Saturday, August 21, 2010

daycation staycation


Hyannis, MA

This summer with money being a little tighter than usual, we have been planning daycations (or is it staycations?) or as we called them when I was growing up: daytrips.



Living in Rhode Island, we're not far from coastal destinations like Newport or Cape Cod. With just over a week remaining until school starts, we have kicked day trips into high gear lately. Thursday we headed for Cape Cod.



For those of you far from New England, Cape Cod is a seventy mile long penisula with fifteen townships stretching eastward from Bourne to the tip at Provincetown.



We started our day walking around the busy Main Street of Hyannis (part of Barnstable). We had lunch, the boys rode a carousel and played at the arcade, I searched for the beloved junky seashell souveniers of my childhood, and then we took a tour of the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory. {Two free bags of chips per person. Not too shabby!}



Heading from lower to mid-Cape, we rode go-karts and drove by Chatham Lighthouse, before stopping for a late seafood dinner at family-casual Kreme and Kone in West Dennis. My oldest is proudly displaying a piece of his fried calamari in the photo above. I ordered my summer fave: a lobster roll. {Easy on the mayo next time!}



I asked for extra placemats. So cute and somehow very Cath Kidston -- all red, blue and slightly kitschy! Would it be crazy to frame one of these?



After dinner we continued on Route 28 to my new favorite town on the Cape, pretty Chatham.



We stocked up on candy for the ride home. Then it was back to scenic Route 28 for another go-kart ride and even more souvenier shops until we reached the highway -- arriving home just after midnight. A great day.


NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND


The following day we were off to Newport. We strolled Thames Street for more shops, sweets (this time -- ice cream), and even more arcade games.



We also visited a portion of Cliff Walk, which offers amazing views. Coming up: A Red Sox game courtesy of Aunt Gretchen (thank you)!

Today my guys are visiting an armory museum. As for me ...



I plan to do some blogging ketchup aka catch-up on reading blogs!



And maybe make some of these so it looks like I didn't spend my entire day on the computer ...

Where do you like to visit on your daycation-staycations?

xo
elyse

46 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Oh-It looks like you had a wonderful time. I do love a good lobster roll! YUM!!! It looks like you are having fun before school starts.

When we do Staycations we go to Door County, WI (google it-it's beautiful) or we go to the UP of Michigan around Lake Superior. Sometimes those are the best vacations of all, aren't they? Diana

Tammy said...

Oh, they sound like perfectly awesome day trips. How wonderful! I say frame away. A reminder of lovely times. I'm having pajama days and enjoying them immensely. Best wishes, Tammy

Elyse said...

{SO MANY pajama days around here, tammy!}

Anonymous said...

Wow - it all sounds so fun! :)

We haven't taken any vacations or daycations in years. Building the house & saving $$$ to finish up the inside decor has us staying home. But hey - the view is sweet! :)

Enjoy your weekend, Elyse!!!
Zuzu

Brenda Pruitt said...

Anywhere within two hours. I'm a "day traveler." More than a day and I get antsy. Like to sleep on my own pillow in my own bed.
Brenda

Melinda said...

We go all over--living on the border of KS and MO as we do we have a lot around us to see and do.
Kansas City, Parkville, Weston, Westport, Brookside and Independence all on the MO side.
Then there is the KS side. Needless to say we can stay busy!

Melinda

Scrap for Joy said...

How wonderful to be able to be just hours away from the Cape. We love it there...Chatham, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket..all of it. We have been lucky to have some real trips this year and in September will be driving to Rehoboth Beach Delaware for some R&R. It will be great to sit on the beach (even if we have to wear sweats), smell the ocean and walk the boardwalk. Of course lots of seafood will be eaten! That's our idea of true relaxation. Of course our kids are grown and gone so it's different...we can go off-season...when it's quiet. Love it!
Loved your pictures Elyse!
xoxo
Joyce

Claudia said...

You know I am the most jealous of the Red Sox game. Lucky you! We did this kind of thing a few years back. One day trips to fun places - and we really enjoyed them.

Oh and Cape Cod chips are my favorites!

xo
Claudia

Jill said...

Your "daycation" sounded (and looked) wonderful!! What a great destination to have nearby. I'd have to say one of my favorite daycations is the foothills-- California Gold Country. Lots of antiques, beautiful scenery. Napa is only an hour away, and San Francisco is just under two hours away. I love both areas, but somehow I just don't get over there as often! I'm going to have to change that!
Hugs,
Jill

Kit said...

Oh what a great idea! I love day trips! We took one yesterday to a Lakes area and stopped at a beach I haven't been to in 7 years. Then ate a local cafe which has the best pie. Apple Huckleberry! Such a lovely drive. Kit

shabby*vintage*dreams said...

Great Idea!!! Looks like youve been to some wonderful places!!! I think Im going to steal that idea and do the same with our family!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

You live in such a pretty area. I loved Newport. When I visited my sister on Jamestown Island, we had lunch in Newport.

My daycations here in the Asheville area of NC are driving to the top of Mount Mitchell, which is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River to look at the views. Spending a day at the Biltmore Estate, driving to TN for the day to visit old neighbors.

Hugs,
Penny

Theresa said...

What a fun time! I love the placemats and that little town Chatham reminds me of our little town Helen! They keep the lights on and it is so quaint!

Thanks for sharing your trip with me! I haven't been on many day trips this year but a few years back we did a whole week of local sites! Have a blessed evening! HUGS!

myletterstoemily said...

what a fabulous idea and so handy,
since you live near such beautiful
locations.

we did that one year and called it a
'staycation.' it was one of our best
trips!

Unknown said...

Elyse,
These are wonderful daycations. I love where you visited, I love Newport also. There is a Naval base beyond the drive along the shore. The views are spectacular and you can see the bridge perfectly. I have to check out that potato chip factory, I have never been there. We are so lucky to be so close to magic. This post is wonderful.
Karen

Natasha Burns said...

For us people outside the US who hear of Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard.... that map was great!
I don't think you're nuts to frame it, it's very beautiful!!
It would be lovely to have a daycation there :)
Ok so dumb question here.... that main island that Cape Cod is on... is that island, Rhode Island? sorry to sound so stupid. if it isn't, do you get there with a car ferry or something?

Anonymous said...

Elyse it looks like a great time to me and I can't wait to see what you have in mind for the placemat!

We took Bill's folks up to Rosemount Museum in Pueblo a few days ago. Gorgeous 27,000 square feet and most of the furnishings are original. This is my second time there and I think I could live quite comfortably in this place that has been named one of Americas Castles!

bee blessed
mary

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Elyse, I have to come to the East Coast someday! It is soooo beautiful and you have made this post so inviting! It's wonderful that you are making the most out of your summer for the boys! Memories that they will always remember.

Love,
Maryjane

koralee said...

Oh my friend I have such sweet memories of our trip 2 Summers ago to your area ...we did all those things...Hyannis...Martha's Vineyard...Newport..Chatham..I want to go back soooo much.

My favourite town was Sandwich!

You live in such a beautiful area..I told my husband I sooooo want to move there.

Thanks for bringing back such fond memories. xoxoo

Anonymous said...

how fun... We have just started exploring our own "back yard" You take it for granted that we live in a place where people save up their money to come and visit. And we pass by landmarks and beauty everyday.
just bought a book of walking tours for Los Angeles that should be an adventure!

http://paperflora2.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaperFlora
http://twitter.com/PaperFlora2

Catherine said...

I went to Boston once and saw cap code only from the plane ! i wish i can go sometime. lovely pictures. Catherine

Flutterby Patch said...

Here in the UK I've just read Colt's 'Big House' so was pleased to see your post. I've never been to Cape Cod but it all sounds (and looks) very tempting.

Betty Jo said...

What wonderful day trips! I love going into the Blue Ridge mountains of NC, which is only a few hours away from where I live now. Once I'm living in NC again I'll only be three hours from the coast. Can hardly wait to get to the beach.

Jen Kershner said...

Ummm, you'd be crazy NOT to frame that placemat. I totally see the appeal. I'm totally envious of your daytrippin. We love to do the same thing but I wish we could drive to that area in a short time. Loved the tour. I'm now dying for a lobster roll though.

Shellie said...

what a fantastic day!! love all the pics - looks like you hit all the great spots!

:)S

PS xo

Glitter & Bliss said...

What a blast from the past for me. I love all those destinations soooo much!! You are so lucky to live where you can take lots of wonderful daycations. New England is my absolute favorite place on earth!! I hope you have a great start to the upcoming school year.

Heidi said...

What a fun day trip....just lovely!

sandy said...

Looks like such a great time with good memories! My husband and I take day trips around the nearby Mississippi River. I blogged about it recently! And we have Gramma Camp every week in the summer for the grandkids and plan fun activities for each day! You don't have to go far to have FUN and make memories!

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Looks like a wonderful time Elyse! We are counting down the last few days of summer also.....organizing the boys' room is not nearly as much fun as a day trip!

Simple Home said...

I loved seeing these photos! Being on the other side of the country, I've only been to the east coast once. It's so nice to be able to "visit" other places through blog land :-) I think you should frame that little placemat. What a great idea!
Blessings,
Marcia
p.s. I'm having a little giveaway if you want to stop by and enter :-)

debi said...

It looks like you've had some really fun daycations this summer. Beautiful scenery and yummy food! And chocolate covered cranberries? I could SO eat those!!!

Joyce said...

Can't beat a day in New England! My friend Karen and I love to meet and share the day in Concord, Ma. The ride through the country to get there is half the fun!

Anne Lorys said...

Looks like so much fun!
You live in such a wonderful part of the country, I adore visiting up that way.

And yes, you DID earn yourself a peach! ;-)

Hugs,
Anne

Kateyed said...

That looks almost better than a big trip to me...especially when you live in such a wonderful place. We are off to Croatia in a few weeks for the wedding of our exchange student son and it is just so darn complicated!I need a day trip to Minneapolis!
Hugs,
Suz

Terri said...

Oh how beautiful. you are so lucky to live so near such wonderful towns. I would love to visit the Cape someday! Thanks for sharing. Terri

{oc cottage} said...

Ok...you have to go to Martha's and sneak pics of Susan Branch's house! I'd pay to read that post! But I digress...you are a brat to have all that cuteness so nearby! Lucky duckling!

m ^..^

Unknown said...

Hello Elyse, How wonderful to know of someone who lives in Cape Cod. So very elegant and yet your profile says much in that you like the movies Family Vacation and Christmas Vacation. Those facts just make me giggle. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and inquiring whether I have a shop. That would be hard to have as I give most everything away that I make to those who inspire me in this creative community. I truly have enjoyed your lovely photos of Cape Cod, sigh, I am an East Coast girl myself. Elizabeth

Unknown said...

What a wonderful place to visit, those place mats are so Cath Kidston! On my day trips I just like to get out to the country and away from the city. Have a sweet day!

Cottage Flair said...

Sounds like two fun days. We just got back from six days of camping on the Cape in North Truro. It was beautiful. We usually spend a few days in Newport but ran out of time this Summer. Glad you had a great time!
jennife

birdie blue said...

definitely frame the placemat. your stay-cation looks lovely! i'm a fan of sleeping in my own bed, too.

did school start for your little guys?

xo
~molly

beachvintage.com said...

I am so in love with Cape Cod, how lucky you are to live so close. We are planning a trip there in 2013! Thanks for your well wishes for my new shop. xx

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

I grew up in Rhode Island and boy how i MISS lobster rolls and coffee milkshakes! Love the Newport pics and thanks for sharing the Cape Cod photos. Somehow I've never been there.

Jeanne said...

Oh what fun to have an adult getaway to Cape Cod. I've always wanted to visit there and your pics look well worth the trip. Our summer cottage is in a place people refer to as "the Cape Cod of the Midwest!"
xo
jeanne

Mrs. Cozy Home said...

OMG how excited I was to see Chatham! My family has visited for a week every year as long as I can remember, for the Fourth of July.

That Candy Manor is a serious part of my childhood -- my dad would buy fudge which we'd beg for, and we head for the penny candy!

Head back for the Fourth one year -- it's the most adorable parade, every house decorates, and delicious strawberry shortcake at a church in town after.

Deb said...

Sounds like an awesome weekend Elyse! I would love to visit the area, thanks for the tour! Deb

Unknown said...

I love all the posts, I really enjoyed, I would like more information about this, because it is very nice. Thanks for sharing.
giochi di barbie da vestire