Cape Cod!

I have never been to Boston or Massachusetts for that matter.  So when we planned a family vacation to Cape Cod with both sets of grandparents and Taunte Meike, I reached out to my network for recommendations.  And boy did I get a few!  Dinner spots, brunch spots, best places for ice cream and lobster rolls, drive in movie theaters, wine tasting and plenty of beaches to check out.  The options were endless and overwhelming at the same time. 

And while the recommendations in theory factored in the “family” (aka toddler) element I will say this: travelling to new places with a baby is a different type of travelling.  With jet lag and a bedtime routine that was more than slightly off, dinners out were out of the question.  And with a baby that still naps for two hours in the middle of the day, sightseeing and checking out new things was a whole new experience.  Our days were split between the three hours post wake-up and breakfast and the four hours post nap, pre-dinner.  And in a place like Cape Cod where every beach was at least a twenty minute drive and arriving after 11am ensured a queue for parking, the trip was an exercise in coordination and planning.

In between all of the logistics however, we did manage to get in some really fun memories:

The week kicked off on Saturday afternoon with Oskar flirting with the ladies on the beach and embracing his European heritage by running around naked.

 

Naked baby, eating his apple while checking out the ladies.  What more could he ask for?

On Monday, we checked out the Highland Lighthouse where my dad met a local surfer and Oskar and I hung out the porch with Grandpa while the rest of the group completed the tour of the building and tower (Oskar failed to meet the height requirement for the tour).

Family fun at the lighthouse

We spent Tuesday afternoon wandering around Wellfleet, a cute little town north of our home base of Orleans that Martin discovered that morning on his bike ride with his sister and dad.  In town we met the owner of a beautiful Bernese Mountain dog (because Oskar loves dogs and most people love Oskar) who introduced us to the Flying Fish bakery for delicious pie.  I also discovered the hidden gem of Drift, a local home goods store where I bought a retail-therapy, recycled, organic blanket for Timber Cove.  And we rounded out the visit with a large scoop of ice cream which I shared with Oskar. 

Following the recommendation of the local at the lighthouse and her tips for beaches, Grandpa, Oskar and I watched the local surfers on Thursday try to catch a few waves at Nauset Light Beach while the rest of the crew checked out the Nauset Lighthouse and the Three Sisters Lighthouses. 

Martin was able to bike the bike path through the Cape and I was able to enjoy a morning of Yoga (but unfortunately no SUP due to rain). And Oskar had a great time checking out all of the beaches including Nauset Beach and Skaket Beach (his favorite). 

Raining day reading on the couch

Skatet Beach

And even with eating most meals at home, I was able to enjoy a lobster roll from Arnolds, clam chowder and a toasted coconut donut from Hole in One Coffee and a clam and garlic pizza (okay the last one we made at home, but it was still good!)

Three generations of Breuer's at Arnolds.  Oskar didn't like the Lobster Roll so he was kind enough to "share" with Martin.  

As for Boston, well I think I saw two hours’ worth of the city between my breakfast on the pier waiting for the ferry to Provincetown Saturday at the beginning of the trip and a walk through the Back Bay on Friday afternoon at the end of the trip.  

Oskar giving me the stink eye at the local cafe in Boston