Oct 18-20 Cape Cod to North Reading, Brain Tumor Walk

Friday, Oct 18

The power went off sometime in early morning, so those flashlights did come in handy.  But by breakfast time, everything was back and we enjoyed a nice breakfast.  A few of the Road Scholar folks had done as we did and stayed an extra day.  Paula, the hostess, and Steven the server were outstanding.

We finished packing and headed off toward North Reading.  Decided to try a stop in Quincy to see the Adams National Historical Park which contains the homes of presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams.  Gwynne and Mom follow the Trek.
  We get off the freeway and find the Park, but there is no obvious parking.

  We manage to find the Visitor's Center but the only parking garage has height restrictions.  A very congested area and after asking a few folks about parking for the Trek, we decide to abandon this adventure and head  through Boston to Brett and Dave's house.

Lots of traffic, but it moves pretty well.

Brett has a wonderful kielbasa lunch waiting for us!  We chat a bit, then Brett retires to his studies while we do some yard work - the leaves are falling here, especially since they had the same big winds that we saw on the Cape.

 Sweet Oscar joins us outside for a bit.

Dave arrives home around 6:00 and prepares a terrific salmon and steak dinner.  Good to visit and catch up a bit on their lives!

Saturday, Oct 19

Nice breakfast, and we take a short drive to see All Saints Episcopal Church in nearby Danvers.

 This is where Brett is doing his internship (I'm sure there is a more appropriate word) in his path to becoming an Episcopal Priest.  We visit a few of his friends and then Brett gives us a nice tour.

Back to North Reading for preparations for tomorrow's walk.  All the materials - tent, clothing, signs, etc. are pulled out and packed - mostly in Gwynne's car.  A few more chores,  some great together time with Mexican Train and another lovely dinner.



Sunday, October 20

A quick breakfast, and we all set off for the Boston Brain Tumor Walk.  We celebrate that this is Brett's 10th year since his surgery.

 Great community of walkers - many familiar faces that it is a joy to see.

 We do a group photo of our Team Oligo before the walk begins.   There were many other teams as well (but none looked as good as ours😏).

 AND, a beautiful day for a 3 mile walk.  Greg's brother Garth arrives, along with nieces Carolyn and Valerie and Valerie's husband Matthew and children Nolan and Eloise.

 Garth's wife Kathy is battling illness, so doesn't make an appearance today. Beth takes photos including this family shot.

 There were about 90 walkers in Brett's Team Oligo.

A quick tear down, and we head back to Brett & Dave's for a great pizza lunch.  Valerie and family headed back to Maine, and Garth & Carolyn headed home to check on Kathy.  There was football, studying, Mexican Train and, of course, ice cream.

Thursday, Oct 17 Storm, Final Road Scholar, More Cape Cod

Thursday, October 17

 In checking outside this morning, Greg and Gwynne find that a tree is down on the office of the hotel.

 Gwynne's car also took a hit - the back of the passenger side mirror is missing and there is a small dent in the rear passenger door.  A staff member from the hotel finds the piece to the mirror and Gwynne and Greg are able to duct tape it together.  Gayle, our leader, had a tree fall on her house in North Reading which caused some severe damage but injured no one.  Winds seem to have caused lots of damages and power outages, so we are fortunate!

A little difficulty getting cell service, but at breakfast, Dennis has service and lends Gwynne his phone so she can check in with Brett & Dave - all is well at their house (in North Reading)and they are glad to hear that we are safe and sound.

Breakfast goes on as usual.   Gayle, despite her problems at home, soldiers on and we learn that our last speaker is on her way and will address us on schedule.

Last speaker is Catherine Etter, who is supposed to talk about environmental concerns of Cape Cod.  Instead she speaks almost exclusively about water.  She asks where each person is from and comments on their water situation.  Talks a lot of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Cape Cod.  It is obvious she knows her subject, but the presentation is rather flat.

Her basic message is that the average daily use per person in the US is 125 gallons directly, 1500 gallons indirectly.  We need to be aware and protect our resources.

We have decided to spend the rest of the day exploring a little more of Cape Cod and return here for another night, which is no problem.  We leave the Trek and take off in Gwynne's car.  We take main roads as recommended, since there are still trees down and difficulty on some of the smaller roads.

We arrive at the Salt Pond Visitor's Center at Cape Cod National Seashore around noon and get a driving map of the area.

 Weather is overcast and chilly and still quite windy.  First stop is Nauset Beach Light Station in Eastham.  (This is the one on the Cape Cod Potato Chips Bag.) It was erected in 1923, using the 1877 tower of the Chatham Light.

Nearby are the 3 Sisters Lighthouses.  They were built 1838 to 1911 and moved to this location in 1989.

Next stop, the Marconi Station Site where the first two-way transatlantic wireless communication was transmitted by Guglielmo Marconi. Only the footing is left from the original towers but there is a nice view of the turbulent surf.  High winds.

Apparently, sharks have become quite an issue on these beaches, mainly because they are attracted by the rebounding seal population.

All of the beaches we stopped by, had these emergency first aid "stop the bleed" kits.

We stopped at the PB Boulangerie Bistro in Wellfleet for a quick lunch.  Quite a French bakery where Beth had a Croque Monsieur (Grilled Ham & Cheese), Mom had butternut squash soup and Greg & Gwynne had sandwiches.

 Too cold,  we ate inside.

Croque Monsieur, with cheese on the outside.

Next stop: Highland Lighthouse where we took advantage of Mom's handicapped parking tag to avoid a long, cold walk.

Still walked a bit in the bitter wind.

This is an example of a lighthouse that had to be moved as the cliffs were eroded.

We thought we'd also go to the Old Harbor Life-Saving Museum, but discovered it was closed today.  Nice dunes and views, though!

We continued on to Provincetown and drove out to Race Point Beach which is at the very tip of the Cape.  Nice dunes and we could see where grasses had recently been planted to help protect against erosion.   We could see where it was needed today!

We walked a bit, but the winds were fierce.  Here are Gwynne and Greg braving the elements!

Saw this sailboat washed ashore near a stone jetty closer to town.

Then we drove through some salt marshes and into town, pausing at Pilgrim Tower.  Lots of interesting shops, restaurants and museums, but not a day for any of it.

 We think (i.e. Google thinks) the blue boxes in the marshes were to attract some type of flies and mosquitos.

We take the more scenic 6A, back along the north shore and spot this windmill and buoy tree in one small town.  The windmill was from 1630 and moved here 1793.  The buoy tree is in memory of a local beloved young man.

We detour to get a look at a north shore beach.  No bluffs or cliffs on this side of the cape.   This was Corporation Beach near the town of Dennis.  Lighting was golden.

We got back to the hotel as it was getting dark.  Walked into town for dinner but many places were closed due to not having power most of the day.  Those that were open had very long waits.  Mom was bushed, so we went back to the hotel where she went to bed.   Greg, Gwynne and Beth decided to drive to the edge of town where we found Vallarta Mexican Restaurant and had a good fajita dinner and relaxing time.