logo

Seeking Wide Open Spaces on Cape Cod during the Pandemic Summer of 2020

September 24, 2020

by M.A. Barrett

A beach just north of Campground Beach, North Eastham, Cape Cod

A beach just north of Campground Beach, North Eastham, Cape Cod

I love the beach. I grew up near the beach, and it has always been a source of happiness and tranquility for me. So this past summer when the Coronavirus Pandemic curbed our summer vacation plans to something close by and something as safe as possible, we set out for Cape Cod. The Cape is big, beautiful and varied, with its large expanses of bay, ocean and sound beaches. Here are some pictures from the places where we sought refuge this past summer.

Low tide at this same beach a little north of Campground Beach, North Eastham, Cape Cod

Low tide at this same beach (pictured above) north of Campground Beach, North Eastham, Cape Cod

Sunset views at high tide in North Eastham on Cape Cod Bay, north of Campground Beach

Sunset views at high tide in North Eastham on Cape Cod Bay, north of Campground Beach, August 2020

From our house rental in North Eastham, we could walk to a small beach which was covered during high tide but was great during the rest of the time. On the Cape Cod Bay side of the Cape the tide goes out leaving about a half mile of sandy flats you can walk out on. With water up to your ankles during low tide it can take a while to get deep enough to swim. Small boats are marooned in the sand during low tide and hermit crabs can be seen scampering along. Occasionally a SUP boarder took advantage of the calm waters. Again I enjoyed the wide open spaces. Sunsets over the water can be viewed here because this coastline is on the inner part of the "arm" (the cape is shaped like a bended arm) and you are facing west when on this shoreline. Long walks on the beach were my prescription for quarantine blues.

Hatch Beach view of marshes south of First Encounter Beach in Eastham, Cape Cod
Hatch Beach, south of First Encounter Beach, Eastham, Cape Cod

Left: Hatch Beach view of marshes south of First Encounter Beach in Eastham, August 2020
Right: Hatch Beach, south of First Encounter Beach, Eastham, Cape Cod, August 2020

Next to one of our favorite Cape Cod Bay beaches, First Encounter is a less used beach called Hatch Beach. Here the social distancing was not hard. Follow a road to the left after entering and paying the fee at the First Encounter parking lot. There is more parking at the end of the road. Marsh grass views and dunes greet you as you haul out your beach gear and head to the small but lengthy beach. This is a peaceful spot with tidal rhythms like First Encounter Beach and patches of tall green grass in the water. I had a good day, taking dips to stay cool, as it was definitely a beach day with temperatures in the 90's.

Two seals' heads peeking out above the surf at dusk, Nauset Town Beach, Orleans, Cape Cod
Shark warning sign and first aid kit, Nauset Town Beach, Orleans, Cape Cod

Left: Two seals' heads peeking out above the surf at dusk, Nauset Town Beach, Orleans
Right: Shark warning sign and first aid kit, Nauset Town Beach, Orleans, Cape Cod, August 2020

Since the sharks returned in greater numbers to the eastern shore of Cape Cod, and sometimes north of Wellfleet in the bay, I have not swam at the National Seashore ocean beaches or any of the ocean side beaches. But I have enjoyed going with my binoculars right around dusk to look for seals, and walk along these amazing beaches. I've seen them at Cahoon Hollow Beach in the past and my family thinks I'm crazy to think I'll see the seals but I always do. The summer night we went to Nauset Beach was no exception to this yearly ritual and we saw several groups of seals swimming by us at this breathtaking Orleans town beach.

Looking south at dusk on Nauset Town Beach, Orleans, Cape Cod

Looking south at dusk on Nauset Town Beach, Orleans, Cape Cod, August 2020

Looking north at dusk on Nauset Town Beach, Orleans, Cape Cod

Looking north at dusk on Nauset Town Beach, Orleans, Cape Cod, August 2020

With lots of parking this beach is a great place to walk, fish, relax and sunbathe. There was a large sign warning about the sharks, and a notice that one was seen earlier that day. Yikes! But as for views of ocean waves and miles of sand, this beach is a beauty.

Rock Harbor sunset at low tide in Orleans on Cape Cod

Rock Harbor sunset at low tide in Orleans on Cape Cod, August 2020

Above is my picture of Rock Harbor. This is where the nightly ritual of sunset watching happens on the Lower Cape, the "elbow" of Cape Cod. Here you can see the sun setting in the western sky over the water. Tall skinny trees known as "clam trees" are situated in the water. These trees with reflective signs are installed annually to mark a path for boats entering and leaving the harbor. They were nicknamed "clam trees" because it is said that in the 1970's people planted quohog seeds (tiny quohogs) around the trees and then when those clams grew to legal size later in the season they would dig by the trees to get a good catch of quohogs. The trees add to the picturesque scene, and you can walk among them at low tide. Musicians frequent the entrance to the beach, busking and providing happy music as visitors and locals meander out on the flats waiting for the big event. When the sky is clear as it was this night, the big sky and bay views were incredible. It gave me the feeling of freedom I was seeking. That hemmed in feeling went away as I walked on the mud flats out to sea.

Bird Watchers General Store, Orleans, Cape Cod
The Local Scoop, next door to Bird Watchers General Store, Orleans, Cape Cod

Left: Bird Watchers General Store, Orleans, Cape Cod, August 2020
Right: The Local Scoop, next door to Bird Watchers General Store, Orleans, August 2020

Unfortunately I did not visit the wonderful little shops on the cape, but I did get to browse at the Bird Watcher's General Store. They put their inventory in front of the shop, not allowing inside visitors. Displayed outside were birdhouses, chimes, dresses, stationery, puzzles and lots more, all with the birding theme. And next door is The Local Scoop which serves homemade ice cream plus frozen yogurt. They also have Cape Cod Pops, popsicles on a sticks made from their ice cream, frozen yogurt or fresh fruit. Two other nearby Orleans ice cream shops are Emack & Bolio's and Smitty's Homemade Ice Cream, sometimes with long lines but it's worth the wait.

Wellfleet Harbor view from the Wellfleet Town Pier, Cape Cod

Wellfleet Harbor view from the Wellfleet Town Pier, Cape Cod

Wellfleet Harbor has pretty ocean and marina views. Also Mac's On the Pier has a take out window and you can call in your order to minimize waiting time, especially if there is a crowd. There are outdoor picnic tables where you can eat your chowder, fried seafood and ice cream. Also, there is a small beach to walk around on. We just ate in our car since there is a big parking area and you can face the harbor or marina while enjoying Mac's fresh seafood.

After my Cape vacation, I felt much better and more able to face what the fall and winter will bring. I am looking forward to next summer when I hope to visit the shops as well as the beaches, with my camera and binoculars in hand.

 

Scenic Shopping Towns out on Cape Cod near these beaches are Chatham and Wellfleet.