thervdreamlife

Waking up to a glorious day yesterday – comfortable with no humidity – we began with a breakfast at Fairway (it’s become our go-to spot not only for a full breakfast but also for that occasional hand-cut doughnut for which visitors now wait in a very long line!). Since the beach parking lots are known to fill to capacity as early as 10 a.m., we packed up and headed to Nauset Light Beach – part of the National Seashore – shortly after breakfast. Unlike at home on the Jersey Shore, the parking is $20/day unless you have purchased a weekly or seasonal pass, but we possess a senior life-time pass from the National Park Service, which grants us free admission to all of the National Seashore beaches! And you wonder why I keep Bill around!!

As I have mentioned, the beaches are beautiful, yet different than our Jersey shore in that there are huge dunes that drop off to the point where steps have been constructed to allow beach access. Once you are down the steps, the beach itself is expansive in both directions, and we quickly claimed our spot and set up camp! Although it was on the cool side, we basked for over two hours while reading, people-watching and seal-spotting. The same excitement that is generated at home when dolphins are spotted was evident here on Nauset Light Beach as every so often you could follow a seal as he calmly paddled past and actually did so very close to shore. We also noticed that the “Shark Alert” flag was flying at the lifeguard stand. Several children found their way into the water but 58-degree water was not on my list today – or any day!

We had decided to investigate a local winery in Truro in the afternoon, so around 12:30 p.m. we left the beach and regrouped before heading to Truro Vineyard. Located on an old, historic farm, the vineyard is truly a gathering place for locals and tourists alike. We scoured the gift store and grabbed a bite to eat from the food truck on site that is from a local farm-and-fish-to-table restaurant, Blackfish, as we waited to participate in the 2:30p.m. tasting. For $10 you may taste five wines and keep your souvenir glass. Bill and I decided to divide and conquer, sharing each taste so we could sample the entire portfolio offered. The tasting occurred on a very comfortable patio at individual tables. The tasting also entitled you to a reduced rate should you happen to purchase a full glass of wine – which of course we did! Our favorite was the unoaked Chardonnay, second only to a chilled cranberry red wine which we thought would be a delicious dessert wine – accompanied by chocolate of course!

The vineyard also offered complimentary tours twice a day so we jumped in on one of those. It was the first winery tour we’ve experienced where they actually took you to the fields of grapes and imparted specific information about planting and harvesting. Many of the grapes used in Truro come from California or New York, but every available acre of the property is now filled with plants, primarily Chardonnay grapes. Following the tour, we settled in the courtyard with another glass of wine and just enjoyed the sights along with the ancient Chinese Mulberry tree which was absolutely magnificent!

Interesting to note is that the Vineyard is now home also to South Hollow Distillery, as the family has begun to produce gin, rum and spiced rum. Spirit tastings are also available, but we decided not to mix our alcohol! Sounds like a return trip might be in order!

Since there was no way that Karen was going to cook dinner, on our way home we stopped into Mac’s Seafood Market and Kitchen and ordered scallop dinners to take out. Mac’s has several locations throughout the Cape and has just moved to a new location in Eastham, not only functioning as a wonderful fish market, but now also having expanded to include home-made soups, lobster rolls, cod sandwiches, and special meals such as fish and chips, fish tacos and more!

Feeling bathed by the sun, satiated by wine, and nourished by scallops, Bill and I were grateful for yet another wonderful day off on Cape Cod.

Stay Calm and Travel On…