Weekend on the Cape

Our weekend getaway was to the Cape Cod a popular summertime destination in the neighboring New England state of Massachusetts.

Grenville was here to participate in the International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend (ILLW). Usually held on the third full weekend in August, this event attracts more than 500 lighthouse entries located in over 40 countries. 

The ILLW is one of the most popular amateur radio events. It's free, there are very few rules and there's no prizes for contacting large numbers of stations.

A ham radio friend, Randy, who lives in Nashua, NH, also went to Cape Cod to participate. They both set up at the Nauset Light. Grenville set up his equipment in the back of his car as shown in the photo above. He made over 20 contacts, mostly in the U.S.

The Nauset Lighthouse and Keeper's Cottage, which is privately owned

The Nauset Lighthouse Nauset Lighthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is on the Cape Cod National Seashore near Eastham, MA. Built in 1877, it stands 48 feet high and is made of cast iron with a brick lining. It was originally located in Chatham, MA, as a twin to one that's still there. When a smaller wooden lighthouse in Eastham was retired in 1923, this tower was dismantled, moved from Chatham to Eastham and reconstructed about 200 feet from the edge of the cliff near the relocated keeper's house. 

Grenville and Randy atop the lighthouse with one of the light keepers

In the 1940s, Nauset Light was painted red and white as a daytime indicator. In 1981, the Fresnel lens was replaced by two rotating aero beacons. Due to coastal erosion it was too close to the edge of the cliff. In 1996, when less than 35 feet remained, the Nauset Lighthouse was moved in one piece some 300 feet to a new site across the road adjacent to Nauset Light Beach. The light is owned by the National Park Service. It's leased to and maintained by the Nauset Light Preservation Society. Upkeep is entirely funded by donations. The lighthouse is open to visitors during certain times. 

Dirt bomb confection

We shared a dirt bomb this weekend in Cape Cod. It's a very popular confection. We shared one from the Cottage Street Bakery in Orleans, MA, as we'd already indulged in another treat before deciding to try it. Next time, we'll know better. The trick is to get there early as these treats sell out fast.. 

The Cottage Bakery in Orleans, MA, is well known for its dirt bomb

No, this is not to be confused with a dirty bomb, that's an entirely a different thing. This is an unusual name for a delicious treat described as a cross between a cinnamon sugar doughnut and a muffin. In the muffin world, this is the bomb, as in it's the best.

What exactly is it? A dirt bomb is a nutmeg-infused muffin that, still warm from the oven, is rolled in melted butter, then tossed in cinnamon sugar until generously coated. The “dirt” is the cinnamon sugar in which the muffins are rolled after baking. 

There's nothing definite on how the name originated. It comes from the original dirt bomb made at Bantam Bread Company in Bantam, CT. This family-owned business, started in 1996.

These colorful blooms were on the grounds of The Cove Motel, our weekend accommodation in Orleans, MA.

The Ice Cream Cafe was a short walk from the motel. Of course, we enjoyed our favorite treat.

This is a SOOC (straight out of cellphone) image captured yesterday morning from the motel grounds as we were leaving.

Cape Cod was popularized by Patti Page (the "Singing Rage") who was the top-selling female singer of the 1950s with a 1957 hit tune, Old Cape Cod. The tune was credited with putting the Cape on the map and helping to establish it as a major tourist destination. It's been hailed by natives as the "unofficial Cape Cod Anthem." Ironically, Page recorded the song during a day trip to NYC. She had never visited Cape Cod until after it was released and became a hit.

This is a celebration week for us — our 25th wedding 🥂 anniversary is upcoming. We're planning to celebrate all week an Nashua, NH, details to follow. Our special getaway will be in early October on a week-long trip to Tuscany.