It was another beautiful day as we toured Cape Cod this morning. Our step-on guide had a wealth of information about the history of the Cape. In appearance, two hundred years ago there were wide open views, but now it is basically wooded with some kettle ponds and cranberry marshes. We drove on winding roads past historic homes and many Cape Cod-style homes. We learned that clapboards or wood siding was a sign of wealth, while the unpainted shakes used for the majority of homes we passed were less expensive. We saw highlights of the Cape: a 330-year old windmill used to grind corn, a lighthouse and a beach on the Cape Cod National Seashore. The waves of the incoming tide caught up with several who didn't move quite fast enough. We drove all the way out to the Province Lands at the end of the Cape with acres and acres of sand dunes stabilized by grasses, bayberry and other shrubs. We had a great time in Province town, enjoying treats from the Portuguese Bakery and returning with bags of T-shirts and souvenirs. After lunch we drove off the Cape and into Rhode Island. At Newport, we passed through the historic downtown along the beautiful waterfront. We decided that the huge homes along Ocean Drive were way beyond our reach. The highlight of Newport was touring the Breakers, the 70-room summer cottage built for the Vanderbilt family with expansive lawns and a wide view of the ocean. Our stay tonight is in an award-winning hotel in the area.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director
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