Cape Cod?

[Crankin]

Anyone who wants to meet in Concord, just let me know.

[IBrakeforPastry]

That's nice - thanks! I was going to pm you as the time got closer, just to ask about the different trails in the area. I'm still trying to work out the dates with my friend on the Cape.

[ny biker]

So our trip will be happening soon. Of course I've been too swamped at work to have much time to think about what I want to do while I'm there. I think my parents have been coming up with ideas. My mother mentioned a few things, but the only one I remember was visiting the Kennedy library.

We found a rental house in Plymouth. There's a pond behind it and a canoe is available. There's also another pond nearby with a beach that we can use. So I went swimsuit shopping for the first time in years. What an ordeal -- it's like shopping for bras that only come in one cup size. Most of the tankini tops are super low cut, the girls are practically falling out of them, and there's all this foam padding which surely must float if you try to go swimming. The only good thing is that swim shorts and skorts are widely available now, no longer just an old lady thing. After much consternation and and frustration, trying on suits at seven different stores, going up four sizes to finally find a top that isn't too tight across the back only to find that now the cups are way too big, I finally found one Nike tankini top that fits. Then I realized that most of the swim shorts and skirts come in navy or black but I need royal blue to match the new tankini. Luckily Land's End has a "cobalt" swim skirt that fits well and matches perfectly. After all this hard work I decided to order another one of their skirts in navy, since it would work for canoeing (or kayaking, which I'd like to try one day) with some of my cycling tank tops.

But I digress.

I think we might actually end up spending one or two days just hanging out at the rental house, since it sounds like a pretty nice place. And it will be nice to be able to cook some meals instead of going out for all of them.

Now that almost all of my pre-vacation shopping is finished (I also needed new sneakers, picked up some swim shoes on clearance at Sports Authority and sandals at Land's End, plus a small electric fan for my room since I'm pretty sure there will be disagreements about the thermostat setting for the A/C), I'm hoping to find some time to study the map and get a feel for where things are. I suspect we will be making/changing plans as we go. I'd better start watching the weather up there, too.

[IBrakeforPastry]

Hanging out at the rental house seems nice and relaxing. I just came back from the Cape a few weeks ago. I had planned to ride some of my old favorite routes, but it was kind of chilly. The friend I stayed with was a park ranger and knows all the "unknown" hikes, so instead of riding, I enjoyed some private "ranger-led" hikes. I didn't realize she would have so much free time, and I was happy to be able to spend time with an old friend. So keep your options open.

When are you going?

ETA: I went to the Kennedy Library a couple of years ago. I didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. I found it interesting to learn some of what went on "behind the scenes" of so many decisions and policies. I've since visited the Clinton Library in Little Rock (great bike path along the river, btw) and felt myself drawn in the same way.

[Crankin]

NY, it sounds like your rental will be peaceful! But, just to inform, Plymouth is *not* on the Cape. You have to go over one of the 2 bridges over the canal to be on the Cape, and just warning that can involve serious traffic on certain days/times. Plymouth has great restaurants, obviously the Plymouth Plantation, and even great riding in the Pinehills and Myles Standish State Park (hiking there, too). Hyannis (where the Kennedy Museum is) will take you about 30-40 minutes. That is about mid-Cape. If you want to see the lower Cape, like the National Seashore and Provincetown, just be prepared for a drive. Falmouth and Sandwich will be close for you. There is a fabulous glass museum in Sandwich, as well as the Heritage Plantation and Garden. Falmouth has a cool downtown and the only west facing beach on the Cape, Old Silver Beach. Go there for the sunsets. Take in all of the antique shops on Rt. 6A, between Sandwich and Dennis.

[IBrakeforPastry]

I wasn't sure if NY meant the Kennedy Library in Boston, or the Kennedy Museum in Hyannis. But anyway, I did a fast round trip bike ride on the canal path on my way home, starting at the Sandwich marina at the Canal Visitor Center. Most importantly, there is a great ice cream stand right at the entrance!

[Crankin]

I have done that path once. It is beautiful, but short.
I have never been to the Kennedy Museum in hyannis, but the library in Boston is awesome.