Jeff Shaw

Cape Cod Rail Trail Expands in Wellfleet

by Jeff Shaw

The Cape Cod Rail Trail extension at LeCount Hollow Road. Photo credit: Ellen Shaw.

The Cape Cod Rail Trail, one of the most popular recreational attractions for visitors and locals on Cape Cod, keep growing. For decades, the 26-mile, paved recreational path passed through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet (with an extension or spur trail to Chatham). But a vision to connect the current Cape Cod Rail Trail all the way west, to the Cape Cod Canal as well as all the way east, to Provincetown, is more likely than you may think.

In 2018, a 3.7-mile extension to the west opened a new trailhead at Higgins Crowell Road in Yarmouth. Plans to extend the trail further to Mary Dunn Road in Barnstable are underway. Though grainy, this map, courtesy of Friends of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, shows the most updated route and future expansions.

The author at the Higgins Crowell Road trailhead in Yarmouth in 2020.
Photo credit: Bob Shaw.

New in 2022, the first mile of a two-mile extension in Wellfleet opened. That first new mile connects the LeCount Hollow Road trailhead to Bittersweet Farm Road, near Wellfleet Hollow Campgrounds. Apparently construction of the second mile of the two mile extension is stalled after public outcry.

Interestingly, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation previously approved a 14-mile shared use path along Route 6 from Main Street in Wellfleet to Shore Road in Truro. Already a preferred biking, running and walking route, Shore Road in Truro parallels Route 6 where it is squeezed by Pilgrim Lake and Cape Cod Bay. The actual sections of the 14-mile shared use path are still being debated.

On the other end of Cape Cod, there are plans to connect the Cape Cod Canal Recreation Path with the Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth. Completing this project would create about 24 miles of uninterrupted trail on the Upper Cape running from Sandwich to Woods Hole. Sounds like a North to South Cape Cod Rail Trail (24 miles vs 30+ miles, respectively)!

Also new, the Old Colony Rail Trail, that previously mentioned extension or spur trail, connecting Chatham and Harwich trail sections, is planning to install a bicycle repair station near Brooks Park (in Harwich) in the fall. The station will have tools on hand for bicyclists to make minor repairs. Additionally, the town is seeking to install a hydration station to refill water bottles, especially helpful, not to mention, an efficient use of time on longer rides. Finally, be on the lookout for Bernie Meggison, a seasonal ranger on patrol and local bike celebrity to answer your questions.

So yeah, there may just be a future where you can walk, bike, run, rollerblade or even skip in delight, the entire length AND width of Cape Cod!

June 17, 2022

Visit All 10 Cape Cod Baseball League Parks in One Weekend

by Jeff Shaw

The distance between the teams located farthest from one another is 47 miles. Photo credit: Google maps.

The month of June is known for many things; graduations, maximum daylight, outdoor concerts and endless replays of Alice Cooper’s Schools Out [for summer]. But on Cape Cod, the month of June means the beginning of a wonderful tradition and summer rite of passage: the Cape Cod Baseball League.

If you need a refresher, ten teams located between Wareham (just off-Cape) and Orleans, (Lower Cape), compete annually in this officially NCAA sanctioned summer league. (Though, as many books point out, the origins of organized baseball on Cape Cod are local and amateur.) Most professional scouts love to be assigned to the Cape League because of the concentration of teams. As an example, the distance between Wareham and Orleans, the two farthest outposts of the 10-team league, is a mere 47 miles. Conversely, teams in leagues in larger geographical areas may be separated by 47 miles each!

Indeed, closeness and geography makes the Cape Cod Baseball League special. So why not see for yourself and visit each team’s ballpark this summer? Below is a plan to do just that…in a single weekend. You read that right, it can be done:

Double Header Weekends. The weekends of June 17-19 (Father’s Day) and June 24-26 both have double headers on Sunday. The earliest double header begins at 2pm (at Cotuit) and the latest double header begins at 5pm (at Chatham). Meaning you can easily catch three complete games and probably see even more games if you only stay for a few innings and move along. Watching three complete games sounds like the ultimate ‘summer catch’ [Cape League-based movie pun intended]!

Last Weekend. The July 29-31 games are the last regular season weekend games. If you are savvy, you can catch games (heading East) at Hyannis (6pm) Harwich (6:30pm), Orleans (6:30pm) and Chatham (7pm) on Friday; start Saturday in Brewster (4pm) and then proceed West to Wareham (6pm—crossing the bridge should be okay on a Saturday), then head back over the bridge and down to Falmouth (6pm). On Sunday, start in YD at 4:30pm, then head West to the second half of the Cotuit game (4:30pm) and then the middle of the game at Bourne (6pm).

Unique Game Locations. Four Cape League teams will travel off-Cape for regular season game play. The first game between YD vs. Hyannis will be Wednesday, July 20 at 11:00am at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford, home of the Class AA Hartford Yard Goats, affiliated with the Colorado Rockies. The second game between Bourne vs. Wareham will be Monday, July 25 at 6:45pm at Polar Park in Worchester, home of the Worcester Red Sox. And of course, don’t forget the All-Star Game on Saturday, July 23 at 6:00pm in Wareham.

Pinned locations of all ten Cape Cod Baseball League teams, color coded by West and East Divisions. Photo credit: CCBL.

Below are the addresses to the fields of all ten teams.

Fields: https://gatemen.org/schedule/directions-to-ccbl-fields/

Brewster Whitecaps (Eastern Division)

Stoneybrook Elementary School, 384 Underpass Rd, Brewster, MA 02631

Chatham Anglers (Eastern Division)

Veteran’s Field; 702 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633

Harwich Mariners (Eastern Division)

Whitehouse Field; 75 Oak Street, Harwich, MA 02645

Orleans Firebirds (Eastern Division)

Eldredge Park; 78 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653

Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox (Eastern Division)

Red Wilson Field; 210 Station Avenue, So. Yarmouth, MA 02664

Bourne Braves (Western Division)

Doran Park, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne

Cotuit Kettlers (Western Division)

Lowell Park; 10 Lowell Avenue, Cotuit, MA 02635

Falmouth Commodores (Western Division)

Guv Fuller Field, Main St., Falmouth Center

Hyannis Harbor Hawks (Western Division)

McKeon Field; 120 High School Road, Hyannis, MA 02601

Wareham Gatemen (Western Division)

Clem Spillane Field, Rte. 6, Wareham Center at 54 Marion Road and Viking Drive

June 3, 2022

Train Travel on Cape Cod

The iconic Edaville Steam Train in a winter wonderland. Photo credit: Bob Shaw.

By Jeff Shaw

Early Cape Cod vacationers were mostly limited to one way to access the Bay State’s salty outpost and sandy shoreline: trains. It is widely known that railroads opened the West to exploration, settlement, expansion and eventually, statehood. The railroad had a similarly transformative impact on Cape Cod, from sparsely populated farming and fishing villages, to a world renown summer vacation destination. President Grover Cleveland would agree. The railroad, quite literally, put Cape Cod on the map.

Even today, trains remains a secret weapon against the growing congestion of cars, buses and trucks around both Bourne and Sagamore Bridges as well as bustling town centers. To skip traffic jam mayhem, consider riding the rails.

The proof, perhaps legacy is a better word, is the Cape Cod Rail Trail bikeway, which largely follows the old railroad bed that once-upon-a-time connected the Cape Cod Canal all sixty-plus miles to Provincetown, with spur lines to a few communities, such as Chatham and Falmouth.

While the original tracks and trains are long gone, train travel still exists to and on Cape Cod. It’s worth checking out!

The Cape Cod FLYER offers weekend train service from Boston to points southeast to Hyannis from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

CapeFlyer

Operated by the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, the CapeFLYER is seasonal, weekend train service from Boston and points southeast. The service runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from South Station Boston to Hyannis, with stops in Braintree, Brockton, Middleborough/Lakeville, Wareham Village, Buzzards Bay, and Bourne.

Prior to the pandemic, ridership had been growing steadily since the service launched in 2013. It is little wonder why; service includes free Wi-Fi, wheelchair accessibility, pets and bikes ride for free and oh yeah, no Canal-related traffic delays. As a bonus, reservations are never required and extra coaches are also added for holiday weekends.

New in 2022, the train departs a bit later than past service; 5:42pm from Boston arriving in Hyannis at 8:20pm in time to allow passengers to make the last Nantucket ferry, which departs at 8:40pm.

Service begins next week, on Friday, May 27, Memorial Day weekend. Note: On Sunday, May 29, the service will be free to active military and veterans.

Cape Cod Central Railroad

The Cape Cod Central Railroad offers scenic train rides across 27 miles of track from Hyannis to Buzzards Bay. The scenic train rides are narrated and programs geared toward a mix of adults, children and/or families.

My better half posing with the Octoberfest spread during a fall scenic train ride.
Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

The headlining programs include Cape Cod Dinner Train (fine dining), Sunday Brunch train (family brunch), Polar Express Train Ride (holiday-themed with a visit from Santa Claus). In 2015, an Octoberfest ride was also offered over two weekends. To the surprise of some, Cape Cod has a fall foliage, too!

Edaville Family Theme Park

Just off-Cape in Carver, Edaville Family Theme Park operates a Steam Train. It’s probably been three decades since I’ve been on ‘Engine 5 or 21 or ‘insert number here’, but recall it was nothing short of magical in December, especially with snow on the ground. Indeed, as seven or eight-year-old, I was captivated by the wooden figurines of holiday characters; Frosty the Snowman, reindeer, elves, and of course Santa Claus, lining the snowy woodlands along the tracks.

*The author playing conductor prior to riding the Steam Train in a winter wonderland at Edaville, circa 1988. Photo credit: Bob Shaw.*

So next time you are mulling a Cape Cod adventure, head to the train station. It feels good to acknowledge Cape Cod’s transportation past, by supporting its railroads of the present and future.

May 19, 2022

Dozen National Register of Historic Places in Chatham

by Jeff Shaw

A few months ago, the Cape Cod Chronicle published a list of all twelve Chatham landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places. Familiar locations include Chatham Lighthouse & Coast Guard Station, Eldredge Public Library, Marconi-RCA Wireless Receiving Station and the Chatham Railroad Museum & Depot. Locals and regular visitors would also recognize the old Calico Cat Building, one of the more unique buildings in Chatham’s Old Village Historic District.

But there are also lesser-known historic gems worth a visit. Some of these locations are actually hidden in plain sight, while one will require a boat ride and pre-approval to visit. Here you go:

Half Way House

“Perhaps the most unusual of the town’s National Register listings, the Half Way House, was originally located off Andrew Harding’s Lane along Chatham Harbor [near Chatham Lighthouse]. The small shed was used by members of the U.S. Lifesaving Service as they patrolled the beach; it was called the “Half Way House” because it was halfway along the patrol route. It was also probably used as a shelter by shipwrecked mariners. The town’s historic inventory form lists the date of construction as around 1870. It was moved from Chatham Harbor to Forest Beach when threatened by erosion in 1991. The privately-owned shed is now used for storage and was added to the National Register in 1978.”

For the Chatham Marconi Wireless Antenna Challenge fund-raiser, I created a 5-mile running route beginning at their historic campus and ending at the old transmission site at Forest beach. It recently dawned on me having completely overlooked the Half Way House! Finishing in front of the 1870 structure would have been equally as [historically] satisfying.

Location: Forest Beach (west side of parking lot)

Godfrey Grist Mill

“Built in 1797 by Col. Benjamin Godfrey, a Revolutionary War officer off Stage Harbor Road, it was moved to its present site off Shattuck Lane, at the rear of Chase Park, in 1955 after it was donated to the town by Stuart Crocker. The mill has undergone numerous restorations and is historically authentic. During the summer, a crew of volunteers give tours and grind corn, just as the mill has done during its 225-year history. The mill was added to the National Register in 1978.”

Located between downtown Chatham and Oyster Pond, Chase Park is somewhat tucked away in the middle of a residential neighborhood. You can easily miss it when driving along Cross Street. It’s worth a stop.

A few years ago, I coincidently found myself in the park during a windmill demonstration. Indeed, my appreciation grew for living (well, surviving) in colonial times after seeing the windmill in action. Indeed, good things take time.

Additional notes about Chase Park: a labyrinth is located in the far end of the park (behind the windmill). Also, across the windmill parking lot is a bocce or croquet lawn open to the public. Chase Park also hosts a variety of seasonal craft fairs and other outdoor events.

Location: Shattuck Lane, Chatham

Monomoy Point Lighthouse

“Originally established in 1823, the existing lighthouse and keeper’s house were built in 1849 near the south tip of South Monomoy Island when it was a thriving maritime community. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1923, and came under ownership of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the creation of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in 1944. It underwent extensive restoration in recent years and solar power was added. The keeper’s house is used by the refuge to house summer interns monitoring the island’s extensive tern colony. It was added to the National Register in 1979.”

Admittedly, I’ve never set foot in, on or around Monomoy Point Lighthouse. I have passed it by boat over the years and always read articles about the various summer programs maintaining, staying (overnight) and surveying the area. There is something awe-inspiring of having a seat at the end of the [Cape Cod] world, where the rowdy seas of Nantucket Sound and the Atlantic Ocean meet.

Location: Southern Tip of Monomoy Island

*The backyard of Chatham Railroad Museum and Depot at sunset. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.*

Other locations hidden in plain sight:

Port Royal House

Location: Downtown Chatham, next to Seaview Street

Brick Block

Location: Downtown Chatham, next to Chatham Bars Avenue

Mercelia Evelyn Eldridge Kelley House

Location: 2610 Main Street, South Chatham, near Morton Road

Louis Brandeis House

Location: Judges Way, off Stage Neck Road (off Cedar Street), Chatham

Finally, while not listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a dozen or so additional historic landmarks can be found in Chatham. Historic Chatham is another good reference.

May 9, 2022

Shoe Pole on Tubman Road, Brewster

by Jeff Shaw

On a recent drive to Mayflower Beach (bay side), I spotted a curious sight. Something you surely have seen before, perhaps in your neighborhood; discarded shoes. But these pairs were not merely abandoned on the side of the road, they were nailed neatly to a telephone pole!

As most locals, insiders, and GPS afficionados may know, Tubman Road in Brewster is a wonderful short cut to Route 6A from Chatham. The intersection of Route 137 and Route 6A tends to back-up from vehicles attempting to turn left on the bustling Kings Highway. Drivers and bikers alike can avoid the slog and exhaust fumes by barring left just after the Cape Cod Rail Trail crossing near Ferretti’s.

This curious “shoe pole” can be found along a wooded area about a quarter of a mile from the Brewster Sportsman’s and Civic Club. My first theory attempted to connect the shoes and the gun range, perhaps target practice fodder. Alas, most of the footwear appear in remarkably good shape.

About three dozen shoes hang, sadly, like a Christmas tree in February. Sagging and out of place. To continue with the analogy, the “ornaments” range considerably, from flip-flops, to hiking boots, to running shoes, of all sizes and colors. If the shoes didn’t have a nail hammered through the toe box, they would probably be eligible for donation.

Theory #1: The shoes were targets from nearby Brewster Sportsman’s and Civic Club. Doubtful.

As for the backstory, details are thin. As in non-existent. My half-ass internet research (a term of endearment coined by Bill Simmons of the Rewatchables Podcast) revealed a similar footwear telephone pole in Perkins, Missouri of all places. Sadly, there was no obvious connection to Cape Cod. Yet another theory debunked.

Interestingly, there have been past attacks on telephone poles in Brewster. Just last summer, a FedEx truck “struck one pole, toppled another and damaged a third while knocking out power for over 200 neighbors.” Fortunately, the driver was not injured and no pedestrians were involved in the accident.

The scene of an accident between a FedEx truck and telephone poles, about four miles from Tubman Road. Photo credit: CapeCod.com

That incident happened at Slough Road at James Burr Road, over four miles from Tubman Road, so a FedEx related theory is also unlikely.

So, three thin theories, all of which have been debunked. Looks like local intel will be needed to solve the mystery. Otherwise, the shoe pole will just remain a curious sight along a short cut to Cape Cod Bay.

April 4, 2022