Beauty in the Mist: A Day at Cape Cod National Seashore

The last edition of this blog saw the Harvard National Park Trust gang exploring historic Boston in classic Northeastern weather—what’s more New England than that? Well, we found something: exploring Cape Cod National Seashore in the same weather conditions. Sitting at the foot of the towering sand cliffs, one can’t help but realize why Bostonians have come here to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. It’s beautiful!

Our journey began at 6:30am sharp. After yet another classic New England activity – a Dunkin’ run – we pulled into the parking lot of Salt Pond Visitor Center. An informative chat with Ranger Bill clarified our hiking plans for the day: we would start on the Nauset Marsh Loop, take Doane Spur to Coast Guard Beach, walk along the shore for as long as we want, then backtrack our steps. In total, the trek weaved through six miles of the coastal forests, salt marshes, and sand bluffs that define Cape Cod.

In addition, we also stopped at a few cultural and historical landmarks. Nauset Light, the Cape’s most famous lighthouse (and the one on the chip bags), is not only an icon of Massachusetts, but also the terminus site of the first transatlantic telecommunications cable. Only a few years later, Guglielmo Marconi would surpass this with his own wireless radio transmission technology, which he also tested at the Cape Cod beach that now bears his name. Reading about how history has intertwined itself within the fibers of the land, it is hard for one not to appreciate America’s dedication to preserving and protecting places like these for generations. Thanks to the generosity of the National Park Trust, we are glad that we can be a part of that mission as visitors, stewards, and ambassadors alike.