there is an authenticity that tells me they already know.
Here are some of our favorite spots from this trip …
Second View Thrift Store and Riverview Café:
This incredible school has a thrift shop and café that supports their mission. It is our favorite place on a rainy day to buy books and puzzles at the gift shop and then tuck into a corner booth with a hot sticky bun and a steaming cup of coffee.
Ice Cream Sandwich:
For ice cream with friends, it is hard to top Ice Cream Sandwich
Cape Cod Cottage
For a cottage by the bay that’s as cute as a button, this is our favorite place for its sandbars, incredible owners, and family-friendly accommodation. Contact us for cottage rental information.
Titcomb’s Bookshop:
Not such a secret anymore after being voted one of the 50 most unique bookstores in the world but we still find it easy to curl up in a quiet corner.
Provincetown Monument and National Seashore
If you want to touch down where the pilgrims first landed in 1620, we loved the rugged sweeping beaches on this part of Cape Cod.
Sandwich Boardwalk
For joyful noise, head to the Sandwich Boardwalk and take the plunge or just a leisurely stroll. Either will do!
Mostly, I love that the secrets were here all along. I believe the magic I feel at the Cape is just that, secrets that I have yet to unearth.
