A little warm up trip to Scusset Beach Reservation, on the Cape Cod Canal.

It's great to be on the road again, even for a short trip to a familiar place. We stayed in our home state, with only a 90-minute drive and took a second car. Scusset Beach Reservation is a place I've frequented since high school. Recently, I discovered that the state park offers RV camping services. After paying out-of-state rates across the country, we enjoyed "residential" camping rates at this beautiful beachside reservation. 

One of the best parts of camping locally was being able to share 1^st hand, our RV camping experience with so many friends and family. Many of our friends came from the Boston area to join us at our beach front campsite. The weather could have been way more helpful. Just another two Saturdays in a row where the weather absolutely sucked!! That being said, when you spend 12 days at a campground, odds are you will get a couple of stellar beach days, which is indeed what happened.

However, it was on one of those rainy days when Judy and I had a chance to go visit the Sandwich Glass Museum, owned and operated by the Sandwich Historical Society.  This museum is home to a collection of 19th century industrial glass, as well as a training ground for modern day glassblowers and glass artists. There are live demonstrations, and glassblowing classes, as well as a wonderful history of the Sandwich Glass Industry, which was far more extensive than I thought.

We saw a lot of wild animals on this trip. Among the more common sightings, such as bunnies and deer, we had the opportunity to capture footage of a red fox trotting along the side of the road. While driving to our campsite one day, I noticed the animal approximately 100 yards ahead, leisurely moving along the roadway. Contrary to our expectations, the fox did not retreat into the brush as we approached. Judy was able to record the following video as we drove by. It was not until we were close that we noticed the animal had caught a squirrel and was taking it someplace for dinner.            

Scusset Beach Reservation is located on the Cape Cod Bay side of the Cape Cod peninsula. Technically, Cape Cod does not begin until one crosses either the Sagamore or Bourne Bridges, which span the Cape Cod Canal. This busy man-made shipping canal was initially constructed between 1909 and 1914 as a private venture. It was later taken over by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1928 and rebuilt into the larger canal and recreation area that exists today. Here are three interesting facts:

1. The 7.4 mile canal has no locks. 
2. Because of that, the current can run in either direction, & changes direction every 6 hours.
3. Tides in Cape Cod Bay are 5 feet higher than Buzzards Bay, and they occur out of phase with each other by about 3 hours, creating stronger than usual currents within the canal.

One of the most acclaimed attractions is the paved 7.4 mile trail that runs on both sides of the canal between Cape Cod Bay and Buzzards Bay. Very wide and well maintained, this paved trail is the perfect spot to walk, bike, or rollerblade. (Judy walked there almost every morning) So, seven months after undergoing a total knee replacement surgery, I decided to test my new knee by strapping on my recently neglected in-line rollerblades for a test drive of the new knee. The knee performed exceptionally well, although I experienced some soreness in my back and shin muscles. Roller blading is back on the list of enjoyable activities.

 

 The highlight of this trip was undoubtedly the time spent visiting with friends and family throughout the week.  I would like to note that Judy and I, who spend a lot of time together, often having the opportunity to meet new people, but spending so much time on the road can sometimes be a bit solitary. Not at Scusset Beach! We welcomed a lot of visitors, too many to list here, and we appreciated spending time with each and every one of them.

This was a great local trip! It was nice to get back in the RV again and start traveling. This was kind of like a shakedown cruise. We were able to reacquaint ourselves with all the supplies needed to go on the road for another 2 ½ months starting the end of June. So, we’re headed home for a brief stay where we will reload and resupply for our upcoming 2,300-mile trip through New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec, Canada. We will start our travels in Southwest Harbor, Maine in the venerable Acadia National Park, for the July 4^th week - it should be a fantastic stop which we would love to share with you as we tell… the Rest of the Story.