I took advantage of the early release from clinic on Friday, and ventured out to Mid Cape. I spent the afternoon in nearby Barnstable, stopping first at Sandy Neck Beach--a pebbly beach with a lighthouse at the end, and miles of trails behind the beach winding through mountains of sand dunes. I have started quite a collection of sea shells, stones, and seagull feathers. By the way, the only thing cuter than seagulls is baby seagulls.
I headed next to the Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, which has 2.5 miles of nature trails through woods, marshes, and the coast. I didn't have the patience for birding, but I did enjoy the views.
Afterwards, I went to the village of Hyannis, passing through Main Street and making brief stops at the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory and the Cape Cod Beer brewery. I also walked around the wooded path at Hathaway's Pond.
Then I went to Veterans Memorial Park, which is home to the JFK and Korean War Memorials, in addition to a beach.

Just in time for sunset, my last stop of the day was Kalmus Beach. Another stunning panorama.
I started off Saturday with a long run of 21 miles. I followed the Shining Sea Bikeway to Woods Hole, where I found a bell tower and garden across the street from a church. The almost-secret niche had beautiful harbor views. It was a chilly and windy day, but I was not the only runner out and about. It made me wonder if they were all Boston Marathon runners.
In the afternoon, I returned to explore more of Mid Cape--this time driving to the town of Chatham (about an hour away from Falmouth). First, I went to the Monomy National Wildlife Refuge. Many visitors come here to birdwatch while walking the nature trails through marshes and sand dunes. I found it interesting that part of the trail along the coast must be timed correctly with the tides; if you try to go during high tide, you will be forced to take an alternate route further inland.
After my walk, I made a stop at Maps of Antiquity off Main Street--a quaint home filled with antique maps of the entire world. They were far out of my price range, but it didn't hurt to look! Next, I went to Chatham Lighthouse Beach, where I learned that great white sharks swim in the waters there.

I spent the rest of the day next door in Dennis. Here I checked out three beaches, the first of which is called Mayflower Beach.

Third, West Dennis Beach.
The rest of my day was spent on bicycle, as I made the 44 mile round-trip trek along the Cape Cod Rail Trail from Dennis to Wellfleet (Lower Cape). The bike shop owner underestimated my ability to complete the entire route, similarly to the owner at the shop last weekend when I biked the Shining Sea Bikeway. I was quick to accept the challenge and prove both men wrong. Strategically layered in two of everything, I even managed to stay warm!