Photo Essay: The Real Cape Cod
by Dr Howe Sim
The peninsula that has
become known as Cape Cod runs a mere 70 miles in length into the pounding
Atlantic surf. Despite its small size, this thin spit of land draws more than 5
million visitors annually. Every year between May and October, traffic all over
the Cape becomes a bit nightmarish, and ferries to nearby Nantucket and
Martha’s Vineyard are booked solid.
That said, Cape Cod is
still very much resplendent in its natural beauty. The calm waters of Nantucket
Sound are popular with families and beachcombers, while the pristine National
Seashore beaches are favored by surfers. Even on the hottest mid-summer day,
you can still find a secluded spot: a deserted hiking trail along a cranberry
bog, a salt marsh through which to kayak, or a bike path following a seashore
path. Here you may be blessed by a picture perfect sunset or by the opportunity
to see humpbacks frolicking offshore. This is the real Cape Cod, far from the
crowds, maddening traffic, and tacky souvenir stores.
The following photos
offer a glimpse of why those who live on the Cape will always call this magical
place home.
