Though it’s practically treason to say so, fall -- and not summer -- is my favorite season on Cape Cod. With fair skin and a short attention span, lying on the beach all day has never been overly appealing to me. But give me a crisp autumn day wandering around in a thick sweater, sipping a hot beverage -- now you’ve got my attention!
Usually the Cape’s fall schedule is packed with Fests, road races, and craft fairs, but this is hardly a typical year. Still, there are plenty of ways to make the best of this quieter, cooler season!
Wellfleet’s famous OysterFest is moving online this year! As always, it’s the weekend following Columbus Day, and will feature a live stream of the Shuck Off for the 20th iteration of this great event. Support the community by ordering Wellfleet oysters to eat while you watch, bid on auction items, and buy some great local merch!
Forget pumpkin spice: the fall is cranberry season. There’s something very pleasing and orderly about watching them round up all of the cranberries for harvest (not to mention highly Instagrammable). Watch the process in action in Harwich off Exit 10 or in Yarmouth on Weir Road, go for a walking tour of a working bog, or just pick up some delicious, locally-grown goodies!
Lower temperatures mean more time spent outside without immediately being covered in sweat. Nothing beats soaking up the warm sunshine, cool ocean breezes, and changing foliage on a Thoreau-esque stroll in nature! Try the Boardwalk Trail in Wellfleet or on the John Wing Trail in Brewster for a peaceful moment of solitude that feels miles away from civilization….but is still close enough to grab lunch when you’re done.
Somehow, we’ve made it this far through 2020. The change of seasons is a perfect moment to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come…and then brace yourself for the upcoming holiday season. So enjoy being outside while the sunlight lasts, and as always, wear your mask, wash your hands, and keep your distance!