Cape Cod - I don't get it

[deadheadskier]

Got back this morning from spending a Saturday/night on Cape Cod. Every time I go, I return home with the same thought. "Why do people come here in droves and rave about the place"

Background:

I went to the Cape several times as a kid. I lived on the Cape for two seasons working in restaurants. I like the Cape; it's quaint, has lots of history and the beaches are great.

What I don't get is why: People will sit in RIDICULOUS traffic to get out there. Then when you do get out there, everywhere is mobbed with people. Yes I'm aware there are pockets of solitude here and there, but it's still pretty crazy everywhere and you better know the back roads to get around Bars out there are alright, but I always feel a total southie masshole testosterone overload around me and the $10 crappy well drinks amaze me to boot.

I did have a great time. The water was wonderful, the company great, perfect summer weather. That said, I still just don't get why SO MANY people go there because when I want to take a vacation, I generally don't want to be where SO MANY people are. Even when I lived down there, I'd take off on the weekends and only really enjoyed the Cape during the month of September.


After 33 years of which over a year of my times has been spent on the Cape, I still don't get it.

/rant

 

[RootDKJ]

Same with the Jersey Shore...if I go, I'm on the road by 7:30 and out by 2, otherwise the traffic is INCREDIBLE!

 

[deadheadskier]

Oh and the Lobstah's down there were $8/lb. Only $4/lb down the street from me :grin:

 

[andyzee]

Got back this morning from spending a Saturday/night on Cape Cod. Every time I go, I return home with the same thought. "Why do people come here in droves and rave about the place"

Background:

I went to the Cape several times as a kid. I lived on the Cape for two seasons working in restaurants. I like the Cape; it's quaint, has lots of history and the beaches are great.

What I don't get is why: People will sit in RIDICULOUS traffic to get out there. Then when you do get out there, everywhere is mobbed with people. Yes I'm aware there are pockets of solitude here and there, but it's still pretty crazy everywhere and you better know the back roads to get around Bars out there are alright, but I always feel a total southie masshole testosterone overload around me and the $10 crappy well drinks amaze me to boot.

I did have a great time. The water was wonderful, the company great, perfect summer weather. That said, I still just don't get why SO MANY people go there because when I want to take a vacation, I generally don't want to be where SO MANY people are. Even when I lived down there, I'd take off on the weekends and only really enjoyed the Cape during the month of September.


After 33 years of which over a year of my times has been spent on the Cape, I still don't get it.

/rant

deadheadskier, I truly find this post funny, and please don't take that the wrong way. I find it funny because of the reasons I go there:

1. I go to get away from the mobs, try the Jersey shore sometime
2. I go for the solitude of empty beaches, I stick to the lower cape, Truro/Provincetown(could never understand why it's refered to as the lower cape)
3. Go for the great biking, nothing like it. And by doing so, you avoid the traffic and mobs
4. I did learn my lesson about traffic going to and from the cape about 30 years ago, as a result, I never travel when others do.
5. I go for beach, biking, the quaintness, lobsters. I camp out and drive onto the beach, my bar is the beach at night in front of a campfire with friends.
   

 

[andyzee]

Oh and the Lobstah's down there were $8/lb. Only $4/lb down the street from me :grin:

You go enough, you find better price. There's the "Lobster Lady" in N. Truro. Her husband gets the lobsters in the morning, she sells them during the day out of her house.

 

[deadheadskier]

deadheadskier, I truly find this post funny, and please don't take that the wrong way. I find it funny because of the reasons I go there:

1. I go to get away from the mobs, try the Jersey shore sometime
2. I go for the solitude of empty beaches, I stick to the lower cape, Truro/Provincetown(could never understand why it's refered to as the lower cape)
3. Go for the great biking, nothing like it. And by doing so, you avoid the traffic and mobs
4. I did learn my lesson about traffic going to and from the cape about 30 years ago, as a result, I never travel when others do.
5. I go for beach, biking, the quaintness, lobsters. I camp out and drive onto the beach, my bar is the beach at night in front of a campfire with friends.
   

I'm aware of that there are ways to 'get away' on the Cape. I guess it always seems to me that due to scheduling, I'm stuck doing what 'normal' people do. That's what I don't 'get'. I don't get what the 'normal' people do and rave about.

There are numerous great beaches on the north and south shore of Mass that involve far less hassle. I don't 'get' why people drive on by such places to throw themselves in the vacation mosh pit.

 

[andyzee]

There are numerous great beaches on the north and south shore of Mass that involve far less hassle. I don't 'get' why people drive on by such places to throw themselves in the vacation mosh pit.

Hmmm.... why do you?

 

[deadheadskier]

Hmmm.... why do you?

Because I get invited to the Cape by a relative or friend who really loves the cape.

 

[andyzee]

Because I get invited to the Cape by a relative or friend who really loves the cape.

Ok, thought I might be smart and get you to answer your own question. :razz:

 

[RootDKJ]

deadheadskier, I truly find this post funny, and please don't take that the wrong way. I find it funny because of the reasons I go there:

1. I go to get away from the mobs, try the Jersey shore sometime
2. I go for the solitude of empty beaches, I stick to the lower cape, Truro/Provincetown(could never understand why it's refered to as the lower cape)
3. Go for the great biking, nothing like it. And by doing so, you avoid the traffic and mobs
4. I did learn my lesson about traffic going to and from the cape about 30 years ago, as a result, I never travel when others do.
5. I go for beach, biking, the quaintness, lobsters. I camp out and drive onto the beach, my bar is the beach at night in front of a campfire with friends.

Fess up AndyZee...you can be found handing out in Seaside Heights most weekends between June and September:dunce:

 

[deadheadskier]

Friends of mine from Jersey love Long Beach Island. Vacation Mosh Pit as well?

 

[andyzee]

Fess up AndyZee...you can be found handing out in Seaside Heights most weekends between June and September:dunce:

The last time I was at seaside was about 25 yrs ago and that was only on a bike ride. I stopped on the boardwalk, rested a bit and then started biking back, never like that place. The few beaches in NJ I have liked are Sandy Hook, Point Pleasant and Wildwood. And even that I don't bother with any more.

 

[RootDKJ]

Friends of mine from Jersey love Long Beach Island. Vacation Mosh Pit as well?

My neighbor owns a house on LBI...it is indeed one of the most scenic beaches in NJ. That's where I was for 9/11. Haven't been back there since.

The last time I was at seaside was about 25 yrs ago and that was only on a bike ride. I stopped on the boardwalk, rested a bit and then started biking back, never like that place. The few beaches in NJ I have liked are Sandy Hook, Point Pleasant and Wildwood. And even that I don't bother with any more.

I like Sandy Hook. Park in the Highlands and bike on in for free!:beer:

 

[andyzee]

I like Sandy Hook. Park in the Highlands and bike on in for free!:beer:

I like riding the Henry Hudson trail and then biking on 36 into Sandy Hook, great bike ride. http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.asp?agency=130&Id=2525 They were supposed to extend this trail into Sandy Hook, not sure where that stands though.

 

[RootDKJ]

I like riding the Henry Hudson trail and then biking on 36 into Sandy Hook, great bike ride. http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.asp?agency=130&Id=2525 They were supposed to extend this trail into Sandy Hook, not sure where that stands though.

Yup..used to ride that one when I lived in Monmouth county. Good times

 

[andyzee]

Yup..used to ride that one when I lived in Monmouth county. Good times

Dude, I'd be very surprised if we haven't crossed paths.:lol:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

well yeah..people love going to the Jersey Shore and Disney World and other places that are a complete mobscene..I don't like crowds..that's why I go to Jackson hole in mid-late January..you could always go to Nantucket..

 

[mondeo]

I just don't understand beaches altogether. I can sit around and do nothing outside just as well at home.

 

[RootDKJ]

Dude, I'd be very surprised if we haven't crossed paths.:lol:

Indeed.

 

[Warp Daddy]

The Queen and i go to the CAPE after Labor Day -its fantastic --no crowds , no traffic , rates are down ,pace is lazy -AWESOME and the water is still quite warm.


I spent 3 months on the Cape rented a beautiful home on pond a block from the ocean when i was on sabbatical leave several years ago and love it here . We biked everywhere and quickly learned how to drive the capes backroads and avoid the main roads .


The Queen is a watercolor artist so finds the Cape light amazing and ZEEMAN is right on target about the beach at nite simply awesome