Day 10- Cambridge to Ptown to Chatham. Miles 283-321

In reverse order— today’s transportation involved: motor boat, kayak, car, bike, foot, bus (not ferry), bike.

We started the day in Cambridge. I woke up in my old apartment. Many times, when I lived there last year, I’d. fall asleep on the recliner in the living room unintentionally, but this time it was on purpose. And it was as luxurious (thanks again Papa for the hand-me-down chair!)

We scurried out in the drizzle, and made time for a slow breakfast. Despite the crummy weather, the egg sandwiches and strong coffee perked us up. (Check out a Tatte café next time you’re in Boston. It’s a favorite of mine!).

Then we headed to the Seaport. The route we took this morning traced over my old commute. It was crazy how empty it was for a weekday morning at 7:30. Most of the people we saw were either wearing scrubs or construction outfits. No one in suits.

We got there with plenty of time to spare, but did not get good news when we arrived. Today, the seas were too rough (7 foot swells) for the ferry trip we’d been excited for. Bummer. But, maybe saves us the experience of getting seasick in a mask….We’d have to take a bus, or go on another day. We took the former option.

Luckily, there was a nice (Mercedes) bus with ample underbelly storage for our bikes. We doubled up our masks and there were only 3 others on the bus. It felt pretty safe, even though it was not the open air experience we’d hoped for. The ride was smooth, and a chance to recharge.

When we got in to Provincetown we were greeted by colorful streets and our classmate Sarah Fuller and her friend from high school Delaney. They had rolled in just minutes before and already were repairing their bikes so they could make it home with us. Delaneys gear had broken in half!

We rolled up to another bike shop, they welcomed us with questions and cute T shirts. I got one (not this one!), and we reallly appreciated their offer to hold on to our gear while we enjoyed exploring Ptown.

I’d been to Ptown before, but it was a thrill to be there on a bike with a group of friends. We’ve gotten a lot of comments on being a “lady biker gang”. But honestly, most of the time our gender does not cross my mind. These women are just my friends. But, when I do think about it, it feels pretty bad-ass. To the generations before us, it would be hard to imagine a bunch of soon-to-be doctors and dentists, biking and camping, would all be women. I was reflecting on this as we went through yet another rainbow-clad city (throwback to day 1 in Northampton) with our gear and our growing thighs.

While traveling through cities that are so colorful and universally accepting, it feels like a glimpse of a future that can be. Gender and LGBTQ equality has come along way, largely due to the work and sacrifices of black and trans folx. But there’s a long way to go. We’ve been having a lot of interesting conversations about this recently. Just this week, Talia published an op-Ed in the Hartford Courant that sheds light on this issue in the realm of high school sports. You should check it out. She is so eloquent and makes me proud.

We left Ptown with the goal of making it to Chatham in time for dinner. Honestly, the roads weren’t great. It was a disappointment. Plus, Talia’s bike rack kept falling off, despite our best efforts to get it fixed in the Ptown bike shop. We did McGiver something to get us home, but we have our work cut out for a real fix tomorrow.

We had really ideallic images of biking in the cape. So, this came as a disappointment. There’s only one way out of the cape, with shoulders that came and went. Luckily, our group is big enough that it felt safe, but it was a sweet relief when we hopped off the road and ended up on a bike trail. Our friend Delany’s pup Oliver was particularly glad. He rode the whole 30+ miles in Delaney’s bike basket. What a champ!

We made it to Chatham. The houses are lovely, especially the Fuller’s! We immediately rushed to the outdoor shower (with a view!), washed up in a hurry for dinner. Sarah and her mom had cooked a feast of chicken, salad, and pesto pasta with basil from the garden. YUM. We chowed down then got to getting our stuff in order. We were on a bit of a schedule, because we had an island to get to before sunset.

Then, we masked up and hopped in a car for a quick ride to the docks. Sarah parked and led us to the dock. While we waited on the dock, Sarah kayaked to her family’s motor boat. She is a dedicated friend and a woman of many talents. She then brought the motor boat to the dock, where we loaded it up. She zipped us to the small island, and we passed a seal on the way. We freaked out! We set up camp and I write this from the fireside. I’m becoming the marshmallows I ate.

Today was the Amazing race. Emphasis on the amazing. We are the only humans here on this island.

Tomorrow is our much awaited rest day. We can’t wait to wake up here and see what Chatham and Sarah Fuller have in store.

-The other Sarah.

Gans