Ten Reasons to Visit Wellfleet This Fall

1.) The beaches are deserted.
2.) The foliage around the ponds has started to turn bright colors.
3.) There are no lines at restaurants.
4.) Friendly merchants have had a week to recover from the summer rush.
5.) Many shops are holding sales.
6.) You can visit a cranberry harvest, and 2011 is a spectacular year for cranberries.
7.) The weather is still warm.
8.) Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce organizes Fall for the Arts.
9.) If you come this weekend, the weather will be spectacular. If you come next weekend, you can attend Oysterfest. If you come the following weekend, you can enjoy the peace of quiet season.
10.) Can anyone propose a tenth reason?

Playing Tourist ...

Yesterday morning, I fell for Wellfleet all over again. Inspired by the warm breeze, I decided to take a stroll around our darling little town to capture the end-of-September feel. Not many cars on Main Street, although locals were entering the Congregational Church for a funeral. A few tourists were about, but not many. You can tell them from their leisurely pace. They aren't in a hurry as they walk up from Stone Lion Inn towards the galleries, most of which are closed. Clothing always gives tourists away, as does the map clenched tightly in one fist. I saw a couple taking photos of the lobster on Mac's roof. The wife seemed disappointed that the restaurant wasn't open for lunch. Winslow's was closed, too. Mondays and Tuesdays are tough on visitors because there's little choice on where to go and what to do. Wicked Oyster is one option. Folks were enjoying The Lighthouse, and I saw a couple sit down on a bench with a bag of Wellfleet Marketplace sandwiches. There were cars in front of Box Lunch, too.

The foliage has not begun to turn, although the maple across from the library does make quite a statement. There were apples growing beside the parking lot where I had left my car. Amazing what you see when you take the time to look ...