Category Archives: Travel

From Sand Dunes to Shark Apps

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Old Cape Cod, just as Patti Page imagined it — dunes, salty air, and a quiet stretch of shoreline that still remembers how things used to be.

Old Cape Cod: From Sand Dunes to Shark Apps

If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air,

Quaint little villages here and there…

You’re sure to fall in love with old Cape Cod.

Patti Page sang those words in 1957, and the song didn’t just become a hit — it reshaped the Cape’s identity. That gentle, dreamy portrait of a sleepy peninsula helped launch Cape Cod into the national imagination. Tourists followed, then developers, and before long those “quaint little villages” gave way to strip malls, big‑box stores, and summer traffic that can test the patience of a saint.

But one thing never changed: the beaches. Crowded or not, they’re still the Cape’s heartbeat. And if we take a little walk through time, we can see just how much this place has transformed since Patti Page made musical history.

A Peninsula Born of Ice

Cape Cod is a hooked, sandy arm stretching 65 miles into the Atlantic — the leftover handiwork of the last Ice Age. It’s narrow in some places, wide in others, bordered by Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, and the waters of Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds. For centuries, life here revolved around the sea.

Nantucket, in particular, was once the whaling capital of the world. From the late 1600s through the mid‑1800s, whaling was its lifeblood. But as regulations tightened and the industry declined, Nantucket reinvented itself as a quiet retreat for the wealthy — a transformation that still defines the island today.

Preserving the Cape

On the mainland, conservation took center stage. In 1961, the federal government created the Cape Cod National Seashore, protecting miles of shoreline from development. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge followed, safeguarding critical habitat for birds and marine life.

Then came a turning point: In 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act granted federal protection to seals.

That’s when the Cape’s story took a dramatic turn.

The Return of the Great Whites

As the seal population exploded, so did interest from a very different kind of visitor. In 1975, the blockbuster Jaws gave the world a fictional taste of shark‑infused terror — but it also foreshadowed reality. Over the next few decades, great white sharks began returning to Cape waters in growing numbers, drawn by the booming seal colonies.

The shift became undeniable on September 15, 2018, when Arthur Medici, a 26‑year‑old from Revere, was fatally attacked while boogie boarding at Newcomb Hollow Beach. It was the first deadly shark attack in Massachusetts since 1936, and it marked the beginning of what many now call the new Cape Cod.

Today, great whites are summer regulars. We have:

  • Spotter planes and research boats
  • Electronic shark‑detection buoys
  • Beach warnings near seal haul‑outs
  • And yes — an app for that. The Sharktivity app lets you track shark sightings in real time.

Even whale‑watch boats report seeing sharks, and whenever a whale carcass washes ashore, you can bet the great whites will arrive shortly after.

And they’re not alone. In 2025, a fisherman off Mashpee reported the Cape’s first confirmed tiger shark sighting. Offshore charter captains share videos of sharks stealing fish right off the line. There’s even shark cage diving now — something once associated only with South Africa or Australia.

A Personal Note: The Cape’s Own Shark Celebrity

The Cape has its own celebrity in Dr. Greg Skomal, author, marine biologist, and the face of modern shark research in Massachusetts. He’s been a champion of the great white’s return and a pioneer in tagging and tracking them. You’ve probably seen him on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, leaning over the bow of a boat with a tagging pole in hand.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting him and hearing several of his presentations. He’s charming, funny, and completely approachable — the kind of scientist who makes you feel like you’re part of the adventure. The sharks couldn’t ask for a better advocate.

Is This Still “Old Cape Cod”?

Somehow, the Cape feels less like Patti Page’s quiet seaside escape and more like a place where nature has reclaimed its throne. The dunes and salty air are still here, but the cast of characters has changed. Tourists still flock to the beaches — but so do apex predators.

Cape Cod isn’t sleepy anymore. It’s wild, unpredictable, and very much alive.

And maybe that’s part of its magic.

 

The Day Roswell Landed on the Map

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“A glowing disc‑shaped UFO hovering in a dark, misty night sky, shining bright green beams of light onto the ground below.”

Seventy‑nine years ago today, on July 8, 1947, the Roswell Army Air Field casually announced they’d recovered a “flying disc.” Just tossed it into the news like someone found a lost hubcap in the desert.

By the next day, the Army said, “No no, wait — it was a weather balloon.” And that was the moment America collectively raised an eyebrow and said, “Sure it was.”

That tiny headline didn’t just make the local paper — it put Roswell, New Mexico on the map. Before the “crash,” it was a quiet desert town. After the “crash,” it became the Alien Capital of the World, complete with:

  • UFO museums
  • alien‑themed diners
  • green‑skinned mascots
  • and an annual festival that looks like Comic‑Con met Area 51

All because someone typed “flying disc” before their morning coffee.

The whole modern UFO craze — the sightings, the documentaries, the late‑night radio callers, the government cover‑up theories — traces back to that one moment in 1947.

And decades later, The X‑Files summed up the entire Roswell vibe with its iconic slogan:

“I want to believe.”

Roswell still does. Do you?

 

Tours, Guides and Travel as We Age

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endangered gray wolf

Checking In on the Wolf Hollow Plan

Hi All, Just a quick update on the Wolf Hollow adventure. I’ve been communicating with the Boston branch of GoWithGuide, and I now have contact information for three local guides. I just need to reach out and see what they have to say about a trip to Wolf Hollow.

Rethinking How I Travel

I’ve been thinking a lot about tours and guides. As an older person, I’ve sort of come to the conclusion that if I get back to traveling, it will probably be with senior tours or groups — and I have mixed feelings about that.

I’ve always liked exploring on my own. I don’t enjoy those organized “cattle call” tours where the guide marches you through a set itinerary. If there’s something you want to see and it’s not on the list, too bad. And I’m not sure how much wandering you can really do on a tightly scheduled tour. You know me — I like getting photos that are a little different from the typical tourist shots.

A Great Experience With a Small Guided Tour

We used a tour guide when we went to Pearl Harbor. It wasn’t GoWithGuide — I didn’t know about them at the time — but it was a small group. My sister and I were dubbed “the Sisters.” Our guide entertained us with stories about the morning of the raid and pointed out where the Japanese planes flew in. It gave us a great background before we reached the memorial.

Once we arrived, he turned us loose with a meeting place and a time, so we had plenty of freedom.

Afterward, he even offered to take us to a food truck the locals used. That was fantastic — and an experience we never would have had without a guide.

Why GoWithGuide Caught My Attention

GoWithGuide isn’t just a U.S. company. They’re international. One country I’d love to visit is Ireland, but I always assumed I’d either be stuck on a group tour or forced to learn to drive on the wrong side of the road. Ireland is famous for its tiny, winding roads, and that alone put me off.

Knowing I could have a personalized tour with a local guide opens up the possibilities and makes the idea so much more appealing.

Learn more about GoWithGuide’s personalized tours

It feels like the perfect solution for someone like me — someone who wants the freedom to wander but doesn’t know the territory.

What Comes Next

So next step: asking those Boston guides whether they’re brave enough to take me to Wolf Hollow. If they say yes, it’ll be the perfect chance to try out this whole “personalized tour” idea and see if it really is the right fit for someone like me who loves to wander but doesn’t know the territory.

Affiliate Disclosure

This post contains affiliate links. If you book a tour through my link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, I only share services I genuinely think you’ll enjoy.

 

San Marino: The Tiny Country Hiding Inside Italy

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A Place I Somehow Missed on the Map

Every now and then, I stumble across a place that makes me stop and say, “Wait… how did I not know this existed?” San Marino is one of those places.

It’s a whole country — a real one — perched on top of a mountain and completely surrounded by Italy. If you blink at the wrong moment on a map, you’ll miss it. Honestly, it looks like someone dropped a medieval fortress onto a cliff and said, “Yes, this is fine. This is a nation now.”

And I kind of love that energy.

A Republic Older Than Most Things in My House

San Marino claims to be the world’s oldest republic, founded in 301 AD. That’s older than most countries, older than most buildings, and definitely older than my patience when Banner decides 3 a.m. is parkour hour.

From everything I’ve seen, San Marino feels like stepping into a storybook:

  • Narrow stone streets curling up the mountain
  • Three dramatic towers guarding the peaks
  • Views that stretch all the way to the Adriatic Sea
  • A pace that seems slower, quieter, and somehow untouched

It’s the kind of place where you wander without a plan and let the scenery do the talking.

The Passport Stamp Moment (and a Few Fun Facts)

I’m not exactly an international traveler — I’ve technically been to Canada (Vancouver, Montreal, even the Yukon) and I’ve been to the Bahamas, but neither ever felt truly international to me. Mexico was the big one, my first real “I left the country!” moment — so the idea of collecting passport stamps still feels like a novelty to me.

One of the quirkiest things about San Marino is that you can walk into the tourist office and get your passport stamped — not because you need it, but because it’s fun. And honestly, how often do you get a stamp from a country that’s only 24 square miles with a population of around 34,000 people?

It’s tiny. Like, “you could accidentally walk out of the country while looking for gelato” tiny.

But that’s part of the charm. It’s small enough to feel intimate, but dramatic enough — perched on Mount Titano — to feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy novel.

What I’d Do If I Ever Found Myself There

Since I haven’t been (yet!), this is pure daydreaming — but here’s what I imagine:

I’d start at Guaita Tower, the most iconic of the three, because if you’re going to climb a mountain country, you might as well start with the dramatic stuff. Then I’d wander to Cesta Tower, which apparently has a weapons museum. And even though Montale Tower is closed to the public, I’d still stare at it like a tourist who wants to climb everything.

Then I’d find a café with a view — preferably one where I could sit outside, sip something warm, and pretend I’m a character in a European novel.

If You Go (Someday… Maybe I Will Too)

  • Bring your passport — you don’t need it to enter from Italy, but you will want that novelty stamp.
  • No visa needed if you’re already in Italy; San Marino is visa‑free for tourists.
  • There’s no airport — the closest is in Rimini, Italy (about 30 minutes away).
  • You’ll likely arrive by bus from Rimini or by car if you’re road‑tripping.
  • Wear good shoes — this is a mountaintop country; everything is uphill, downhill, or both.
  • Plan for a day trip — though staying overnight means you get the towers all to yourself after the crowds leave.
  • Bring a camera — the views stretch all the way to the Adriatic Sea on a clear day.
  • Expect slow, scenic wandering — this is not a “check off 12 attractions” kind of place.

And whoever gets there first has to tell all. I’ll be waiting to hear from you while I plan my own dream trip.

 

 

Massachusetts. First in Ideas, First in Innovation

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Massachusetts Wasn’t First… Until It Decided to Be First in Everything

Jamestown may have gotten the early bragging rights in 1607, and the Pilgrims didn’t step onto Plymouth soil until 1620 — and then, just ten years later, Boston was founded in 1630. And once Massachusetts finally entered the race, we behaved exactly like Golden Tempo: lally‑gagging along at the rear of the pack for a while, just taking our sweet time… and then in the home stretch, POW. Look out world, here we come.

Some places take centuries to build a legacy.
Massachusetts took about five minutes.

And once we hit our stride? We didn’t just join the party — we started inventing half the things in the room.

🌳 1634 — Boston Common: First Public Park AND First Botanical Garden

People remember the “first public park” part.
Almost nobody remembers the “first botanical garden” part.
And here’s the kicker: the botanical garden portion sits on reclaimed marshland — Boston literally reshaped the landscape so people could stroll among curated plantings. We were cultivating beauty before most cities even had sidewalks.

💡 1716 — Boston Light: First Lighthouse in the United States

Before America had a country, Boston was already lighting the way. Built on Little Brewster Island, Boston Light guided ships into the harbor starting in 1716.

And when the British evacuated Boston in 1776, they didn’t leave quietly. They blew up the original lighthouse on their way out — a dramatic “if we can’t have it, no one can” exit.

In true Massachusetts fashion, we rebuilt it.
Stronger. Taller. Ready for another few centuries of service.
Boston Light. Still Standing, Still shining

Boston Light on Little Brewster Island

🔫 1775 — Lexington & Concord: The Shot Heard ’Round the World

And then came the big one — the first that changed everything. On April 19, 1775, in the quiet towns of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts fired the shot heard ’round the world and officially kicked off the American Revolution.

The first battles.
The first resistance.
The first spark of a brand‑new nation.

Massachusetts didn’t just make history — we started it.

🍫 1765 — First Chocolate Factory… and the Cookies That Came Later

Long before Hershey dreamed up a chocolate bar, Dorchester was grinding cacao and running the first chocolate factory in America. Massachusetts was sipping hot chocolate while the rest of the colonies were still figuring out how to boil water.

And many years later, just down the road in Whitman, Ruth Wakefield would bake the very first Toll House cookies — the chocolate chip cookie that changed dessert forever.

Hot chocolate and fresh‑baked cookies.
Massachusetts really understood the assignment.

🏖 1896 — Revere Beach: First Public Beach in the U.S.

Revere Beach wasn’t just a place to swim — it was a radical idea: the shoreline should belong to everyone. America’s first public beach, right here in Massachusetts, proving once again that we don’t just make history… we make it accessible.

A detailed sand sculpture of the U.S.S. Constitution on Revere Beach, surrounded by carved crates and barrels, with beachgoers and the ocean in the background.

🚇 1897 — The Tremont Street Subway: First Subway in America

Boston didn’t just build a subway — it built the first subway in the United States. The Tremont Street Subway opened in 1897, whisking commuters underground while other cities were still arguing about horse‑drawn traffic.
Boston Transit-First in the Nation, Last to Arrive

🪒 1901 — Gillette’s Disposable Razor: A Shaving Revolution

King Camp Gillette wasn’t born a mogul — he was a traveling salesman with more ideas than money, always tinkering, always trying to solve everyday annoyances. One boss once suggested he invent something people would need to replace often — the kind of product that keeps customers coming back.

Gillette took that seed of an idea and turned it into a whole new way of shaving. Instead of sharpening the same blade forever, he imagined a razor with thin, inexpensive blades you could swap out and toss. Safe, simple, and endlessly replaceable.

It was the birth of the disposable razor — and honestly, the birth of the “use it, replace it, repeat” model long before today’s built‑in obsolescence became standard in everything from appliances to earbuds.

Gillette didn’t just change grooming.
He changed how America buys things.

📸 1948 — First Polaroid Camera Sold in Boston

Edwin Land unveiled his instant camera at Jordan Marsh, and when the photo developed right in people’s hands, the crowd gasped. Boston didn’t just witness the moment — it was the moment.

 

☕ 1950 — First Dunkin’

Our Dunkin’ addiction officially began in Quincy in 1950, when the very first shop opened its doors. Back then it was called Open Kettle, but the idea was the same: coffee, donuts, and a way of life.
Is it any wonder America runs on Dunkin.

And that’s the thing about Massachusetts…

We may not have been the first to arrive, but once we got moving, we became first in everything that mattered — from chocolate to coffee to beaches to botany to photography to shaving your face without slicing it open… and yes, even the Revolution.

We weren’t early.
We were excellent.