Category Archives: Cape Cod News

Cape Cod Beaches, Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography

Coast Guard Beach And Nauset Light Beach On Cape Cod Are Temporarily Closed.

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After seeing all of the erosion at Nauset Beach two days ago, I thought I’d take a walk on Coast Guard Beach to see what it looked like. I was so surprised to see that beach access was closed.  (Click on blog link for more photos.)

You can see how high the sand is by the height of the handrail on the left side in the 2nd photograph. I wonder if there is a dangerous drop-off at the end of this new path and that is why its closed.

I thought maybe I could see what the beach looked like by walking down from Nauset Light Beach. But, that beach was closed too. Hmmmm…

You could see all of the damage in the parking lot at Nauset Light: the metals fences had all blown down, the porta-potty was blown over, the trailer looked askew… It was just a mess. The winds must have been treacherous there during last weekend’s storm storm.

I called the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center to see if they knew why the beaches were closed. They said that the rangers were assessing the situation at the beaches. I guess I’ll have to try again in  couple of days. I sure hope that the new path to Coast Guard Beach is not in jeopardy. Does anyone else know any other information?

Note:  I heard this afternoon  (2/4) that Coast Guard Beach is now open.

Cape Cod Beaches, Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography

Dredging At Rock Harbor On Cape Cod.

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It must be that time of the year when they start dredging the harbors, getting ready for all of the boat traffic this spring and summer. We saw them at Wellfleet Harbor a couple of weeks ago and now they are at Rock Harbor. (Click on blog link for other photo.)

It was incredible how they dredge a harbor and painstakingly slow. With one backhoe on the dredger boat , they would scoop up a huge load, drain the excess water and then empty it into a barge between the boat and the dock. Another backhoe on the dock would scoop the sand out of the barge container and into a waiting truck. When that truck was full, it would deliver it to wherever it was designated to go and another truck would takes its place at the dock.

I sent a photo to Phil while I was watching and said, “One scoop at a time! Wow!” It will be very interesting to see how long the whole process takes. Quite amazing and so necessary as the sands wash in year after year making it too shallow to maneuver with a boat without dredging the channel.

Cape Cod Beaches, Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography

The Flower Cottages In Truro On Cape Cod!

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I’ve always wanted a photograph of these iconic “Flower Cottages” on Route 6A on the way into Provincetown, but there were always cars and people about. Finally, the other day I got my photograph.

Here is a bit of history of these cottages that I found online:

“Known by some as the flower cottages, the Days’ Cottages in Truro are truly part of an iconic Cape community. A staple in the area since the early 1930s, the cottages offer perhaps some of the best and most immediate access to the sand and water.

Identical from the outside, the 22 cottages are right on the beach between North Truro and Provincetown. Standing all in a row, the cottages have no doubt been the subjects of countless photographs over the years, and they have quite a story to tell.

The Days’ Cottages are all painted white with green shutters, but they’re individually recognized by their names. The original owners named each after its own flower, giving some individualized identity to the Truro beach cottages.

After all, it’s hard to distinguish the cottages from each other from the outside and local laws keep them from ever being altered. They sit right on the beach, though, offering up a front row seat to the sand and water three seasons a year.

Once privately owned by the Days family and rented out during the summer season, the condos have more recently been sold off to individuals, including some families with a long history of vacationing in the area for generations. Those same vacationers who grew up spending the summer season in the cottages, now bring their own family members, as more and more generations come to discover the splendid location right on the sand and water.

While the cottages have been updated with more modern additions, including new furnaces, appliances, roofs and windows, they remain a tribute to Truro’s past. The Days’ Cottages cozy floor plans may be smaller than some apartments and condos, yet they offer decades-old charm and style that would be difficult to replicate today and remains truly appreciated by countless visitors to Cape Cod.”

Have you ever driven by these iconic 22 cottages? I wonder how many photographs have been taken of these treasures…

Please Note : I received a Comment from Days Cottages with one correction:

Thanks Mel, Nice blog post! It’s nice to be appreciated.
One correction: local laws don’t keep them from being altered, however Days Cottages Condominium documents establish strict parameters for cottage exteriors.
Their historical status, acknowledged by the town, will prevent the cottages from ever being demolished.

Thank you for your Comment, Days Cottages!

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography

Botanica: A Unique Gift Shop And Art Gallery In Provincetown On Cape Cod.

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If you’ve never been to Botanica, make sure you put it on your list to visit in Provincetown. Botanica is Provincetown’s unique gift shoppe and art gallery with goods for the home and garden. (Click on blog link for many other photos.)

It has been voted the best gift shop on the Outer Cape for seven years in a row by Cape Cod Life Magazine and you can see why when you enter the shop and meet the two owners, Bob and Mark. They make you feel right at home as soon as you walk through the door.

“Botanica has a wide selection of gifts for the home, including vintage items, cards, coasters, mugs with gift boxes and other table-top items by PaperProducts Design, napkins, indoor and outdoor containers for plants, vases, tea light holders, garden accessories, including cast stone garden ornaments from Campania International, indoor furnishings, original art, including oil and acrylic paintings, reproduction art, a large selection of air plants (tillandsias), aeriums, globes and containers.” Botanica carries a large selection of my Outdoor Eyes Cape Cod Photo Note Cards.

“Botanica features the soaps and fragrances of Inis of Ireland, Pre de Provence, Kala sea salt soap and local company Mangiacotti, which gives back to the community. Botanica has the largest selection of Motawi Tiles on Cape Cod.”

Botanica is a year-round business that ships to customers all year long. It is open seven days per week April through October with shorter hours in winter months, mostly on weekends. This time of year, call in advance for their winter hours.