Right Whales in Cape Cod Bay

Tourists and locals are flocking to Provincetown and the season hasn't even begun! The reason for this early interest in the beaches of Provincetown is the "rare spectacle" of more than 70 North Atlantic right whales or nearly 20 percent of the 375 right whales left in the world. These rare and almost extinct whales have been frolicking and feeding off Cape Cod Bay. They feed on the zooplankton that thrives in shallow waters. They spend a lot of time eating and can consume up to 4,000 pounds each day.

Right whales were overhunted and became almost extinct until the League of Nations outlawed right whale hunting in 1935. Scientists see the gathering in Cape Cod Bay as a sign that things are beginning to turn around for the right whale. Last year scientists estimated 70 to 100 whales were feeding in Cape Cod Bay.The best places to view the whales is between Race Point and Herring Cove beaches in Provincetown and occasionally bayside beaches in Truro and Wellfleet. To get more information on the right whales visit, www.boston.com. This rare spectacle is definitely worth a visit to the Cape. If you can't make it to the Cape now, you can see the whales in the summer and fall by going on a whale watch out of Provincetown. Call us at 508-775-6322 and the Tidewater can help you plan a Whale Watch Package.

Voula
Above info borrowed from Boston Globe.

Plimoth Plantation opens for the Season

Plymouth is only a half hour drive from the hotel and as I've mentioned in earlier blogs, it's a lovely town to visit. It's also a great place to stop on the way to the Cape or on the way home if you're taking Route 3. Today marks the seasonal opening of Plimoth Plantation. I've been several times many years ago as a parent and as a teacher with school children. It's a wonderful way to spend the day with the family and also a fun educational experience.

Plimoth Plantation is a recreation of a typical village during the time that the Pilgrims landed in Plimoth in the 1600's. It includes the Wampanoag Homesite with people in traditional Native dress tending the garden, cooking over an open fire and demonstrating ancient skills. It also includes a "1627 English Village" with costumed role players, speaking English dialects and portraying actual residents of colonial Plymouth. There's also Nye Barn, a farming community with cows, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry. Plimoth Plantation maintains one of the country's most important collections of rare and minor breed animals.

There's much more, so make a day trip to Plymouth "America's Hometown". We have special rates for the off season and we'd love to have you stay at the Tidewater.

Voula

Spring Has Arrived!

We've had several "teases" thinking that spring had arrived, but I think that it is now here, both officially and in reality! Today was a beautiful sunny day, although a bit cool. Tomorrow will be sunny and in the 50's. Spring has arrived! This is my favorite time of the year on the Cape. The traffic jams haven't started yet and it's the perfect time for walks on the beach, hikes, biking and exploring little towns.

We have a very lively group of young hockey players this weekend and are almost booked, but give us a call and we'd love to help plan a weekend escape to the Cape. Also, in these economic times, the Cape is a bargain in the spring.

Voula

Renovations

We've been busy this winter painting all our guest rooms and finally our new furniture has arrived. We've given away our old dated furniture and are replacing them with more contemporary looking furniture. The rooms are definitely much more cheerful. It's a slow tedious process but the results are definitely worth it.

Now it's time for the gardening...

Voula

Nantucket Daffodil Festival

Nantucket Daffodil Festival is one of my favorite Spring events on Cape. This year it falls on the weekend of April 21st. Being a gardner, I love to see the endless display of daffodils everywhere you turn. Makes me thing of Longfellow's poem that I had to memorize in school with daffodils "beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze". I think that daffodils are one of my favorite flowers for their color is so vibrant after a long, drab winter. I know that summer is just around the corner!

After a long hard winter on the island, the island is alive with color and daffodils. This display of vibrant color will brighten your day. The island sponsors events and activities all weekend which are free to the public. The highlight is the Antique and Classic Car Parade where cars and passengers are decked in daffodils. There is also a tailgate picnic and musical entertainment among other activities.

For more information visit the website for the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce at . Since this is usually a sell out weekend on the island and the rates are rather high, we'd love to have you stay at the Tidewater and enjoy our special rate of $69.99. The ferry to Nantucket is only 5 minutes away!

Voula

New Website!

The new website for the Tidewater is now live! We have taken advantage of the winter months to revamp our old website which was rather dated. Our new website is more user friendly and easier to navigate. It also has a feel of Cape Cod with the "sand" background, seashells, and water. We were also able to include more pictures, so guests can get a better feel for the hotel.

As part of the revamp, we able to include many more packages for our customers: golf, fishing, whale watch, jacuzzi package, girlfriend package, island day package and Cape Cod Central Railroad package. We will, of course, also develop and customize a package for our guests. Just ask! We've also added local attractions and restaurants to facilitate planning your Cape Cod vacation.

There's also a direct link to our blog from the website. Just click on the icon with the lighthouse that says "Blog" to see more pictures and find out what's happening on Cape. I am really excited about the feel of our website and hope that it will be easier for our guests to navigate and get information on the Cape. Feel free to give us suggestions.

Voula

More Theater on Cape Cod

As I mentioned in earlier blogs, two musicals, "Bye Bye Birdie" and "The Sound of Music", are both playing on Cape. In addition, this weekend is the last opportunity to see "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Cotuit Center of the Arts. In the words of the Center, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, is a whirlwind roller coaster tribute to the immortal bard. Three actors take on the daunting task of performing 37 plays and 154 sonnets in under two hours...Irreverent and hilarious, this comedy sensation delights audiences and critics alike with a refreshing blend of madcap humor.." Sounds like a great way to spend an evening.

The Cotuit Center of the Arts was founded to "supply the community with an array of programs that encourage artistic development, exploration, and experimentation and to increase awareness of the creative process by facilitating communication and interaction among artists and between artists and the public." Throughout the year, it offers performances, exhibitions, and educational opportunities. Quite an ambitious undertaking! In addition, Christine Duren, the Executive Director, told us at a Chamber meeting a few days ago that they are will also be hosting wedding receptions in their beautiful facility.

We are still offering our Manager's Special of $59.99 for one night or 2 nights for $99.99, so come to the Cape, enjoy the St. Patrick's Day parade, and top off the evening with this fun play.

Voula

St. Patrick's Day on Cape Cod

St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching and Cape Cod will be celebrating a bit early this year. The festivities will begin with the Third Annual Cape Cod St. Patrick's Day Dinner, Dance and Coronation. This will be at the Irish Village on Route 28 on Friday evening, March 6th. On the following day, Saturday, March 7th, there will be a parade which will commence on School Street in West Dennis and end at Forest Road on S. Yarmouth. The Grand Marshall will be former Boston Bruins Terry O'Reilly. For more information visit their website, www.capecodpatsparade.com.

The Tidewater will be offering our Manager's Special of $59.99 per night or $99.99 for two nights. Come and enjoy this early celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Voula

Winter's Back on Cape Cod

After an absolutely beautiful week on the Cape, even if a bit cold, it's back to wind, snow, and sleet. If feels as if winter is back in full force and doesn't want to give up. Daylight savings starts next weekend and spring is only a few weeks away, but you would't know it by looking out the window and listening to the wind. The positive thing about a storm this time of year is that the snow doesn't last very long. Being on Cape we did get less snow than Boston and the northshore: only about 3 to 4 inches. Maybe it will be gone by the end of the week...

Voula