Cape Cod is a unique and beautiful place, and I consider myself very fortunate to live here year round. As you can imagine, the population here explodes in the summertime as visitors flock to enjoy the beaches, lakes, trails, and villages the Cape has to offer. We usually host several groups of houseguests, and of course we have certain favorite spots we like to show them, and I often blog about our activities. But many of these stunning and often historic places have also inspired scenes in two of my novels, so my post in the Summer Treats Blog Hop is dedicated to a few Cape Cod locations that are both fun to visit and also appear in either Haunted Souls or Gull Harbor.
 |
| While the Popponesset Spit is a popular place for locals, it's not usually this crowded--this was the 4th of July. |
The Popponesset Spit is a long peninsula of pristine beach primarily accessible by boat (a long walk can get you there too if you know where to park, but it’s very hard to find a spot). This “spit” of land separates the bay from Nantucket Sound, and all types of boats tie up along the bay side and set up camp on the beach. A large network of waterways offers kayakers plenty of areas to explore. This is one of our favorite places on the Cape, and the Spit actually makes an appearance at the end of Haunted Souls.
 |
| Cahoon Hallow Beach in Wellfleet |
The town of Gull Harbor is fictional, but I used Wellfleet as inspiration, and the characters visit the beaches Cape Cod National Seashore on several occasions. I offer a little history in the book for readers, which I’ll add here as well. President Kennedy created this area of protected land and seascape in 1961, and it covers 43,607 acres of beachfront, ponds, and woods. One of our favorite beaches to visit within the CCNS is Cahoon Hollow in Wellfleet.
There’s also a kettle pond near Claire’s house in Gull Harbor where some key scenes take place. These are fresh water ponds formed over 15,000 years ago when melting glacial ice blocks produced large holes that filled with water. The Wellfleet Kettle ponds are a bit of a secret compared to some of the other local attractions, and there are nearly twenty of them hidden in the sandy forests of Wellfleet and Truro.
Another body of water that made it into one of my novels is Snake Pond, which is also a kettle pond. This popular beach is near the military base where Staff Sergeant Brett Leeds is stationed in Haunted Souls.
 |
| Snake Pond - a kettle pond in Sandwich |
There’s a lot of history here on the Cape as well, and one summer I went on a “Haunted Historical Tour” of Barnstable Village which began and ended at the Old Jail. I’d never even heard of the Old Jail, and it’s truly a historic gem. It’s the oldest wooden jail house in the entire country, actually, and is thought to have been built in 1690, on orders from the Plymouth and MA Bay Colony Courts. It was in use until the 1800s, and was moved around a bit, eventually attached to a barn. It was rediscovered in 1968, detached from the barn, and moved next to the Coast Guard museum on 6A.
The structure itself is quite small, containing three cells which held large numbers of people sometimes. According to our guide, conditions were rough and people had to take turns lying down to sleep when cells were crowded. As you can imagine, many people died, and the site is considered actively haunted.
 |
| The Old Jail at night |
On our tour, we were shown photographs with shadowy figures taken by volunteers who work in the jail house. A few of the volunteers shared their stories as well, and one claimed that a ghost had followed them home and engaged in some poltergeist-like activities. Well, that got my attention right way, and my imagination started churning. My sister had her little daughter with her, and I started to wonder what would happen if a young child with sensitive abilities took pity on a lost soul, and actually invited a ghost to come home with them. The initial idea for Haunted Souls was born, and the Old Jail is in one of the very first scenes, along with some other historical sites.
Hope you enjoyed a summertime tour of a few of the Cape’s best spots! And if you need a new beach read, grab a steamy—and spooky—second chance romance + ghost mystery, put up your feet, and come virtually visit the Cape! Blurbs with links to all retailers can be found here:
Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a Kindle Fire donated by my fabulous publisher, and visit the other blogs participating in the hop for more Summer Treats and Reads—and prizes! Blog hop links below the Rafflecopter. Happy Summer!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
1.
Sorchias Wild Rose Summer Treats Post | Visit blog
2.
RV Memory | Visit blog
|
3.
Tricia Schneider | Visit blog
|
4.
Anna Durands Spunk & Hunks | Visit blog
|
5.
Judy Ann Davis Summer Treats and Reads Blog Hop | Visit blog
|
6.
Spicy Summer Treats with Mia Downing | Visit blog
|
7.
Linda Nightingale. . . Wordsmith | Visit blog
|
8.
Jana Richards - Journeys with Jana | Visit blog
|
9.
Summer Memories of books well read @ Peggy jaeger. com | Visit blog
|
10.
Summer on Cape Cod ~ Kathryn Knight books | Visit blog
|
11.
Summer Fun at the Beach, with Katie OSullivan | Visit blog
|
12.
I Believe Ill Go Canoeing - C. B. Clark | Visit blog
|
13.
Summertime Love is Sweeter with. . . Frozen Mango? @ Kimberly Keyes blog |Visit blog
|
14.
Wild Rose Summer Treats Blog Hop @ Brendas Blog | Visit blog
|
15.
Summer Treats and Reads Blog Hop | Visit blog
|
16.
Midsummer Magic on the Isle of Skye! | Visit blog
|
17.
My Guilty Summer Treats from Lori Sizemore | Visit blog
|
18.
Wild Rose Press Summer Treats and Reads Blog Hop | Visit blog
|
19.
Hywela Lyns post for the WRP Summer Treats and Reads Blog Hop | Visit blog
|
20.
Wild Rose Press Summer Treats & Reads | Visit blog
|
21.
Camping is a Recipe for Summer Treats and Reads | Visit blog
|
22.
The Snarkology | Visit blog
|
23.
Summer Survival Tips @ Nitty Gritty Romance | Visit blog
|
24.
Wild Rose Press Summer Treats and Reads Blog Hop | Visit blog
|
25.
Nell Castle - Summer of the Sweat Lodge | Visit blog
|
26.
Myth, Magic & Wonder Susan Edwards, Breathing Life into the Past | Visit blog
|
27.
Romance with Spice, Sydney St. Claire | Visit blog
|
28.
Author Kat de Falla | Visit blog
|
29.
Anni Fife. Exciting new author of Steamy Romance with Irresistible Heroes | Visit blog
|
30.
Summer Vacation, Victorian-Style, AND a Giveaway | Visit blog
|
31.
Wildfires, Monsoons, and Mojitos - Author Susabelle Kelmer shares how she keeps cool in a climate that is on fire! | Visit blog
|
32.
Casi McLeans recipe for Hot Reads and Cool Treats | Visit blog
|
33.
Cool Summer Reads: Jeannie Halls Romantic Suspense Blog - Where Hearts Tremble From More Than Attraction | Visit blog
|
34.
Summer treat - Adult Slushie | Visit blog
|
35.
How to Rediscover the Magic of Bicycling | Visit blog
|
36.
Charlottes Tips on How to Stay Cool in HOT New York City | Visit blog
|
37.
Caryn McGill | Visit blog
|
38.
Hywela Lyns Inrerplanetary Summer | Visit blog
|
Pretty sure I lived in Cape Cod in another life--your pictures make me want to go and see what it feels like to be there in this life. And that is a Haunted Tour that is now on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear it! And it really is beautiful here - we try to appreciate it daily, but it's easier in the summer :) Thanks for coming by Sorchia.
DeleteGreat pictures. I love the ocean. There is something compelling, soothing, and peaceful when you listen to it. The haunted tour sounded like fun. I took one in (Old) Williamsburg, Virginia, and enjoyed the history along with the tales of ghosts and apparitions.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds right up my alley, and I bet there are lots of tales in Williamsburg! Thanks for coming by Judy Ann :) Happy summer.
DeleteI would love to visit Cape Cod. Thank you for sharing your experience!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Carly, thanks for reading and commenting! It's definitely a lovely place to visit with lots to offer.
DeleteI would love to go on the Haunted Tour.
ReplyDeleteIt was very cool, I learned a lot of history as well. Plus I got the inspiration for Haunted Souls! Thanks for coming by Jean and happy summer.
ReplyDeleteYou make me want to go to Cape Cod; I guess it's more than preppy yachters eating lobster rolls :-)
ReplyDeletehaha I guess there's some of that too! I may be the only one here who doesn't like lobster rolls either, lol. thanks for coming by!
Deletenope your not alone.. i am cape codder born and raised and hate seafood, with the exception of capt parkers chowder :)
DeleteOh good, that makes me feel better! I'm a "cheap date" at least, lol, cause I want nothing to do with shellfish. And those lobster rolls are pricey!
DeleteI've never been to Cape Cod (yet) but I live in a beach town and I love it, too. Definitely gets much more crowded in the summer months.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele! It definitely does! The crowds help keep our industry afloat, but it can get frustrating trying to fight traffic to get to work or the store :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI grew up in dennisport down the road from the house of pancakes where the book love story begins!! Beautiful place to grow up!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
ReplyDeleteHow cool! What a great place to grow up - and I forgot Love Story's opening...it's been so long since I read it. Good luck and thanks for commenting :)
DeleteKathryn, what a great article. I love to visit places like that, especially like the old jail. How cool.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't read Kathryn's book, you are truly missing great reads!
awww thank you Casi, fellow writer of ghost stories :) The old jail really is a historic gem here that more people should know about. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThank you for the giveaway. I have never been to Cape Cod, but would love to visit sometime!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and good luck - thanks for commenting!
DeleteThank you for the giveaway. I have never been to Cape Cod, but would love to visit sometime!
ReplyDeletewow, i stumbled upon you blog from someone on Facebook and i just so happen to live on Cape Cod too! i Have always wanted to do the haunted ghost tour too but haven't gotten around to it yet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice coincidence! It's a great tour and I learned a lot about my adopted home (18 years here now). Love the Cape. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
DeleteVery interesting post. I love ghost stories. My grandmother used to scare me with "real" ghost stories.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'd love to hear some of those - great for inspiration! I love them too, obviously :) Thank you for participating in the hop.
DeleteGreat story about the Old Jail--you've got me ready to read your book now!
ReplyDeleteOh yay! Hope you enjoy if you give it a read!
DeleteI'm from Maryland and have never been to cape cod. My parents have though! This really really me want to go now. I've only heard great things
ReplyDeleteAmanda Healey
How funny, Amanda - I'm from Maryland too, grew up there! I moved to Cape Cod 18 years ago when we were stationed here by the Coast Guard. But I visit my family in MD all the time, and I even set my YA Paranormal Romance DIVINE FALL there!
DeleteI'm from Maryland and have never been to cape cod. My parents have though! This really really me want to go now. I've only heard great things
ReplyDeleteAmanda Healey
I love hearing the inspirations for your stories! I do live on the Cape so I can totally picture these spots - but I still haven't done one of the local ghost tours!
ReplyDeleteHi Katie, my fellow Cape TWRP author! I've had a lot of fun learning about my adopted home. And the ghost tour was great, had a lot of history too! Thanks for coming by :)
DeleteMy husband and I visited Cape Cod several years ago. I'll never forget how we tried to navigate the road from the airport to our hotel during the night. Inky blackness surrounded us, but we finally made it to our destination. We fell in love with the place and often think of returning. Thanks so much for sharing. Love the pictures, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! It IS dark around here, I hate driving at night because of it. Serious lack of streetlights, but the benefit is a fantastic view of the stars :)
DeleteHello Kathryn, Cape Cod sounds beautiful ♡ your pictures. Your books sound awesome. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda! Good luck in the Rafflecopter and I appreciate you stopping by :D
DeleteHi Kathryn, Thanks for sharing some of the inspiration for your books. Cape Cod is a place I've never been but would very much like to visit!
ReplyDeleteKimberly Keyes
You are very welcome, thanks for coming by and commenting! It's a great place to visit, and the fall is lovely (and less crowded) too!
DeleteCape Cod is on my bucket list, thanks to your post. :) Can't wait to visit it one day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by - come by for a glass of wine when you visit :D
DeleteHow great that you were able to use historic sites in your own back yard as the settings for your book. Wonderful post Kathryn!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jana! It's so fun to use all the interesting locations.
DeleteI'd love to visit Cape Cod, Kathryn! Great post! 😃
ReplyDeleteH Jeannie! It's a great place to visit...we've had three groups this July already! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI lived on Cape Cod in Hyannis for a summer making candles at the Yankee Candle Company. Let me just say, I had no future in it! I was the slowest, worst candle maker in their history! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWow, really? How cool! It does sound like a job that would take a lot of patience...not something I'm known for either!
DeleteThat looks like a beautiful place to live! Thanks for sharing! And I'm adding Haunted Souls to my TBR list. I love ghost stories!
ReplyDeletePerfect! Those are my specialty, lol. Thanks for coming by and commenting :D
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be nice to visit Cape Cod! Thanks for your awesome blog post. But first I should finish reading Haunted Souls on ebook! :) :)
ReplyDelete