This week marked the final week of summer before school starts and Eric has to get back to work.  We took our annual trip to Cape Cod late in August, and we planned to follow our normal routine of reading novels, swimming at the beach, and grilling dinner.  This time, we made two additional trips to historical sites in the mid-Cape region.

Col. Benjamin Godfrey Windmill

The Col. Benjamin Godfrey Windmill in Chatham is a working grist mill located just outside of the center of town.  Nestled among the picturesque houses of Chatham, the mill still grinds corn into flour at several times throughout the year depending upon wind conditions.  When we visited, the caretakers had ground corn into flour so recently that we could see the remnant kernels in the mill’s feeder.

Because the windmill consists of two small floors, the tour was very quick.  The two caretakers working at the site were extremely knowledgeable about the mill, and they brought a great deal of enthusiasm to the tour.  Our guide fully explained the mill’s history and workings on both floors of the facility, and he thoroughly and thoughtfully fielded all of our questions about the history and the mechanics of the mill.  His knowledge of the site and his delivery of the information showed his obvious love for the windmill, its history, and its importance to Chatham, an enthusiasm I found infectious.

The Godfrey Windmill is conveniently located near the shops, galleries, and restaurants of Chatham center, and it is a worthwhile addition to your summer vacation itinerary.  When you finish the tour, you can go behind the mill and walk through the labyrinth.

Cape Cod National Seashore

On our last full day of vacation, we visited the National Park Service site at the Cape Cod National Seashore.  While the national park covers the beachfront at the Cape Cod National Seashore, it also maintains several hiking trails along the marsh.

The trails were well-signed, clearly demarcated, and maintained, making the park accessible and appropriate for hikers of all skill levels.  With multiple overlooks, we were able to take in views of the salt marsh and the ocean and catch a breeze even on a hot day.

The visitor center was very well-maintained and accessible to the public.  There were several restrooms in the Visitor Center and at the parking lot; a well-staffed Visitor Center with personable, knowledgable staff; and an organized gift shop with reasonably-priced items to purchase.

If you are spending the day at the Seashore, bring a picnic lunch. There are a few places to eat in the area, but they can get crowded and expensive. Thanks to the size of the park, there are many places to set down a blanket and eat. HOWEVER, be careful about where you put that blanket. Cape Cod is notorious for having tons of poison ivy which can ruin anyone’s vacation. Need a handy guide for poison ivy id-ing? Check this page out: http://www.poison-ivy.org/plants