Aug 9, 2009 - Cape Cod Canal to Plymouth

The town of Onset is right by the Cape Cod Canal, a seven mile human constructed canal that cuts through where the Cape Cod peninsula connects to mainland Massachusetts. Click here to read a very interesting Wikipedia entry on the Cape Cod Canal. According to the article, the concept of the canal was first proposed by Miles Standish of the Plymouth Colony in 1623. George Washington was involved in further investigations of the canal concept, but the ideas fell through. The construction of the canal was finally started in 1909 and completed in 1916. If you happen to have more time on your hands than is possibly good for you, you may click here for a webcan of boats passing through the canal....updated every 30 minutes. The Army Corps of Engineers has some interesting information here.

At the start of the canal going north is this railroad bridge

Directly in front of us going through the canal was this barge and then the sailboat. I had no idea that the Cape Cod Canal was such a tourist attraction. On either side of the bank is a paved walking path. It was not surprising that during our transit, many people walked, jogged, roller bladed, biked both sides of the bank. What was surprising was the number of people on both sides of the bank who brought folding chairs to sit and watch boats transverse the canal.

Going through the canal

When we exited the canal, we were in Cape Cod Bay for the easy ride into Plymouth Harbor. Easy, except for the lobster pots, but you are beginning to expect that statement if you have been following our blog.

We had an easy tie up to a tee dock. It was so exciting to go up on our bridge and have this view of the Mayflower replica.