Dr. Beach Rates Cape Cod's Coast Gurad Beach at Number 6 in the Nation

6. Coast Guard Beach Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Coast Guard Beach, accessible by bicycle or via shuttle bus from the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center, was formed where a sand spit attached to the glacial cliffs. The sand is fairly coarse, so the beach slopes steeply into the water. The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view down upon the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay. During the summer, beach-goers take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean as water temperatures only reach 60-70 degrees.

Cape Cod National Seashore 50th Anniversary, Eastham, MA

Exciting news -- The Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore is hosting a treasure hunt to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy's signing of the federal law to preserve the seashores along the outer Cape. Here at The Whalewalk Inn & Spa we have a great idea to add to the treasure hunt.

You can pick up a booklet of 80 questions. Find the answers and then send in the booklet to the Seashore for eligibility to win prizes. Here at the Whalewalk Inn & Spa, we are going to carry their great idea one step further. For the Labor Day Weekend, besides having our amazing smoked meat picnic on Sunday, September 4th, we will have available the booklets with this great treasure hunt upon your arrival for the weekend. On the night of the picnic, you can turn in your booklet to us and the couple with the most correct answers will win two nights at the Inn in our Pent House Suite. After that we will turn your booklets into the Seashore, so you can win even more prizes.

Book your Labor Day Weekend today -- there is a three night minimum, but you will need the time to win the first leg of the Cape Cod National Seashore Amazing Race. Remember 2 nights at the Inn in the Pent House -- Can't wait to see who the winner is!!!!!

Nauset Light Beach -- A Beautiful Place on Cape Cod

Last night the grand kids, my friend, Erika and I went to Nauset Light Beach. It was great. On Wednesdays they give tours of the lighthouse -- looking up made your head spin. You could climb all the way up to the light -- really cool, as the kids said.

We packed a light dinner with Twizzlers for desert. What a dinner view! The tide was out and the waves were very light -- just right for 11 and 14 year olds to body surf. They had a blast -- and one didn't even want to go in the water. Now he is hooked! And, they are ready to go back, just as Erika and I -- we enjoyed watching the kids, chatting and taking in the beauty of the beach and ocean.

So when you come and visit us at the Inn, be sure to make Nauset Light Beach one of your destinations. Call today for your reservations (508-255-0617) or you can book online. See you on Cape Cod!

Father's Day Around the Corner -- Give Dad a Trip to Cape Cod

Father's Day is fast approaching. Give Dad a fishing weekend getaway to celebrate this special day. Kevin will be happy to share some of his fishing hole secrets -- I even know a couple of them, too.

If you prefer, book one of the fishing boats in the Rock Harbor fleet. They will provide a stupendous day of fishing. The stripers are running, and put up a nice little fight.

If fishing isn't Dad's thing, the Cape Cod National Seashore is also just around the corner. After a stop at the Visitor's Center for trail maps, Dad can enjoy a hike through Red Maple Cedar Swamp and the Fort Hill Trail. There are other trails to follow also. Here, too, he can get a free permit and build a campfire at any of the Sheashore's six swimming beaches, including Coast Guard Beach -- in Eastham and 10 minutes away from The Whalewalk Inn & Spa.

So book a room for Dad and guest, or buy him a gift certificate so he can come on a weekend that works with his busy schedule. FOR EVERY $100 DOLLARS YOU SPEND ON A GIFT CERTIFICATE, WE WILL ADD $10 EXTRA. OFFER EXPIRES JUNE 20TH. So order your certificate today either on our website, or call 508-255-0617.

Arts and Entertainment on "Old Cape Cod"

Cannot believe that it is the middle of September already. Seems like we were just hunkering down for Earl--who by the way, got way more hype than he deserved. We had rain from 8:30 pm to 4:00 am, and could have served breakfast outdoors, it was that beautiful the next day. Unfortunately, we had all the furniture tied up, but have been having breakfast outside since.

The weather is really beautiful right now. It is those clear bright days and cool nights. The moon seems bigger than ever and it is only a half moon. Soon we will have a harvest moon to brighten our sky.

September is a great month to take advantage of the arts and entertainment that abounds on Cape Cod. This up coming weekend has some great events. Here are some samples:

At the Creative Arts Center in Chatham -- Autumn Open Juried Exhibition.
The Village Garden Club of Dennis -- A Cape Cod September, a flower show with the bounties of fall.
Provincetown Art Association and Museum -- Annual Fall Consignment Auction of Vintage Fine Art by prominent Provincetown artists.
Hyannis Harbor Sea Shanties, Bismore Park --See the work of more than 32 artists who work out of the shanties.

After a day of enjoying different galleries on Cape Cod, take advantage of the night life offered by our many off Broadway theatres. Here are a few choices:

Harbor Stage of Wellfleet -- "Dead Ringer" -- September 1-18.
Cape Rep Theatre in Brewster -- "Side Man" -- September 6 to October 17
The Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans -- "Play it again Sam" -- Through September 18
Fifth Annual Tennessee Williams Festival in Provincetown -- "Under the Influence" -- September 23 -26

Last but not least, for the music lovers, there will be plenty to enjoy a t the Fourth Annual Provincetown Music Festival on September 18.

So come on down for a great weekend of entertainment. Oh, and the beaches are also awaiting your arrival. Book your reservations today, either on-line or give us a call at 800-440-1281. Have a romantic weekend getaway!

Cape Cod National Seashore--Come to the Whalewalk Inn Located at the Gateway to the Best Beaches in the World

Beaches, Beaches and more Beaches -- one more beautiful than the next -- so many to choose from, where to begin!

Begin your beach experience at the Salt Pond Visitor Center, the main visitor facility. See orientation movies, visit the book store and a comprehensive museum. The views of Nauset Marsh and Atlantic beyond are breathtaking. There are walking trails -- the Nauset Marsh Trail and the Buttonbush Trail, a multi-sensory trail with guide rope and text panels printed in larage lettering and Braille, and also the Nauset Bicycle Trail. The beaches here are:

• Coast Guard Beach in Eastham is a prime swimming beach, great for walking, surfing and just relaxing. Drive to Little Creek parking area and take the tram for a great beach experience.

• Nauset Light Beach consists of a broad, sandy beach that is contained by a steep glacial scarp behind it. It is one mile north of Coast guard Beach on Ocean View Drive.

The Province Lands Visitor Center is located on Race Point Road off Rout 6 at the northern end of Cape Cod National Seashore, about a mile from Provincetown. The observation deck provides a 360 degree view of the dunes, the Outer Beach, and the Atlantic Ocean. You can see Race Point Ranger Station,, the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station and the Pilgrim Monument. Exhibits feature local plants, animals and the Pilgrim's landing in Provincetown are featured.

Make your reservations today at the Whalewalk Inn & Spa. Remember if you find a one night opening between two existing reservations, we offer a 15% discount for that one night. So if you only have time for a short visit, take advantage of this discount.

Cape Cod National Seashore--11 Things to Do to Bring Out the Kid in You

Remember all the simple fun you had as a kid when you visited the seashore, lake shore, or river shore? Well, here are 11 things you can do to bring back the kid in you, while visiting the Cape Cod National Seashore beaches. They are:

1. Go beach combing to collect shells, stones and even sea glass.

2. Climb a lighthouse -- Highland Light has some great views!

3. Play in the water, ride a wave, go body surfing -- lessons are available for all who want to be the great Kahuna.

4. Eat a cranberry (home grown in bread, pancakes, or jam), and try a wild beach plum. (We serve it as our jam for toast.

5. Hold a hermit crab.

6. Take a boat ride -- canoe, kayak, whale watching boat, deep sea fishing boat out of Rock Harbor, seal watching, or sail boat ride.

7. Create a Sand Sculpture and take a picture and send it home for all to see.

8. Catch a fish and eat a clam -- fish from shore, from a boat, in a pond, or in the sea. If you don't catch anything go to a great clam shack where clams, oysters and fish and chips abound.

9. Hike a quiet a woods -- enjoy 14 miles of self guided nature trails, listen to nature, and get energized with a brisk walk or a lazy stroll.

10 Enjoy a Campfire at the Beach -- every Monday and Wednesday at Nauset Light Beach at 7:30 during the month of July and 7:00 pm in August.

11. Book a room at the Whalewalk Inn and Spa -- start the day with an awesome breakfast, spend the day doing 1 through10, and partake of the many great restaurants for dinner. Then begins Cape night life -- an evening at the theatre, go to the drive-in for a double feature under the stars, live music and comedy at the Cape Cod Melody tent, or relax in your room with a brandy and a good book.

See you on Cape Cod!

Cape Cod National Seashore Statistics

When you call the Whalewalk Inn & Spa and you ask about beaches, we will tell you that you are a 10 minute drive to the Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor's Center. They will give you directions, maps and general information on what the Seashore has to offer. Here are the highlights: Six beaches, 11 self-guided nature trails, nine lighthouses, picnic area and daily activities. Most things are free which makes for a great day at the Cape. We have a great daily paper, Cape Cod Day, which you can pick up on arrival to help you plan your daily activities.

After a long day of exploring and a great dinner, make plans for a night at the theatre or one of the outdoor concerts that dot the Cape. The Melody Tent tomorrow will have Abba the Music and Melissa Etheridge will be there on Friday. The Beach Boys will be coming in August -- Surfin' USA.

One other site that you may want to visit is the restored Blacksmith Shop in Brewster on the Drummer Boy Property -- Thursdays through Saturdays 1 to 4. Here you can learn how tools were made in the second half of the 18th century. What I found amazing was that the forge, the structure that holds the fire, is made of wood. Most that you see today are stone or brick. It is rare to see a wood one that has survived all this time.

We still have three rooms for the weekend, so come on down, cool off in our beautiful ocean, and enjoy the history, arts, theatre, and music that abounds on Cape Cod. Call us today at 508-255-0617. Or, you can book online. Remember if there is a one night between two existing reservations, we offer a 15% discount for that one night.

Summer on the Beaches of Outer Cape Cod

Doug the Quahog has the first week under his belt with a positive prediction of a sunny summer on Cape Cod. The 4th of July weekend was absolutely beautiful and the forecast for the week is more of the same.

We had our 4th of July picnic in conjunction with the Orleans fireworks. We smoked some ribs, chicken and beef brisket. Had some great side dishes to go along with the smoked meats. Guests and neighbors enjoyed the evening. After dinner we all walked to the fireworks. They really had some beautiful ones this year and everyone was aaawing and ooohing.

Receive a new daily paper now that tells what is going on around the Cape, today and tomorrow. It is great and keeps us all well informed as to what is available for fun in the sun. The guests have had great days at the beaches, and all are getting tanned .

Surf's up, so make your reservations today for a great beach vacation -- Doug the Quahog wants to see you all on Cape Cod for summer fun. Book your rooms today. Give us a call or check online. If you cannot find a room, give us a call if you don't mind splitting your stay between two rooms. We do all the moving for you. Looking forward to hearing from you -- 508-255-0617.