As a travel writer, it’s all about the planning, the logistics. Of course, exploration is a major component of fun, but parameters need to be set. The hours of operation, cost, and location all come into effect. How can I best optimize my time by seeing each place on my list but still be able to enjoy myself enough to get a true handle on the destination? If kids are involved (which is typically the case for me) it gets even more logistical. At other times though, the unexpected takes precedence. This was true at the end of September on an unexpected Cape Cod (and Plymouth) day trip.
As a lover of the fall, sometimes I try too much to cram in all of my favorite fall activities each year. Truly though, I can’t fit in a visit to every orchard, stone wall, and country road in the region during this fleeting season. Jackie had an idea to go to the Cape on the last weekend in September. I was on the fence. I love the Cape, sure, but for the fall? Bring me to Central Mass!
I hesitantly agreed. She did, after all, find a few seasonal events.
Thornton W Burgess Museum and Green Briar Nature Center
I have been coming to the Burgess Museum and Jam Kitchen in Sandwich since I was a child. We took yearly trips to Bourne to stay with family friends and often visited here. The store was not open yet on our visit today, but it was a gorgeous autumn day, so we walked around the grounds. My son enjoyed roaming around, with views of the nearby pond. (Read about the past trip here)
Crow Farm
Passing Crow Farm in Sandwich, we decided to stop for an impromptu apple picking, an activity that we had yet to do during the season. Driving into Crow Farm, we parked our car in the dirt parking lot and proceeded to take the hayride up to the orchard. This apple picking experience was old-fashioned and a welcome respite from the overbearingness of some of the gigantic orchards in Massachusetts. The experience was pleasant and it was a beautiful view of Cape Cod Bay beyond the autumn colors of the orchard. It was a nice juxtaposition.
Doxie Day Fest
This was the most unusual event of our unexpected day. One of the two events that Jackie found when planning our day, this is a celebration of all things Dachsund, in the parking lot of the Barnstable prison (why not, right?). Hundreds of hot dogs, many that were dressed up, wiggled to and fro around the fair, with its vendors of all things dog-related. While I was there, the entertainment was provided by a ukelele orchestra singing and strumming the Banana Boat Song (Day O). I swear it was something out of Portlandia. (see video above, it’s a must)
Centerville Pie Company
All of those ukeleles and dachshunds making you hungry? Where did we go eat? Well, a pie company of course! Jackie and I got a small fruit pie to go, Danny ate a whoopie pie, and we took home a frozen meat pie. This Cape Cod institution is located in a strip mall on busy Route 28 in the Centerville section of Barnstable. It’s a small storefront. It looks like the restaurant part closed semi-recently. Every piece of pie eaten from here was really great.
Barnstable Fairgrounds Harvest Festival
Of all of the stops along the route, this was the most underwhelming. A portion of the large Barnstable Fairgrounds transformed itself into a harvest festival. There were a few farm animals, various vendors, fair food, and a handful of kiddie rides. It cost admission and given the small size wasn’t really worth it, but quite honestly my son loved the rides. That alone made it worthwhile.
Bramhall’s/Second Wind Beer Garden
After leaving the Cape, I was set to meet friends back in Plymouth for the Second Wind Brewing Company’s beer garden at Bramhall’s Country Store. On this date, they were releasing their Oktoberfest beer. The September sun emphasized the beauty of the day. Sipping beers with friends in such a serene setting like this in Chiltonville was unmatched and just plain fun (as was eating a dynamite lobster grilled cheese sandwich). Truly this was a perfect ending to a fun-filled and totally unexpected Cape Cod day trip.
For more Second Wind, check out these Backyard Road Trips articles: Top 5 Massachusetts Brewery Logos and Five Stops on the South Shore Beer Trail. A big thank you to Adam Mannar for the Bramhall’s photos.
