Photo of the Day - Hatfull of Potatoes

Who knew that this would be such a big weekend on the Outer Cape? In Eastham we have the Turnip Fest and (tomorrow) the Annual Duck Races. In Orleans we have "Hatfull of Potatoes" day at the Bird Watchers General Store. This is an annual fun event that they put on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. I went today as a lark, and came home with a hat full of potatoes. A BIG hatfull. Apparently funny hats are required (see mine, far right).

Sharks In Cape Cod Bay - Oh My!

Sharks are a part of summer on Cape Cod. They seem to follow the seals as they move about. This year we've seen seals in the bay. So, we have sharks here also. Check out this video, shown on NECN earlier today, taken by a local fisherman late last week. Oh My!

Is It Eastham? Or Orleans??

What may be shaping up as a border dispute will be interesting no matter how it turns out. As beaches erode and re-form, the spit of sand that we know as Nauset Beach is growing toward the north, into what some feel is Eastham. Others, however, feel the new beach belongs to Orleans, because that's where it 'grew' from. At stake is resident status for Eastham taxpayers when it comes to the ORV (off road vehicles) permits.  And, a new revenue stream for the Town of Eastham.

This story has been evolving over the last 30 years, but has only recently become interesting.  Read the story from the Cape Code Times... Here.

More Seals Equals More Sharks - Surprise!

Way back when - there was bounties on seals. The bounties are gone, they ended in 1962. The Marine Mammal Protection Act, entered into law in 1972 included seals even though they were not endangered. That was 38 years ago (check my math here).  Since then we've had a fairly steady increase in the number of seals.

Seals eat a lot of fish. And, they hang out together in large bunches.  Currently they hang out on Monomoy Island, Chatham's outer beaches, the Nauset inlet near Orleans' Nauset Beach, and up in Truro, near the P-Town line. Not surprisingly, these locations are where great white sharks have been spotted. I've simplified the situation, but you can read the whole article on the Cape Codder's website.... Here.

Big July 4th Weekend Ahead!

This coming weekend, anchored by the 4th of July, on Sunday, is a big weekend on the Outer Cape. Check out these activities...

Orleans -

• Friday - July 2nd - Fireworks at Rock Harbor (rain date July 5th). These fireworks will be easily viewable from Skaket Beach and First Encounter Beach (Eastham)
• Saturday - Parade - 10 AM - from Eldredge Parkway to Main Street

Wellfleet -

• A complete weekend of fabulous activities - antique car parade, 5-mile run, dancing on the pier, and a 'regular' parade through town.  Check out their weekend on the Wellfleet town website....Here.

Provincetown -

• Sunday - July 4th - Parade at 11 AM on Commercial St
• Sunday - Fireworks at dusk

Photo of the Day - Colorful Neighborhood

I took this photo a few days ago on Rock Harbor Rd, between Orleans and Rock Harbor. They are each one bedroom, no bath. No Title V septic. Cute.

New York Times - Hot Chocolate Sparrow Article

The Hot Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans has been a favorite haunt of my friends and clients for many years. The "Sparrow" is a coffeshop/candy store in Orleans, across the street from the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path. When my clients want to look at homes in Orleans or Brewster, I try to meet them at the Hot Chocolate Sparrow in lieu of meeting at my office in Eastham.

Well, the New York Times ran an article about the Sparrow this weekend that's a must-read. The coffee, hot chocolate, free internet, cafe tables, chocolate candies, and general friendly atmosphere make the Sparrow a natural success. Read the article ... Here. Also, the Sparrow has its own website... Here.

The Eastham Rotary - What's Inside?

We drive around and around and around (you get the idea) the rotary that sits between Orleans and Eastham, but never give it a good look and certainly have no clue what lies at its center. Well the Cape Cod Times sent a film crew (a small one, anyway) into the rotary to reveal its deep secrets. Watch the video...

Great White Sharks in Chatham

The ocean beaches in Chatham & Orleans were closed today due to the sighting of sharks off the beach. Sharks love seals, and wherever seals congregate, sharks will eventually be close by. Today there were sightings of sharks, at least 3 Great White sharks, off Chatham's Lighthouse Beach and Nauset Beach in Orleans, necessitating the beach closures. In fact, two of the sharks were tagged by a state marine biologist, which will allow them to track the movement of these sharks. Go to the article in the Cape Cod Online to read more about these sightings. Also, check out the following video, also shot by the Cape Cod Times Online...

Inner, Outer, Upper, Lower - Help!

How come the Lower Cape seems to be above the Upper Cape? What's the difference between the Outer Cape and the Lower Cape? Why does Route 28N go due south in Orleans? Is it "east-um" or East-HAM? The answers are a combination of Cape-speak and some twisted history. Check out this cute story from last Sunday's Cape Cod Times. Is it all clear yet?