Cape Cod Adventure, trip summary Sept 7-11, 2016 (New England) Hyannis, MA

The 2016 New England trip went to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Some participants came from as far away as California, Texas, Colorado and Kansas. All participants experienced, with other single Christian Scientists, the rich history, beauty and delights of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with its charming New England towns and extensive National Seashore.

We rested in the newly restored home of the HI Hyannis Hostel on the harbor front. We took night walks along the waterfront and watched fishing vessels unload their catch under bright night lights. We strolled along nearby historic Main Street; some visited the John F. Kennedy Museum. We made Spanky's Clam Shack in Hyannis harbor our home away from home dining together one evening on long tables, and snacking regularly outside. Chef Johnny never disappointed us with his cooking, always lovingly prepared for all. We enjoyed evening cookouts on the beach and early morning hearty breakfasts. S'mores over a campfire on the hostel grounds at the end of an active day provided the perfect setting to exchange stories of the day and develop friendships.

Our Christian Science Practitioner who stayed with us was always there for support. On the Outer Cape we reveled in the dramatic dunes of the National Seashore and enjoyed exploring the colorful, historic seaside towns of Provincetown and Wellfleet. We rode in jeeps over the undulating dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore spotting the shacks where some of American's best playwrights stayed and wrote.

We went beach-combing in the morning mist and under the afternoon's clear blue skies, enjoyed sunsets on the waterfront, and nature walks on boardwalks at low tide among the marshes. We delighted in watching whales frolic around our boat on a whale watching trip.

On a self-guided day trip to the island of Martha's Vineyard we cruised around on bicycles and took the picturesque Chappy Ferry to nearby Chappaquiddick Island. We strolled and biked along the Cape Cod Canal and learned of the Canal's long history at the Canal Visitor's Center. In the picturesque town of Chatham we delighted in watching fishermen unload their catch at the Fish Pier, while seals gathered and frolicked in anticipation of a good meal being thrown overboard in their direction.

We went horseback riding and flew through the trees on a zip line. We glided gently with the tide in a kayak and biked along some of the Cape's winding roads and bike paths in search of hidden beaches.

On an an Eco-tour in a pontoon boat we glided through the shallow waters of the quiet and majestic Barnstable Harbor with a knowledgeable tour operator who informed us in great detail about the natural habitat around us.

And ice cream.  There were always plenty of tempting places to imbibe, no matter where we spent the day. We were welcomed with open arms at the Hyannis Christian Science church services. We sang hymns together and prayed together.

The ASCSA Cape Cod Adventure was a special time of adventure, exploration, and fellowship - all shared with single Christian Scientists from around the States.

Written by co-hostesses Merrilee Zellner and Betsy SheltonThis event's heading: "Cape Cod Adventure."

https://ascsacapeadventureactivities.wordpress.com

BELOW IS THE ORIGINAL REGISRATION INFORMATION FOR 2016

Event's location: Hyannis, Massachusetts (New England).

Dates: Wednesday through Sunday, September 7-11, 2016.

Theme:

Per person price: $335 for a 4-night stay, $295 for 3-night stay
Price includes: lodging, several meals prepared by the event's personal chef, cookouts, relaxing & strolling along the Hyannis Harbor, sunsets on the waterfront, bike or walk to local Hyannis beaches, bonfires with s'mores, New England history and culture.  Various activities on the Cape Cod National Seashore such as dune walking, biking on its bike paths, beach combing, swimming.

Price does not include your transportation to and from the event location or these optional event-related activities having additional costs: full day trip to the historic island of Martha's Vineyard; half and full day trips exploring picturesque, historic towns and seashore of Cape Cod; Hyannis harbor cruise; dune touring on the Cape Cod National Seashore; two evenings of dining out in a restaurant; admission to fee-charging museums;  whale watching; horseback riding; Duckmobile tour of Hyannis and Hyannis Harbor; and potentially other water-related activities. The local trips will be by carpooling of group members with suggested donation of some gas money to the vehicle driver.

1)  Location change of accommodations:  HI Hyannis Hostel http://www.hiusa.org/hostels/massachusetts/hyannis/hyannis
Address:   111 Ocean St., Hyannis, MA 02601
Tel:  508-775-7990

2) Cape Cod National Seashore fee change:  All visitor and parking fees are waived after Labor Day

3) Introductory talk at the hostel after Wednesday evening church services on Cape Cod by Peter Bartlett Cooper.  He is a member of the Hyannis CS church and long time Cape Cod resident historian & Naturalist

4) Activity additions for a fee:
Hyannis Harbor cruise - $17
Dune tour in Provincetown - $28
Hyannis land & water tour on Duck mobile - $28

In addition to fun activities in and around Hyannis, several trips are planned.   All tours will include beach visits and/or nature walks exploring and enjoying many of the diverse beach habitats of The Cape.

A half-day trip to Falmouth and the Oceanographic Institute at Woods Hole.  Bikers can enjoy a 7.4 mile bike ride on the Shining Sea Bike Trail between Woods Hole and Falmouth. An hour horseback trail ride is available for $ 55 in West Falmouth.  Beach combing in the area.

A ¾ day trip to the Outer Cape. Includes exploring Provincetown with its eclectic shopping and museums, Wellfleet on The Cape's north shore, and Cape Cod National Seashore with nature trails, a dune tour (extra fee), and dune walking

A ¾ day trip to Chatham and Monomoy National Wildlife Reserve.  Includes a visit to a historic lighthouse,  and nature walks and beach activities at Cape Cod National Seashore at Eastham and Truro

A 3-hour trip to historic Sandwich and the Cape Cod Canal and museum.  Picnic, take a walk and bike along the canal with an ice cream stop along the way.

We have also planned a full day trip to the island of Martha's Vineyard.  Boat departs across the street from our hostel in Hyannis Harbor.

Click to get additional event information

Registration page, click here

Merrilee Zelner

mail.ascsa@gmail.com
mzellner33@gmail.com
(401) 369-0243

The group above is the 2015 Newport, RI group welcoming you to the 2016 event.