Kayak Tours on Cape Cod

Explore the Centerville River and Scudder Bay by kayak, with coastal educator and American Canoe Association instructor Dick Hilmer of Explore Cape Cod Kayak Tours. Sponsored by the Hyannis Chamber of Commerce, this three-hour tour will take you down tidal rivers and into salt marsh habitats. Listen to the pitch of the many ospreys and watch their aerial show. No experience is necessary. All your equipment is provided including kayak, paddle, life jacket, dry bags, and a brief kayak instruction before heading out onto the river. Only six or seven kayaks per trip. Reserve now or more info here. Friday, June 4th from 10AM to 2PM. Call 508-240-1211 for more information.

Cape Cod Central Railroad is opening!

If you love trains, travel back in time with the Cape Cod Central Railroad as you enjoy some of the Cape's unspoiled and hidden beauty, accessible only by the train.  The scenic train takes you on a 50 mile ride through sand dunes, cranberry bogs, salt marshes, and the Cape Cod Canal. There's many ways to enjoy the train:The Scenic Fun Train, the Family Supper Train, the Sunday Brunch Train and the Elegant Dinner Train. I've heard from customer's that the food is first class on the Dinner Train.

On Saturday, June 5th, the Cape Cod Central Railroad with hold a specail fundraiser: China Adoption With Love (CAWLI) Fundraiser Train. Come with your family, friends, travel groups, and other families with children from China, and make some new friends! Have a great time while helping raise money for an orphanage in dire need. 100% of proceeds will go to the Qingxin Orphanage in Guangdong Province China through CAWLI's Rainbow Fund.
Our train excursion will include face painting, magic shows, raffles, and music, so it will be a great time for all!







 Call 508-771-3800, ext 291 or visit http://www.capetrain.com/ for more information. Sunday Brunch trains begins on May 23, and the Narrated Scenic Fun Trains begin service Memorial Day Weekend.

Our swans had babies!

Two beautiful swans live across the street from the Tidewater in Mill Pond. Many people stop along the road to see them.  Every spring we watch the mother sit on her nest for what appears to be months, waiting for her eggs to hatch. This year the proud parents had eight babies and a few weeks later they are all alive and doing well. I've tried several times to take pictures, but whenever I bring my camera they're far away and when I don't have a camera, they come close! Today, one of my young friends was able to take some pictures for me and the male hissed at her not to get too close to the well protected cygnets. Here's the pictures of the little beauties.

Cape Cod Restaurant Week 2010

This a great week to be on Cape Cod. From May 17th to the 23rd, Cape Cod gives everyone the opportunity to dine at some of the finest restaurants at a very affordable price. It features some of the Cape's finest dining destinations, 3-course meals for the prix fixed price of $25 or $35 per person. Some of the restaurants: Chatham Bars Inn, Vining's Bistro, Osteria la Civetta, Scargo Cafe, Cape Sea Grille, Crown & Anchor, The Belfry Inn, The Regatta of Cotuit, Old Yarmouth Inn, The Roadhouse Cafe, l'Alouette, Brewster Fish house, Chillingsworth, Trevi Cafe & Wine Bar...any many more!

For more informationand participating restaurants visit http://www.capecodwineanddine.com/.

Kayaking on Cape Cod

As I mentioned earlier, Cape Cod celebrates its heritage with during the month of May with Cape Cod Maritime Days. Did you know that Maritime Days was listed as one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the National Bus Association. Not bad for little Cape Cod...

Kayaking is one of the many fun events planned for the month: Explore the maritime past by paddling Cape Cod’s storied coastal waterways with local science teacher and longtime kayak guide, Dick Hilmer. Kayak instruction is included during these natural history tours. Paddle through sheltered creeks, into bays and marshes, and towards islands rich in cultural history. No experience is necessary. Perfect for novice or experienced paddlers. All equipment is provided including kayak, paddle, lifejacket and instruction – just bring a smile and a bottle of water, and $30 per person. Information: Due to space limitations, reservations are required. Please call 508-240-1211 or email dhilmer@explorecapecod.com.

For more information on Maritime Days visit their website, http://www.capecodmaritimedays.com/. It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend and the Sagamore construction has ended...no traffic backups and no excuse not to visit the Cape.  The Tidewater is offering it's Manager's Special price for the weekend of $69. Call us at 508-775-6322.

Provincetown's Restaurant Week

Provincetown's second annual Provincetown Restaurant Week and Gallery Stroll will be held May 21 - 27. With 27 participating restaurants, this spring's event invites visitors to enjoy a taste of the Outer Cape with three-course prix-fixe menus ranging from $25 to $35. Provincetown has many wonderful restaurants with creative cuisine and this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy sampling the cuisine at bargain prices. At the special Saturday Gallery Stroll, scheduled for May 22, the town's galleries, museums and shops will extend their hours into late evening and offer special receptions with local artists. The Town-Wide Monumental Yard Sale, Provincetown Farmer's Market, as well as the opening of a new Edward Hopper exhibition at the Provincetown Art and Association Museum (PAAM) will also be held this same weekend.Visit http://www.provincetowntourismoffice.org/ for more information and a list of participating restaurants.

29th Annual Cape Cod Herb Festival

If you're a gardener you'll love the 29th Annual Herb Festival which will be held May 14-16 at the Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen, East Sandwich. This popular Cape Cod event features an extensive plant sale (herbs, perennials, wildflowers, everlastings and annuals), exhibits and lectures on the many uses of herbs, crafters and wildflower garden walks. The highlight is an herb luncheon which is served on Friday. Paid reservations are required for the luncheon. All proceeds benefit the environmental education programs of the Thornton W. Burgess Society. Admission to the festival is free. For further information, call 508-888-6870 or visit http://www.thorntonburgess.org/.

The "Shanties" are opening on Cape Cod

Hyannis Harbor is a picturesque harbor with lots of activity from fishing boats, ferries to the islands, harbor cruises (Hy-Line), restaurants and snack bars. There are also seven artists' shanties that will be opening for the season on May 22nd. These shanties house a variety art including photography, painting, handmade jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, stained glass, mosaics, scrimshaw, mariner knot work, rock jewelry and much more created by local artists and artisans. Definitely worth a visit. For more information visit their website: http://www.harboryourarts.com

While on the harbor, do try lunch or dinner at Spanky's which is already open for the season. Very fresh seafood, reasonable prices, and great margaritas!
Voula

Barnstable Village History

If you enjoy Cape Cod history, this is an interesting and informative article fromWashington Post about a travel writer's trip to Barnstable Village. History's haven: A week in a 19th-century house in Cape Cod's Barnstable, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041505442.html?wpisrc=nl_travel%20%

Whale Watching With Kids - Intelligent Travel Blog

Cape Cod is the perfect place for Whale Watching. The Dolphin Fleet from Provincetown is already operating and it's been a banner year for whales so far. If you visit the Cape, make sure to take the time to go Whale Watching. The following article from National Geographic is good reading.
Whale Watching With Kids - Intelligent Travel Blog