Month: August 2024

One of the best vacation spots I’ve been to in recent years is most certainly Cape Cod, known as “the Cape” to regional travelers and those who live there all year round.

In case you’ve never been or heard about it, the Cape is a 68-mile stretch of sandy beaches in the shape of a scorpion’s tail that is part of Massachusetts’ mainland. From Plymouth, MA, home of the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock, it’s about an hour and 15 minutes to the Cape’s first of many quaint villages. The Cape can be enjoyed on the Atlantic Ocean and the bay side, Cape Cod Bay.

The last time I was on the Cape was in 1996, so you can imagine returning did not feel like I had returned at all. Back then I had only spent two days somewhere in the middle of the Cape and can’t even remember where. So, curiosity and adventure awaited me and my friend.

Packed with Natural Beauty

This treasure trove of natural beauty and history stretches between Chatham and Provincetown. It offers 40 miles of sandy beaches, peaceful marshes, sparkling ponds, rolling dunes, and lush woodlands. You’ll discover historic landmarks like lighthouses and charming seaside cottages.

Restricted Zone protects the eastern coast of Cape Cod and overlaps with the Cape Cod Sanctuary. Certain activities are off-limits here, including building structures on or beneath the seabed, drilling, and extracting sand, gravel, minerals, gases, or oils. Dunes, marshes, pines, and woodlands make each beach area unique.

Very Different from Our Everyday Landscape

I went with a girlfriend and stayed at an Airbnb in Plymouth. That was a wise decision as it took us a little over an hour to go to Boston, where we spent days one and nine, eating our way through the North End’s Italian restaurants.

That’s because where we are currently based, in Austin, Texas, there are NO good Italian eateries. Another reason is that my travel buddy and I are both from the NY/NJ region, where Italian food is to us what BBQ is to Texans.

Old New England Is Alive in This Part of the Country

With town names such as Sandwich, Yarmouth, Barnstable, Eastham, and Chatham… you get the idea. Furthermore, the ever-present white picket fences adorn lawns surrounded by English styled-gardens. We saw lush greenery from so many trees: pitch pine, black oak, white oak, hemlock, red maple, beech and the famous Cape chestnut tree.

In summer, the two-lane roads and Highway 6A are flanked by trees, and there are no billboards or cheap roadway fast-food restaurants. Thanks to the Kennedys, the entire cape is a protected heritage area.

Seafood Lovers Paradise

As my friend and I traversed the Cape, we discovered three exceptional restaurants highlighted below.

Tugboats at Hyannis Marina

What makes a great restaurant? The saying goes, ‘Location, location, location’. Tugboats definitely has that, right on the Hyannis Marina overlooking a bay, lit at night to create a halo of star-like illuminations for as far as you can see. You can sit inside in one of two areas: a cozy wood-paneled bar with high-top tables or the main dining room.

We chose the third and best area, outside on the deck. Brimming with life, music from a DJ, and buzzing with people of all ages and from all walks of life, we felt as if we were in a seafood nightclub. It was dark by 9:00 pm, and the owner, an extremely amicable and service-oriented fellow (generations have worked in the business) ensured the customers were cared for. The tables were crowded together as this place is super popular, with so many mouths to feed. We found out why there was so much fuss.

I had the freshest steamer clams, pearly white and thick, rich in brine with drawn butter. They were lukewarm, but the owner swept by and assured me he’d deliver a new batch, which he did – and then some. He added more to the order, and it was beyond worth it.

My friend had the lean duck drizzled with a pomegranate sauce and veggie dish. Still, here, you can eat any of your seafood favorites, as everything is caught daily – from lobster to clams, whole belly, colossal shrimp (you cannot get these if you live in the south where Gulf shrimp rule), and stuffed quahog, a big favorite in these parts.

For more information and to make a reservation, visit https://tugboatscapecod.com or call (508) 775-6433. Located at 11 Arlington Street, West Yarmouth, MA 026

Encore Bistro & Bar

Located on the property of the Cape Art Museum and Playhouse, this artsy enclave features one of the best dining establishments on the cape. Granted, we did not eat everywhere, but for nine days, we had ample opportunities to indulge for lunch and dinner.

With a section on the menu called Shares, single portions are also quite generous.

Service is excellent, as in any 1-star Michelin casual dining establishment. Although they do not have a star, I’d give them one for quality, presentation, atmosphere, and service; from the manager to the maitre’ d to the server, we wanted for nothing.

I had the clam chowder, followed by the most original shrimp scampi in a lemony butter sauce with succulent jumbo shrimp, the likes of which I haven’t seen anywhere but on the East Coast. From seared scallops to crab and artichoke dip, lobster cake (dump the crab cake and try this) to a six-ounce fresh lobster roll, you can’t go wrong here.

For more information, visit https://encorediningcapecod.com or call (508) 385-8500. Located at 36 Hope Lane, Dennis, MA 02638

Snug Harbor Fish Company (Fresh Seafood Merchant)

Gourmet-quality seafood is what you can expect at this local fish market. All the fish here is freshly caught to order and made on the spot for your convenience. Cute metal chairs and picnic tables with umbrellas outside the shop provide respite for lunch. If you want to imbibe, buy a bottle of Prosecco next door, as we did, to enjoy with your lunch.

I had the lobster roll served cold. It had chunky bits of the best part of the lobster, a light lemon and mayo blend, and slaw on the side on a roll that wasn’t buttered. In fact, those buttered rolls ruin the taste of the crustacean by a mile. We indulged in fresh oysters and Atlantic salmon and shared a swordfish sandwich the size of a three-story house. It was the perfect blend of casual with excellent quality.

For more information, visit https://snugharborfishcompany.com or call (781) 934-8167. Located at 459 Washington Street at the Sweetser’s Building, Duxbury, MA 02332.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you been to a special travel location? Did you like the food there? Why or why not? What can you suggest to our readers?

You would think by the time we reached 60 we would have it all figured out. There wouldn’t be a single thing that fazed us or we thought we couldn’t handle. We have experienced so much, made thousands of decisions, some good, some not so good. We have laughed and we have cried, but we have always got through, and somehow reached the other side, even when we started off thinking it was impossible. 

All the Answers?

And here we are now, wise, knowledgeable, experienced through the decades of life, and with all the right answers to every problem that ever will be… 

Oh, but wait, you don’t have them all? 

Well, neither does anyone else! Even those who are incredibly clever, or who live to be a hundred. In truth, we never will. Life just keeps on giving us more problems to solve, and one way or another, we solve them. It is the very essence of the journey, and though we may think we would like life to always be on an even keel, the reality is, solving problems is how we learn and grow, and it is an essential part of living.

Just Take the First Step

Sometimes the problem may seem too hard, the mountain too high, and we may feel overwhelmed by the thought of what lies ahead of us. Perhaps a divorce, serious health issues, the loss of a loved one, money worries? But if we break it down into manageable pieces, we can take one step at a time, and just keep on going. Before we know it, we are halfway there.

When I feel a little overwhelmed by a situation, I often think of this quote from The Horse, The Boy and The Mole:

“Can you see the next step?”

“Yes.”

“Then just take that.”

Manageable Pieces

Imagine you have lived in a large house for many years and are downsizing. To look at sorting and packing everything at the same time could totally overwhelm you. But if you break it down into floors, rooms, or even cupboards, it suddenly becomes more feasible.

The same is true for health. If you have a health problem that seems insurmountable, breaking it down makes it much easier to cope with. Perhaps dividing it into the number of treatments, or the weeks or months ahead. Maybe even planning a treat or celebration for when it is over.

Make Your Wishes Known

We can also take steps to address other things that we find ourselves delaying. I am just finishing putting together an ‘End Of Life’ file for when I am no longer around. I put it off for a long while because I thought it would be morbid and make me sad, but in reality, the opposite has happened.

I no longer worry that my loved ones will have to make decisions at a time when they may be sad or grieving. They won’t need to rummage for my birth certificate, bank details or passport, because they are all safely stashed away in my file. I have also added one of my favourite poems, some music and written a little article that I hope will make them smile :). They will know my wishes.

The one thing we all know when someone is born is that, at some point, we will die. Yet many of us sweep it under the carpet, perhaps thinking it will go away, often leaving the people who care about us with the task of guessing what we would want. Of course, I hope I am around for many more years to come, but I feel so much better knowing this is done.

Accept the Challenge

So whatever challenges lie ahead, both good and bad, don’t fear the unknown. Often, we cannot change things, even if we want to. Accept the challenge and take that first step, then another and another, and before long you will be boldly going where you haven’t been before, and who knows where that could lead to?

Join the Conversation:

Do you procrastinate too much? How do you tackle difficult issues? Have you made an ‘End Of Life’ file?

My previous Sixty and Me blogs on travel for the over-60 crowd covered travel trends, why we travel, and where to travel. In this installment, I’ll dig into how to get to and from your travel destination and options for getting around when you’re there.

Getting There and Back

How you get to and from your destination varies on where you’re going. A trip under 200 miles will probably involve ground transportation. For longer distances, air travel becomes more of a consideration.

Driving

Many travelers will opt to drive a personal vehicle since it usually costs less and is convenient. Another advantage is being able to go door-to-door compared to other alternatives. Nevertheless, for some people, the thought of hours of “windshield time” is a real turnoff, while for others, a long road trip is just what they’re looking for.

What about the wear and tear on your personal vehicle? Maybe renting a car makes sense. Most car rental companies offer unlimited mileage and one-way rentals. It pays to do the math to see if renting would work for your situation.

Another option for driving yourself is a recreational vehicle (RV). During the COVID pandemic, RV demand was high. This led to high prices, long waiting lists and a scarcity of used RVs. Now, demand is less intense. Many pandemic buyers have sold their rigs, which could mean good deals on the used RV market.

Bus or Train

Bus and train travel rates have declinedover the decades. The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that around 90% of pleasure travel over 50 miles from home is by personal vehicle. However, train travel is making something of a comeback in some markets. Check out the rail options if you have the time and want a different travel experience.

Air

Travel by air has roared back since the pandemic. However, all is not rosy for travelers. Service quality has declined, and massive cancellation waves have hit the industry in the last two years. Nevertheless, with prices falling, travelers will continue to fill the planes. Consumers who want to save money should still follow the tried and true methods of booking early, considering flexible travel dates and destinations, and looking for perks like air miles benefits from using credit cards.

On the Water

Another way to get there and back is on the water, although for most pleasure seafarers, the destination is the ship. Cruises are more popular than ever, with companies launching ever-larger vessels. Cruise lines have committed themselves to higher cleansing and disinfection standards to ease passenger fears about the risk of disease outbreaks. Some cruise lines even offer “ship-within-a-ship” accommodations. These are self-contained areas accessible only to the passengers who book these special arrangements for higher fees.

European river cruises originated in the mid-1960s as a novel way to visit cities on the continent. Since then, they have grown to be a global phenomenon. For example, Mekong River cruises in Southeast Asia and Nile River cruises in Egypt have been introduced.

Getting Around at Your Destination

What are your transportation plans if you are not driving yourself to your destination? Having a good sense of local transport options will heighten your experience. Here are some transportation alternatives.

Rental Car

This provides the greatest flexibility since you can come and go as you please. However, this might not make sense if your daily transportation needs are low, if you’re nervous about driving in a foreign country or if there are ample public transport alternatives.

If you need a car sometimes, hourly renting or car sharing might be an option. Hourly renting is available from companies like Zipcar, which allows vehicles to be reserved via an app. The renter picks up the car in a designated spot, only pays for the time used and returns it to the same spot.

Another option is car sharing, where Individuals or companies offer vehicles that renters can reserve through a car-sharing platform. Turo is one of the best-known examples.

Taxis and Ridesharing

Cars for hire can be an easy way to get around, depending on availability in an area. However, services like taxis and Uber might be limited if you’re traveling in rural locations.

Public Transportation

Travelers sometimes dread the thought of using public transportation in an unfamiliar location due to perceived language barriers and a lack of understanding about how the system works. However, in many locations today, smartphone technology makes getting from point A to point B using public transportation much easier.

Walking or Biking

Human-powered travel like walking or biking might be a great way to get around at your destination. For those who don’t relish the exertion of bicycle, e-bikes have exploded in popularity, making it easier to get where you want to go on two wheels.

 Biking and walking can be the best way to see the sights. When making travel plans, look into the “walkability” of your destination. That way, your own two feet might be your best means of transport.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you travel? Do you choose your destination based on how close it is to home? What travel options are most convenient to you? Do you use public transport at your destination?

Sometimes it’s hard to muster up fortitude to achieve a goal. Of course, lifestyle choices like eating nutritious meals and committing to a daily exercise routine can provide the energy needed to function on a daily basis. But these positive resolutions may not be sufficient to sustain the long-term stamina required to realize lifelong aspirations.

Obstacles are sure to surface when you’re pursuing your divine purpose, and you’ll need more than steamed vegetables and a rowing machine to get you where you want to go.

Inner strength is a requisite that cannot be overlooked if you’re serious about your goal.

How can you continuously develop spiritual tenacity in order to endure the trials ahead? How do you maintain a can-do attitude in the face of adversity? Here are some ways to help you endure, grow, and remain resilient through demanding seasons.

Fresh Prayers May Encourage You to Keep Going

If you maintain an ongoing spiritual practice, you are already on the right track. However, spiritual rituals sometimes need updating. What worked last year may not be effective now. Is it time to refresh a few pieces of your practice?

For example, if you’ve memorized affirmations and are reciting the same ones by rote over and over until they’ve become devoid of passion, consider speaking unscripted words from your heart each morning for all your tough situations. This slight shift engages you in the moment, and the result can be energizing.

Gratitude Keeps You Humble While Maneuvering Obstacles on Your Path

You’ve probably heard this many times, but I’d like to reiterate the benefit of regularly expressing gratitude. I have discovered that when I am thankful for the wonderful gifts that unexpectedly pop up out of nowhere – as well as appreciate the challenges on my path – I remain humble and open to growing and learning.

I often say that epiphanies usually occur in my mess. Looking back over unpleasant periods, I now recognize that they either showed me something essential about myself of which I was not aware, or they revealed a better solution. Without those setbacks, I would not be set up to appreciate my bountiful blessings today.

Breath Training Enables You to Stay Centered During Stressful Stretches

How often do you practice deep breathing? Deep breathing is an intentional way to promote the mind, body and spirit connection, and bring balance and peace to your life. However, for best results, I encourage you to mix things up a bit.

Periodically, try a different deep breathing exercise and see if it opens you up to more creative options. Diaphragmatic, or deep belly breathing, is my favorite practice. But I do occasionally switch to the 4-7-8 method and the alternate nostril breathing technique, which can support whole brain functioning.

Variety refreshes my spirit and brings awareness to the power within. Being in a relaxed mode tends to reduce stress, enhance my focus and promote an overall feeling of wellness.

Reaching Out to a Trusted Friend or Family Member for Support May Lighten Your Load During Seasons of Uncertainty

Remember, we never get where we’re going without the help and guidance of others. Don’t be reluctant to request a human hand. Some may think asking for help is a sign of weakness, but actually, seeking assistance demonstrates your willingness to be your best. And just as we benefit from someone in our corner, the reverse is true.

In other words, you can also be a blessing by offering to support a friend on his or her journey. Kindness and compassion build confidence in your own daily dealings and promote love and joy. I like to think of the reciprocal acts of giving and receiving as the leading living art form.

A few years ago, when I was enrolled in Advanced Consciousness Studies, I developed a sacred relationship with the instructor, and she became my first spiritual counselor. Since we belong to the same faith community and share similar interests, it has been a rewarding experience. We both enjoy our chats, and at the end of each session, I feel empowered.

Biographies, Memoirs and Biopics Can Be a Welcomed Source of Inspiration

I especially enjoy immersing myself in the achievements of ordinary women doing extraordinary things. Learning about women in their 60s, 70s and beyond who are using their life experiences to lift others, expands my perspective on determination and fortitude. These enlightening narratives offer hope and inspiration, and underscore the importance of trusting and believing. There are enough remarkable stories to fill up every day of the week and could possibly become your favorite nighttime activity. Retiring for the evening with a positive message on your heart has the potential to transform your thought processes.

Inner Strength Is Akin to Inner Wisdom

Success in any area of your life takes time to manifest, so be patient. Do your part and turn the rest over to Spirit. Some – or all – of the practices I’ve discussed may help you nurture a deeper connection to the world around you, while bolstering your personal resolve. Incorporating these strategies into your daily routine cultivates inner strength and positions you to wisely wield your power. Stay in faith, dear one, and keep your dream alive.

Questions for Our Readers:

Describe your spiritual practice and share how it has helped you achieve success. How do you maintain a can-do attitude when a situation seems discouraging?

Since that time when (wo)man started to think, philosophers have pondered the meaning of life and waxed long and eloquent about it. But to me, none are as eloquent as the sage spiritual teacher Ram Dass who observed, “We’re all just walking each other home.”

Ram Dass is an American spiritual teacher and the author of the 1971 book Be Here Now. Ram Dass was, of course, referring to our spiritual journey, the walk each one of us makes through life that eventually leads us back to our Source.

It’s important to acknowledge that some people believe death means fading into nothingness. Still, most religious traditions do believe in something after this life.

Even if you do not believe in life as a spiritual journey or an afterlife, the concept of walking each other home is important. Ram Dass reminds us that we do not go through life alone.

Whether we’re with family, chosen family or friends, most of us interact with others every day. We keep company, so to speak, and mutual support is what binds us together.

With a Little Help from Our Friends

We truly do “get by with a little help from our friends.”

While success is defined individually, the one thing that seems universally true is that making the most of life requires us to be of service to others. Whether it’s a parent raising children, a friend being with another in a time of need or donating to the homeless, life calls upon us to reach out a hand to those who need it.

In that respect, life is both personal development and a spiritual journey.

When I worry that compassion is in short supply, I have only to remember my friends who volunteer at soup kitchens or work with the victims of domestic abuse.

I think of others who, suffering from disease themselves, reach out to help people in the same position. I consider service groups and scouting groups and those who sit with lonely residents in nursing homes.

When I look around, I see so many examples of people I know who really are walking each other home and in the process, growing themselves.

I’m 73. I thought that by now I’d be relaxing in my golden years, after several decades of a business career. But instead, I answered a call to do something different: to support others in their time of need with products and services.

It wasn’t what I expected to be doing at this time of my life. But with more years behind me than ahead, I felt the need to use my talents and skills to help others.

When I look around, I see others in my age group doing the same thing. Perhaps it’s because many of us came of age in the 1960s, when the gentle concepts of peace, love and brotherhood were in the air – I don’t know.

Dealing with the Challenging Times

These are challenging times all over the world; sad and painful times. For me, though, I find that simply remembering that we’re all just walking each other home, helping each other in a lifelong journey, makes these difficult times easier.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How are you reaching out to help people in your community? Who did you recently walk home? Please join the conversation below.