Why Is Cape Cod Called Cape Cod?

August 26 – September 1, 2014

Our drive from Boston wasn’t a long one since our next stop was in South Dennis on Cape Cod. We were hoping the week here would prove beneficial in giving us some more flounder.

The RV Park we were staying at for the week had a place where Izzy could go wander around without a leash so our walks were great since she could wander and sniff. It was also a great place for her to get a few runs under her collar!

 

Our Walking Trail

Come on Mom I Need a Drink

 

Almost Done With My Mile

 

We wandered to the harbor nearby so Steve could find out about fishing charters and if the flounder are biting. He had success so we booked a morning fishing trip on the Albatross out of the Sesuit Harbor.

Izzy hung out at the trailer and we got on the boat. The weather was great, Cape Cod Harbor was beautiful, and we had fun catching fish. Most of it wasn’t flounder but we did manage to bring in three founders that could go home with us. We enjoyed a couple of fresh fish dinners.

 

Heading out into Cape Code Harbor

 

Small Cape Cod Home!

Enjoying the Ride

Hoping for One More Flounder 

We weren’t sure what to expect on Cape Cod but I was curious as to why it was named Cape Cod. Could there be a lot of cod fish close by? Well, my research doesn’t really tell me why it is named that but in 1602 Bartholomew Gosnold named the tip Cape Cod and Samuel de Champlain charted its sand-silted harbors in 1606. Remember his name? You should since he has been to some of the other places SIT has visited.

Captain John Smith noted it on his map of 1614, and at last the Pilgrims entered the “Cape Harbor” but first landed near Privincetown on November 11, 1620, not Plymouth Rock. They left there and then settled at Plymouth Rock. Cape Cod was among the first places settled by the English in North America and continues to attract many visitors every year.

We did learn about the Pilgrims coming to Provincetown when we took a day trip up the cape. The town is a great place to see many different types of art as you wander the streets. The beach is great and wasn’t very busy when we were there.

 

Provincetown

 

The Beach

When you walk around you see the large Pilgrim Memorial Monument. This monument is constructed to commemorate the arrival of The Mayflower and the creation and signing of the Mayflower Compact. Surprisingly it wasn’t built until 1907 and completed in 1910. By the way it is 252 feet and 7.5 inches tall. No wonder you can see it from most locations.

We visited the Cape Cod National Seashore, part of the National Park Service, and had amazing views from the tower at the visitor’s center. You’ll never guess what we saw from there? You get one hint it is over 200 feet tall.

Color on the Cape

Cape Cod National Seashore

We stopped at the Nauset Light Beach which is within the National Park boundary. It was a nice day but we were surprised to see quite a few people in the water. Burr as it was only about 60 degrees.

 

 

Nauset Light Beach

The other thing you learn is that Cape Cod is now technically an island. It wasn’t always an island but in 1870 to 1914 the present Cape Cod Canal was developed. This saved much time for boats and ships traveling along the Atlantic coast. We checked out the canal for a potential fishing spot but quickly learned the window is small during the early morning hours if you expect to catch the elusive Striper.

 

At the Cape Cod Canal 

Moving Through the Canal

 

The Train Bridge

The Sagamore Bridge takes you across the Cape Cod Canal. We thought the upper protection they constructed was interesting as they are working on the bridge. By the way this is the bridge we get to travel over as we continue our adventure. Next stop Rhode Island!