The Old Jail on Route 6A in Barnstable, MA

Haunted Barnstable Tour Starts Here at the Old Jail

It is a very hot day here today. Mom and I turned the air conditioner on in the car as we were out taking photographs of Cape Cod. I am working on a Haunted Cape Cod calendar for Zazzle and wanted to come here. On the way down, Mom asked what I would do if I ever saw a ghost. I really don't know. I think I would be okay if it were in the middle of a bright sunny afternoon, with lots of other people around. It would also be nice, if it was a place like this and not my own house. I don't think I would be as happy in my own house at 2 am.  

The Old Jail is dated back to about 1690 to 1700. People say that makes it one of the oldest existing jails in the US. I doubt if any of it is the original jail. They also say that it has moved several times. For our purposes, it is said to be haunted. The local paranormal group, the Cape and Islands Paranormal Research Society (CAIPRS) starts their local haunted tour from here. That is definitely on my list of things to do this summer.

I've been told that people can pay to stay here overnight. I really have no desire to do that. Would you?

Lone Star Tick Threat at Sandy Neck Beach

Dunes at Sandy Neck Beach

I went for  a walk on Sandy Neck Beach today. One of the beach employees was warning people about the Lone Star Tick. It's a new tick to the area and was just found on Sandy Neck Beach. It carries it's own set of diseases.

That's not good news in an area that is infested with deer ticks that carry Lyme Disease. When I walk in the forest or work in the garden, I always wear insect repellent that has DEET in it. Until today, I didn't think that I had to wear it to the beach every day.

I always have it with me in case the green flies are in town. However, the employee told me I should use it here as well. Lyme disease varies in each person. Some have very small symptoms, get medicine and then get better. Other people barely get out of bed. I hope the Lone Star Tick diseases aren't this bad.

Sand Dunes at Sandy Neck Beach

Miles of Sand Dunes to Explore

On the way home from the hospital, Mom and I dropped off her prescription at the drugstore. The pharmacist said it would take about 90 minutes. We decided to go for a ride to Sandy Neck Beach. It's one of the last barrier beaches on Cape Cod that still has a lot of sand dunes. As you can see they go on for miles. Sandy Neck Beach is six miles long and you can hike to the end and back. I've done this walk several times, but not for decades. There's a privately-owned lighthouse at the other end.

We loved sitting on a bench and looking at the scenery. I have always thought that sunshine was good for me. After the long and harsh winter, it really picked up our spirits.