Cape Cod - Discovering new beaches!

A cold blustery day awaits on Lewis Bay!

How I love to visit Cape Cod -- this magical island that juts 70 miles into the Atlantic--especially in fall, when one might expect a little bit of everything!!

This trip I held my breath as the pilots managed to navigate through a wild wind-tossed landing to arrive on an unusually warm summer-like day.  Then I welcomed sheets of rain (remember, it's REALLY dry in Colorado and rain is a cause for celebration!) followed by sunshine, pure blue skies, crisp autumn temps which was followed by July-like heat that preceded a tropical depression that brought swirling thunderstorms together that shut down power to most of Cape Cod for hours.

During that storm, map in hand, we navigated new roads to discover beaches new to us and waiting for us alone!  (It might have something to do with howling wind, blowing sand and rain squalls!)

South Beach, a new beach to me, looks toward Martha's Vineyard
and is located in the Mashpee area.

With each visit to Cape Cod, my friend Carol and I explore familiar and favorite areas (which, of course, includes some shopping) as well as exploration of new areas and beaches.

While we have successfully visited quite a number of beaches, there are SO MANY beaches still to be discovered!!

Like snow fences in Wyoming, beach fences attempt to hold back drifting sand.

A winding sandy path leads to another part of South Cape Beach State Park.

A long wooden boardwalk connects the parking lot to the beach.

Hello Tropical Depression!

The tropical depression brought crazy wild winds with blowing sand and crashing waves--even to Lewis Bay and Seagull Beach, normally so quiet on the southern portion of Cape Cod facing Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds.

Had to take a selfie as Carol stayed in the safety of the car and I couldn't wait to brave the elements to attempt to stand on the beach!!

Lewis Bay, near Yarmouth, MA.

Seagull Beach, Yarmouth's largest beach.

Carol is a remarkable navigator.  Armed with an intensely detailed map of Cape Cod (that baffles and stymies me continuously) we persistently try the indicated routes (often barely visible on said map) and with a lot of luck and Divine Intervention, we usually find our intended destinations-destinations often exceeding our highest expectations!

That was my reaction to our discovery of Duck Harbor Beach, outside of Wellfleet, which is the only Wellfleet beach that isn't located on Wellfleet Harbor.  I know, confusing.

A path of powder-fine sand leads up a dune toward Duck Harbor Beach.

Duck Harbor Beach faces out onto Cape Cod Bay and from here one has a terrific view of Provincetown.  

It's been described as the "best sunset beach," and I would agree.  

Our timing couldn't have been better.  We arrived just as the sun was setting and, to our astonishment, had it all to ourselves!

Although tricky to find, Duck Harbor Beach is worth every wrong turn to get here!!

I love the remote beauty of Duck Harbor Beach, especially on a cold, post-storm evening, at sunset where the light turns everything magical.

Duck Harbor Beach, my NEW favorite Cape Cod destination...at least, until my next visit and safari to explore even more.