Water front vacation home, handy mans special, sleeps six . Great for families or couples that like to get away from it all. No neighbors - lots of privacy. Interested parties may contact the General Services Administration to place their bid.  The Coast Guard is probably giving away a lighthouse near you. They are near us. July 5th the GSA made it known that the Cleveland East Ledge Light off the coast of Buzzards Bay and Bourne is up for grabs. Watch out, though, the real estate might wind up costing you a bundle in the end. Besides being deemed “excess to the needs of the US Coast Guard” or outdated most of the landmarks require a major overhaul just to make them habitable and safe. Of course, if you are going that far you might as well spend the extra bucks to make it operational again. 

More on the Lighthouse giveaway.

Built in the days when asbestos insulation or lead paint wasn’t an issue. To use them today federal and state laws require all that to be removed. Cleveland East Ledge Light is a good example. Finished in 1943 as the last commissioned lighthouse it sits eight miles off the coast of Buzzards Bay and Bourne Cape Cod in a busy channel to the Cape Cod Canal. Strong currents and heavy seas are not unusual in this area. Just getting to the lighthouse can be very treacherous. (You thought it was hard to get a plumber at home think of the nightmare this would be.) Even waste water disposal would be an issue. (No septic system here!)

Right now the GSA has two out of 17 potential landmarks to sell- The Cleveland East Ledge Light and the Penfield Reef Light off Bridgeport Ct. Offered first to the local municipality and area non-profits for FREE and then, if that fails, to the public under a bid process. Get your check book ready!

You can read more about these lighthouses or the covenants, easements and restrictions that come with the deed (and you really should.) at http://propertydisposal.gsa.gov/resourcecenter/PublicPages/default.asp?type=4

Pilgrim Monument Celebrates 100 years this month!

A day trip to Provincetown is often on our guests' itinerary when they visit us on the Cape. If you're heading to the Cape's tip for the first time this year, you won't be able to miss Pilgrim Monument. The monument was erected on the town's highest hill to commemorate the Pilgrims' first landing in the New World in 1620.

That's right! Before moving up the coast to found Plymouth Colony, the Pilgrims had their first landfall at the end of Cape Cod. There was insufficient fresh water for a plantation, so after about five weeks they moved up the coast to Plymouth. The colonists returned to the province lands to harvest wood and sea grass. Over time they considered the area a part of Plymouth Colony and eventually gave it the name Provincetown.

Read more about the Provincetown landmark...

This year, the Pilgrim Monument Foundation celebrates the monument's 100th anniversary. Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone in 1907, after arriving on the presidential yacht, the Mayflower. Three years later President Taft arrived on the same presidential yacht to dedicate the granite tower. The monument at 252 feet tall is the tallest all granite structure in the country. One hundred and sixteen steps spaced by sixty alternating ramps wind their way up to the top. Along the journey you will see small viewing cutouts in the granite and memorial stones from around the country. Climbing is the only option – no elevator. Reaching the top visitors will find the most spectacular view of the town's harbor, sea, and province lands in every direction.

In 1910, the capes first museum's was built at the entrance to the site. Its purpose was to educate the visitors on the towns contribution to Pilgrim and American history. Exhibitions range from replicas of the Mayflowers interior compartments, artifacts of the time, and recreation of local Indian tribal communities and natural habitats.

So, whether its a trip to the tip for shopping, beaches or whale watch don't forget to put the monument on your list of must see. And, don't forget to take your camera for those phenomenal views. Admission for adults is $7 and includes admission to the museum at the base of the monument. Free admission is offered every Sunday from 9am to noon. Wear comfortable shoes for the climb! It can take a while walking up its alternating sloping ramps and stairs to the top.

Check out their website at http://www.pilgrim-monument.org, and ask at the front desk for travel details, hints on parking, and to find out if there are any special weekend events planned in town. Then come back and have a soak in one of our whirlpool tubs and congratulate each other for your Cape Cod “rock climbing” adventure!

End of the summer is almost upon us.  If you are thinking of making a last hurrah before schools in session or before the official summer season is over check out these possibilities.  Similar to our seven night Family Beach Entertainer package we are now offering a five night Late Summer Fun.  Both are packed with goodies to enjoy for the whole family.  

The last week before Labor Day weekend we are offering substantially reduced rates from our summer fare for a limited time.  You'll find those on our Summer Rates page.

Lastly, we are running a new Labor Day weekend package that includes water front dining and Martha's Vineyard tickets all for a reduced three night package price. 

Not so many excuses left for you to miss out on all the fun.     

Credits:  

*Cape Cod Times staff writer article Aaron Gouveia on lighthouse sale and Eric Williams on  Pilgrim Monument 

*GSA property disposal website http://propertydisposal.gsa.gov

*Historical information and the photo (by Jeremy D'Entremont, www.lighthouse.cc) of Cleveland East Ledge Light and the can be at http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/maritime/cle.htm

*Historical Information, photo and events can be found on the Pilgrim Monument website at http://www.pilgrim-monument.org/pilgrim_splash.html