~ Sabbatical 2014: Where the Creek Meets the Sea

I had a list - pages full of things I wanted to do and see on Cape Cod.

One of them was float in a tidal creek.

To check this one off my list, we headed to the village of Brewster to see where Paine's Creek meanders its way to the sea.

It was like nature's very own lazy river!

Perfect for families with young children, 

we enjoyed playing in the warm sand and floating in the lazy waters,

parking close to the beach for easy access,

exploring the incredible sea life,

The boys chased this creature for a very long time. They told me it was something round with a tail. All I could picture was a stingray. When they came up out of the water with this horseshoe crab and a shout of victory, everyone on the beach stopped what they were doing to see what was happening. 

following the rock jetty to the ocean,

and just being silly!

Rumor has it that the change from high tide to low tide at Paine's Creek opens up the sea floor for several miles. I can only imagine the exploring the boys could do walking out on those flats! Some say the sunsets at Paine's Creek are the best on Cape Cod.

When we had had enough of the sea (can anyone ever really have enough of the sea)...

we enjoyed checking off a few more things on my list.

I knew I could not leave Brewster without finding this beautiful place.

 The Stony Brook Grist Mill, built around 1873,

where the red herring  fight their way upstream to spawn,

 and the miller grinds fresh corn into meal,

sits beside a busy road right in the middle of Brewster.

And if I hadn't done my research and put it on my list, we would have never discovered this lovely place. So glad we found it!

One of the last things we checked off our list in Brewster was a visit to the Brewster Store. 

Converted from an old church back in the 1900's, it's a step back in time to the days of the general store with its historic building and its quaint decor, where you can buy just a little bit of everything. We bought swimming toys, Cape Cod t-shirts, souvenirs, homemade fudge, postcards, penny candy, etc... The store is full of fun vintage housewares, kids toys that hearken back to simpler times, an old-fashioned candy counter, an ice cream parlor and nautical items that make you want to linger just a little longer in this sea-loving town.

If you ever make your way to Brewster, Massachusetts, don't leave without a trip down the lazy river, a quick jaunt to see the running of the herring, and a leisurely stroll through the aisles of the Brewster Store. But be warned, you may never want to leave!

Check, check, check!