This is the first view most people get of the Cape. The Canal actually cuts the Cape off from the mainland and allows ships to avoid the dangerous waters east of Cape Cod. This view looks south along the canal toward Buzzards Bay. The structure in the distance is a railroad bridge which can be lowered to ground level when a train needs to cross the canal. There are two highway bridges (the Bourne Bridge and the Sagamore Bridge) over the canal as well.
We stayed in Sandwich during out visit. It is the oldest town on Cape Cod and our favorite. It is located on the Bay side of the Cape while most of the tourist congestion is on the south side of the Cape. We stayed at this bed and breakfast. It's called the Captain Ezra Nye House. It was build by an old sea captain and the current owners have made it into a wonderful place to stay. Right across thestreet is the Dan'l Webster Inn. It's an easy walk to the oldest home on Cape Cod, a working old grist mill, a church with a steeple designed by Christopher Wren, a doll museum and a museum of Sandwich Glass. A public beach is also nearby.
This stretch of beach near Sandwich is fairly typical of the miles of public beaches on Cape Cod. One thing to remember: Do your swimming on beaches on the south side of the Cape such as Falmouth, Hyannis and Yarmouth where the waters are fed by the gulf stream. The water in Cape Cod Bay on the north side of the Cape is fed by arctic currents and will freeze your buns off even in the middle of summer. But the beaches there are still great for walking, beachcombing or sunbathing.
Speaking of sunbathing....Barb has never failed during any of our travels to find a place for a quick nap.
