Like Ithaca, there is an affordable housing crisis on Cape Cod. Instead of students in Ithaca, the price of vacation homes drives the housing market beyond the reach of many who live and work year-round on the Cape.

Today I met with Andrea Aldana, Director of Housing Advocacy for the Community Development Partnership of the Lower cape.

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Continue reading “Cape Cod Housing Crisis” →

Sometimes simple pleasures are the best:

Good friends

Fresh caught home-cooked lobster

Floating in and out on the tidal river

A good book!

Salt water heals all things

We took a walk in the salt marsh by Lieutenant Island near Wellfleet. The tide was low, leaving pools where we could see hundreds of the Fiddler Crabs coming out of their little holes in the salt marsh. They are very sensitive to sound and vibration and ran away when we approached. Why do they march in a line?

We did a little research and found out that you can easily identify males and females by their claws. Males have a greatly enlarged claw, while females do not. These large claws are used in contests for breeding burrows and to attract females. When a mating claw is lost, it is replaced with a small, feeding claw while the remaining claw expands into a new mating claw.

Originally published August, 2018

We are in Wellfleet today where the oysters are world famous. We decided to learn more about the Oyster farmers- commercial oysters are planted rather than hunted. There are about 80 three-acre “grants” or oyster beds leased from the town of Wellfleet. The grants are a centuries-old Wellfleet custom and right now about 250 people of the 3,000 people who reside in Wellfleet year round are making their income off these beds. The beds are only accessible for a few hours at low tide.  One of the best “oystermen” in Wellfleet is actually a woman named Barbara Austin. She is a Wellfleet legend and  a long time champion of the Annual Wellfleet Shucking Competition. Click here if you want to learn more about the oyster lady of Wellfleet.

Our home away from home overlooking the tidal Pamet River as it opens out towards Cape Cod Bay. Built in the 1920’s, Westoe is one of eight Sladeville Cottages, which are all part of the historic registry. We like it because it is simple and rustic with its historic charm.

Thanks for joining us on our travel adventures!  This week we are in Truro, on Cape Cod  in Massachusetts. Yesterday, a dead Great White Shark washed up in the harbor in front of our cottage.

Ten days ago a man was bit by a shark while standing in the water at a Truro Beach. I don’t know if I am going in over my knees when we go the the beach tomorrow!