Dennis Village, Massachusetts, U.S.A. — When in Cape Cod, scale the swirling staircase through the center of Scargo Tower to truly experience the shape of the Cape and its scenic beauty.
This stone tower, constructed in 1902, stands over 160 feet above the sea atop Scargo Hill.
From the summit, behind historic chest-high walls, you can clearly see the geography of Cape Cod.
Glancing to the west, you see the bulk of Massachusetts. It’s said that on a clear day, you can see Boston in the distance.
Look to the east and you can see how the Cape flares out into the Atlantic and curves up into a circular piece of land that contains funky and famed Provincetown at the tip of the 70-mile peninsula that is Cape Cod.
Aside from the coves, nooks and crannies on the water edges of the Cape, it’s challenging to get a true sense of the lay of the land from driving its crowded highways.
Forget the photos and postcards displaying the scope of Cape Cod, and instead climb Scargo Tower and see and sense for yourself how it comes together with your own eyes.
From this location you can enjoy the sight and sounds of the small boats along the shores of Scargo Lake below and take in the pastel-colored shingled houses.
You can find this magnificent tower in the 302-year-old town of Dennis, Massachusetts. The tower is at the top of Scargo Hill Road, off Old Bass River Road.
This little detour is sure to become a treasured memory of your time in Cape Cod.
During your stay, be sure to also trek out to a marsh on the Cape. Here you will be able to enjoy some true New England wildlife, both plant and animal.
Long, lush grass grows throughout large marshes and stretches of beach in various locations along the National Seashore.
Some marshes have long wooden boardwalks stretching out over the water. Take a peek down into the crystal clear waters surrounding you, and you will find small crabs darting in and out.
You may be lucky enough to see the sight of a crab climbing a boardwalk post, giving you a closer look at this intriguing creature.
A trip to the Cape gives you a chance to wade in the temperate waters, collect small seashells that wash ashore and live your life at a slower pace.
Teague Neal is a Reporter for Youth Journalism International. Another YJI reporter, Zach Brokenrope, took one of the photos.
