When planning a visit to Cape Cod there are truly a hundred different ways to enjoy oneself. I am fortunate enough to have grown up going to the Cape every summer and the magnificent memories I have accumulated over the years will last me a lifetime, forever bringing me back to this really breathtaking place.

In the more recent years few years my family and I have been gearing up for Cape Cod summers beginning as early as March, ensuring we get the sought after beach passes for our car to be able to drive onto the magnificent sandy beaches. When the sticker finally arrives in the mail there is always great joy and excitement, knowing that another sun drenched season is just around the corner. That soon we will be loading up the car, with our dogs and delicious food; driving on to the beautiful Cape Cod seashore, spending our days amongst the seals, whales and of course a glass of rosé.

Race Point Beach has become one of our favorite beaches to visit in 2016. It is located on the National Seashore, on the tip of the outside “arm” of the Cape.

No matter how many times we visit, we are always in awe of the beautiful drive up and onto to the beach through the magnificent sand dunes. I cannot compare the feeling I get when I roll down my window as we’re driving through the dunes and the fresh, lightly salted sea air blows through the car. It’s like pure magic.

Just as we’re about to pull onto the beach we pass a beautiful and historic black and white lighthouse, Race Point Light. Then suddenly we see the shimmering ocean from the top of the dunes. Driving down the dunes and onto the beach it’s now time to claim our spot on the beach, alongside the other equally delighted Cape Cod beach goers. 

Finally, after about 20 minutes, we’re all unpacked, sun umbrellas are up and it’s time to relax… well, and eat, because let’s face it, we’re Flatterys and that’s always a priority. Now is usually the time we take the dogs on a leisurely walk along the water’s edge, so they can dip their paws in the crystal clear ocean and cool off (yes, we are aware that we own possibly the most spoiled dogs in the world, but they totally deserve it!) Following the walk, we enjoy round two of the donuts we’d have picked up that morning at the amazing, Donut King, in Quincy, MA. 

The following several hours are filled with the combination of naps, laughs, food, rosé, reading, seal and whale sightings; brave swims in the always cooler than expected water and just hours of overall unadulterated bliss. 

Dinnertime rolls along and it’s time to break out the grill. Being Flatterys, it’s never just hot dogs and hamburgers. It’s usually something along the lines of grilled vegetables, ribs, grilled polenta, a beautiful salad and various dressings/spreads. We always travel and eat in style. 

In or about 7PM, we slowly and somewhat sadly begin to pack up the car and say our goodbyes to the beautiful view. I suppose the word “view” doesn’t quite capture it… this is where the word vista needs to be used. In no hurry to head straight home, we take the scenic Route 6A. We stop for ice cream along the way, because your dessert stomach is obviously a different stomach from your regular food stomach. We love going to JTs in Chatham, or the Ice Cream Smuggler in East Dennis, (the list is endless). The staffs at JTs are always incredibly friendly and even offer FREE doggie ice cream (a small vanilla ice cream with a dog treat in it).  Just as we finish our delicious cones, the sun begins to set and we begin our return trek home. Our Cape Cod beach day coming sadly to an end; but immediately the planning begins for our next one.