14th Day 03/07/2022 - Cape Cod - Madison Fireworks on the Eve of Independence Day

Today is a day for sightseeing. We planned to go to Cape Cod, in the eastern part of Massachusetts, at 09:00. Unfortunately, we ended up leaving at 10:00. After about three hours of driving through different and interesting landscapes, we arrived in Chatham. A small, cozy town in the southern part of Cape Cod. We immediately liked it here. Many charming, well-kept houses and a beautiful view of the sea. We parked our car at the beach and walked into town. There are various shops, studios, and restaurants lined up along the street. We strolled along the street and I was in a shopping mood. In the front yard of a residential house, there was an old VW Bully and next to it, at a standing table, T-shirts and capes were being sold by a local brand. When we wanted to continue walking, a young man at the entrance approached me and praised my "cool sneakers" that I had bought in Staten Island. He said that they had developed a new brand and would have a promotion here for two days. We should take a look. Flattered as I was, we went into the house and of course bought something. Quite clever scheme... We bought other things in the town and then had a delicious sandwich at the Memorial Memorial, with a very nice view of the sea. Afterward, we tried to find a hiking trail to the lighthouse. Unfortunately, it only goes along the road. Then the footpath also ends and we have to continue walking on the road, which I don't like so much. Anne and I have also lost our orientation on how to get to the lighthouse. After about 20 minutes, we give up and return to the car. After a short drive, we find the lighthouse and go to the beach. At the entrance to the beach, a large sign warns us of great white sharks. I was not aware that they appear so far north. But here, too, climate change is noticeable. The water has become warmer and there have indeed been more shark sightings and accidents in recent years. The beach is beautiful. We enjoy the atmosphere, the sand, the sun, and the water - although I didn't feel it was that warm. Around 18:00, we drive back and arrive in Madison at 20:30. Here we see guides at a P & R parking lot and ask if there are shuttle connections to the fireworks on the eve of Independence Day, which is confirmed. So we park the car and then take an original American school bus to Madison Beach. Here, hundreds of people in a festive mood await us, with picnic blankets, beach chairs, and an ice cream truck, which is heavily populated. There are fire baskets on the beach and private fireworks are set off. It is a fantastic evening sky and sunset. The sea is cordoned off by the water police. In the middle of the cordon stands an old rusty fire ship, from where the fireworks are ignited at 9:30. People scream in amazement and are very excited. It is an incredible spectacle, which must have been very expensive for the city and for the environment. Everything is staged down to the smallest detail. One thing you have to admit to the Americans: they can put on a show very well. The fireworks last for 30 minutes. Afterwards, there is cheering, clapping, and the USA is celebrated with slogans like 'USA, USA - USA is the best country in the world'. I can't imagine something like this in Germany.

Then we took the school bus back to the car and went to Guilford to our house.