Tag: Eric williams

[One Particular] Harbor Lights Mini Golf, Brewster

by Jeff Shaw

The best view on “Underpants” Road. Photo credit: J. Shaw

A new standard has been set in the latest edition of mini golf on Cape Cod – and it’s happening in Brewster. [Sorry Yarmouth, which I previously described as the Mecca of Mini Golf.] Move over tidal sand flats, historic sea captains homes and acres upon acres of conservation lands, and make way for the best of Brewster – 18 holes of the most legit mini golf on Cape Cod one could imagine. (Well, not exactly, this version is likely platinum)

But first, some jest. For close to a decade, I chuckled every time I passed by Harbor Lights Mini Golf. The laughter had nothing to do with the golf course, and everything to do with the name of the road on which it is located – Underpass Road. Swap the first letter “s” and insert the letters “nt” and voila, you have Underpants Road! This comical gem was first uttered by beloved Eric Williams, of Cape Cod media lore/story telling fame (my personal favorite; and of course the Cape Cod Fun Show) – and locked onto my inner middle-schooler humor. The joke still holds strong.

A legit practice green. Photo credit: J. Shaw

Clothing references aside, as readers may recall, mini golf is serious business on Cape Cod. Competition aside, Harbor Lights Mini Golf is doing it right and others, please take note.

Beer and Wine is Available for Purchase! (Ice Cream, Too)

While this may appear counter to “family friendly,” variety is nice. (And may help you eke out a victory if your competition is a little tipsy on those trickier holes.) The suds also softens the blow of the screaming that follows a say, 5-year-old inevitably hitting their ball into the koi fish pond. Wondering where to place your beverage when it is your turn to putt…

Mini bar tops are “truly” a legit amenity. Photo credit: J. Shaw

Mini Bar Tops at Each Hole!

…fear not, there is a mini bar top at each hole! Speaking of holes…

Holes Numbers 6 and 10 are Legit!

No need to spoil the surprise, but remember, it’s just mini golf. Actually, it’s not just mini golf, it’s big business. So much so…

Harbor Lights Apparel is Legit!

Sunday red felt appropriate for bookend holes-in-one. Photo credit: J. Shaw

…they sell branded sweatshirts, t-shirts and best of all, hats! Pricey sure, but my oldest made not just one hole-in-one, but two holes-in-one, “bookends” on the round (Holes #1 and #18). [Fast forward two months, we were playing at Pirate’s Cove Mini Golf (Yarmouth location) and one of the staff at the counter commented how cool his hat is and that they (the local franchise) want to sell hats but corporate isn’t into it yet (paraphrasing).] Of course the oldest could not go home empty handed after that stellar performance. But it wasn’t too much of a hit to the wallet because…

Cash Discount!

Harbor Light offers a cash discount, the equivalent of the credit processing fee. Now sure, 3% of $30 or so isn’t too much for a single transaction. However, it will add up once the Mini Golf Masters weekly league night debuts!

I could not fathom a better location for such an event.

October 13, 2026

Dreaming to Ski the Highest Peak of Cape Cod

One of few images of 304-foot Pine Hill, located in Camp Edwards, Massachusetts Military Reservation, Bourne. Photo credit: Wikipedia.

March 7, 2022

By Jeff Shaw

I’ve been thinking about skiing a lot lately. Mainly because I’ve been doing quite a bit of it. As of today, my two sticks have carved turns 24 days, in six states, at 23 different ski areas across the northeast. Those sticks – more commonly known as skis – have literally been my ticket to ride this winter. But not on Cape Cod.  

As you probably know, there are no ski areas on Cape Cod. Proximity to the coast, lack of elevation and geography are not good enough ingredients for an environment to produce and hold snow. To be sure, there are plenty of trails, golf courses and other open spaces that transform into cross country ski or snowshoe paths when the fluffy stuff drops. But for those of us ‘downhill diehards,’ a two-hour drive is needed to find the open slopes. 

All of this skiing and snow fun made me wonder, was downhill skiing ever a thing on Cape Cod? I mean, the ski boom of the 1940s and 1950s couldn’t have completely missed Cape Cod, did it? Nor’easters rarely do. Someone must have cobbled together a make-shift rope tow on a small hill or even on their inclined backyard. Sadly, my “half-ass internet research,” a phrase coined by Bill Simmons of the Rewatchables Podcast, produced nothing. Nada. Zilch. 

According to the New England Lost Ski Areas Project, Massachusetts has 172 lost ski areas — none of which are located on Cape Cod. The closest lost ski areas to the Cape Cod Canal are in Braintree (former Abell Ski Slope) and North Attleboro (former Sunrise Ski Slope) at 47 miles and 45 miles, respectively. In terms of terrain, Abell Ski Slope was, true to its name, one slope, with a 50-foot vertical drop, serviced by a 500-foot rope tow. Sunrise Ski Slope, also had one slope, with an approximately 140-foot vertical drop, serviced by a J bar. 

This downhill dead end made me ponder potential ‘backcountry’ woods or hills that could support a rough and tumble downhill schuss.  So, I typed “highest elevation on Cape Cod” into the online abyss that is the internet. The results were not encouraging. Though, there may be a super slim reason for optimism. First, let’s learn a little bit about the highest elevation on Cape Cod – Pine Hill in Bourne.

Let’s not bury the lead. Pine Hill cannot be skied. The hill is located on the grounds of the Camp Edwards portion of the Massachusetts Military Reservation. Access to it is restricted, not only because it is on a military facility but because it lies at the rear of an artillery range! Yeah, not a good place to carve some turns.

According to earlier reporting by Eric Williams of the Cape Cod Times, pre-COVID, the public can visit Pine Hill, but must arrange advance permission through the base’s Public Affairs Office (PAO). A PAO escort leads visitors over several miles of roads to a range station on a rise near the hill. I was unable to find the current visitor policy on the Massachusetts National Guard website, but you can call or email the Guard here. 

Pine Hill, rising 304 feet above sea level, is the highest natural occurring elevation on Cape Cod. It is a vast wildnerness, thick with trees, bushes and brush with no view of the sea or valley below. Interestingly, just up the road on the same hill is Wheelock Hill, a man-made bump that measures 306 feet above sea level, just edging out Pine Hill. The area surrounding it is 15,000 acres of pitch pine oak forest with expansive views of the sea. Both locations are almost twice as tall as Scargo Hill in Dennis, sometimes thought to be the highest point on Cape Cod.

In terms of that earlier mentioned super slim reason for optimism. Other than the road near it, the Pine Hill area has remained mostly undeveloped. Avoiding man-made obstacles is a good start for any for any downhill skiing. 

Further, in 1999, former governor Paul Cellucci tried to convert the area into a state conservation area, but dropped the plan after the military objected.

Perhaps a former 10th mountain division member can talk to the fine people who run Camp Edwards and create a mini-version of the famous Thunderbolt Ski Run at Mt Greylock in western Massachusetts. After all, the name of the highest elevation on Cape Cod is Wheelock. That coincidence must be a sign that downhill skiing on Cape Cod is “a lock” to happen (and admitted pipe dream of the author).

In the meantime, if you know of any hills that hosted downhill skiing or operated a rope tow (for sledding, tubing, etc.) on Cape Cod, please let me know!

Keep Summer Alive in September

Last spring, when the weather was warming and excitement for summer was brewing, I read an article by Eric Williams, Cape Cod Times, (and one of my favorite Cape media personality) arguing that June is the best month on Cape Cod. Yes, June is one of the best, but I put it in second place. For me, it’s all about September. 

Don’t get me wrong, our reasons are nearly identical. The months of June and September:

  • Avoid the enormous crowds of July and August, 
  • The weather is still warm for outdoor living, 
  • Daylight still lasts until after 7:00 pm and 
  • You don’t have to pay to park at town beaches. 

But after “pond-ering” (a nod to Eric Williams kettle pond adventures) a little deeper, I am convinced that September reigns supreme. Whether not you agree, I hope you’ll join me on my quest to K.S.A…keep summer alive!

(1) Seasonal Festivals. Sure, the classic summer outdoor experiences (town band stand concerts, Cape League baseball games and parades) are done for the season, but that just means space is open for fall festivals. Festival events occur every weekend, some run for multiple days and happily continue into the winter. Like, this past weekend was the 13th Annual Doxie Day! How can you beat that?!?

The 13th Annual Cape Cod Doxie Day was held in Barnstable on September 25, 2021. My lovely wife won the Octoberfest raffle prize.
Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Enough Daylight. No question, June daylight pushes the 9:00 pm envelope and that is fantastic. But September daylight still lasts beyond 7:00 pm, just enough time for 9 holes of after-work golf. 

“Lobster-Doxie,” during the costume parade at Cape Cod Doxie Day.
Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

No Crowds. Visiting families with school-aged children, college students and tourists have all returned home. Unless you are going to Mac’s Seafood on a Friday night, you won’t have to worry about crowds or parking this time of year. While staffing shortages certainly pose(d) challenges- and showed the ugly side of inpatient visitors, sadly – businesses (say, restaurants) are well in rhythm by the end of the season. 

Who said you can’t swim in September (26) at Cockle Cove Beach, Chatham? Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Water Still Warm. The ocean, bay and ponds are still warm, though cooler air will greet you upon your water exit. Need proof? My home base – Ridgevale Beach – and the iconic Snack Bar operates food and sailboat rentals through mid-October. 

The Ridgevale Beach, Chatham, salt marsh with Buck’s Creek Bridge in the distance. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Stickerless Beaches – with dogs! Now is the time to visit any beach you ever heard about. All town beaches stop checking for parking passes on Labor Day, and most allow dogs back on the beach in September.  

What’s your favorite month on Cape Cod?