We started the week still in Newport, RI then moved on to Cape Cod for part two of our vacation.
Monday, while Karen was visiting The Redwood Library & Atheneaum, Steve & Zeeke went back to Brenton Point State Park for more kite flying, but unfortunately the wind did not show up so they went to a local playground instead. After picking up Karen, we all headed out to Flo's Clam Shack and then did some more cliff walking, then ended the night having sushi with Jay, Brenda & Avery.
Tuesday, Karen got started on the packing while Steve & Zeeke picked up breakfast at Ma's Donuts. After another failed attempt at kite flying and one more lunch at Flo's, we got on the road to Cape Cod. We unloaded the car at the cabin, then headed over to have dinner with our hosts, Billy & Kath and their sons. Zeeke adored hanging out with the boys, watching Calvin do backyard stunts, trading jokes with Jack and Liam, and playing their drumkit.
Wednesday, we drove up to Provincetown. None of us were up for climbing the pilgrim monument tower that day, but we enjoyed the scavenger hunt in the museum at its base. After a great lunch at The Lobster Pot, Karen & Zeeke played on the beach while Steve hit the shops, searching for ingredients to fulfill Zeeke's choice of Halloween costume (crab or lobster). Steve returned with a large stuffed lobster, but then Zeeke had an epic meltdown because he'd gotten his pants wet in the surf. Karen tried to fix the problem by turning them into cutoffs, but hysterics continued. Finally we decided to give up and head back to the cabin.
Thursday, we drove out to Nauset Light and walked out to see the Three Sisters (a trio of retired lighthoues that had been moved away from their original location). It was lovely trip and Zeeke delighted in finding lots of tiny pine cones. We had lunch at The Lobster Shanty and then spent the afternoon on the beach at Great Pond, where we dug in the sand, chased fish and watched a pair of mated swans. That night we joined Billy, Kath & the boys for pizza.
Friday morning, we went to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and then hiked the amazing trail behind it, which included woodlands, salt marshes, meadows, tidal pools, mud flats, barrier beaches, and a standing stone solar calendar. Thoroughly exhausted and starving by the time we were done, we dragged our damp shoes to Oliver's for fish & chips, which reinvigorated us enough to drive over to the Edward Gorey House. Although a bit young to fully appreciate it, Zeeke had a good time, especially at the arts and crafts table.
Saturday, we planned to do a nature hike, but the park we'd chosen was closed, the weather turned suddenly gloomy, and Zeeke passed out in the car. Karen visited a cute local library while Steve hung with the napping boy. We picked up some lunch at The Original Seafood Restaurant and headed back to the cabin, where we spent the rainy day, doing laundry, packing and relaxing. That night, Jack & Calvin came over to keep an eye on Zeeke while he slept so that Steve & Karen could sneak out and catch Billy & Kath playing live music at the Claddagh Inn & Irish Pub. It was a lovely ending to the trip.
Sunday morning, we loaded up the car, said goodbye to Kath, and headed out on the very long drive home. It was such a great vacation that Zeeke didn't want it to end. Fortunately, he slept for most of the afternoon portion of the journey.
Thanks to Jay & Brenda and Billy & Kath for being such amazing hosts!