It’s Birthday Month here at the High Pointe Inn on Cape Cod! My birthday, that is, and I like to celebrate all month. On Cape Cod, April is the month when many of our favorite clam shacks reopen for the season. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my birth month than making the rounds of the tried and true purveyors of fried fish and lobster rolls and welcoming them back into our repertoire of great places to eat on Cape Cod.

Not everyone is a fan of fried clams, but the number one fried clam fan lives with me. Something about the succulent bivalve sends my husband into a tailspin. “Tender morsels of clam goodness” is the way he describes a heaping platter of crispy fried clams. The accompanying creamy coleslaw and ubiquitous French fries complete what he considers to be a feast fit for the gods.

I, on the other hand, am a sucker for lobster. Last year my husband took me to Maine for my birthday on a 3-day tour he loving labeled “looking for Larry lobster”. In a 72-hour period he took me to six dining establishments in the mid-coast Maine area that warranted a mention on one of the many the Food Network shows for a spectacular lobster dish. I had lobster pot pie, several different versions of lobster rolls, and lobster bisque. From the high brow restaurant Fore Street in Portland to the diner dive known as the Porthole, it was all lobster all the time for me. Best birthday gift ever.

This year a trip to Maine is not in the cards for us, but that won’t stop me from pursuing the omnipotent Cape Cod lobster roll. Several of my favorites are opening in the next few days: Baxter’s Boathouse in Hyannis, Captain Frosty’s in Dennis, Spanky’s in Hyannis, and my all-time favorite, Sesuit Harbor Café, also in Dennis at the Northside Marina. Kream N’ Kone in West Dennis has been open since mid-February for us diehards, and Seafood Sam’s rolled out the welcome mat in March. Arnold’s in Eastham will clock in on May 11th.

So fear not you lobster and clam lovers. The world is about to return to its senses. All hail the mighty Cape Cod clam shack for another spectacular season of dining delights.

Like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants or Flat Stanley‘s trek around the world, the Red Chair is crisscrossing Cape Cod on a voyage of discovery. An assemblage of local innkeepers have banded together to assist the chair’s ramblings, and in the process have embarked on an adventure of our own.

This week we welcomed the Red Chair to the High Pointe Inn in West Barnstable, MA. She arrived without fanfare, undaunted by her trip thus far, and unencumbered by the usual trappings of world travel. It was our mission to introduce her to our historic hamlet by the sea.

Sandy Neck Beach seemed the best place to get started. Perhaps a brisk walk on the beach would put a blush on her cheek, and the airing out wouldn’t do us any harm either. Toting a red chair around causes a bit of a stir, and one intrepid park ranger queried the significance. We explained as best we could, then carried on exploring a few of the trails that wind their way through the marsh and dunes. Although she longed to play in the surf, the wind and waves proved to be too much for her, so she dallied a bit with the other chairs in the parking lot.

After our romp at the beach, we set off for the historic West Parish Meetinghouse. En route we passed by West Barnstable Tables and decided to stop. Here, housed in a large barn, 14 gifted craftsmen and women fashion beautiful hand-crafted furniture from salvaged antique buildings, boats, pianos and what-have-you. Unable to resist the juxtaposition of tables and chairs, we paused for a photo op.

Eventually we made it to the Meetinghouse where she paid homage to our servicemen and women and sat for a spell in the shadow of the bell tower and its gilded “Rooster” weathervane.

Our final stop was the West Barnstable train depot, where we parted ways with the Red Chair so that she might continue her journey. Our interlude had been brief, a whirlwind affair. She has miles to go and people to meet.

You can follow the Red Chair’s circumnavigation of Cape Cod at redchairtravels.com. And you can see more photos on our Pinterest board  “Red Chair Travels Cape Cod“.

With spring arriving officially yesterday, I can finally say goodbye to winter, my least favorite season on Cape Cod. This year the weather gods were kind to us, with only one appreciable snow that required Rich to drag out the snowblower at our Inn on Cape Cod. Even with the record amount of snowfall in the state for that storm, it was gone in two days. Gotta love it.

It feels like spring arrived far sooner than she was expected, at least here on the Cape where often she doesn‘t truly engage until May. Already the goldfinches are turning their bright summer yellow and the crocuses are in full bloom, with the daffodils not far behind. Temperatures have soared into the upper 60s and low 70s for several days in a row and the convertibles and motorcycles enjoying the curves along scenic Route 6A are multiplying daily. Time to rev up the old Miata for her next season of adventures

What’s in store for her this year? Hopefully lots of trips to Sesuit Harbor Café for fried clams and lobster rolls, followed by a trip to Captain Frosty’s for coffee soft serve. There will be a trip or two to Fort Hill in Eastham for picnics and walking the nature trails. I would suspect she might also take us to Chatham a time or two for a visit to the Monomy National Wildlife Refuge and perhaps a stop at the Chatham Fish Pier as well. No doubt she will want to take a spin over to Wellfleet for a cruise along Ocean Drive, maybe sneak into the Beachcomber for a cocktail or two before dinner at Mac’s Shack.

Eventually we may end up at Highland Light in Truro or Race Point in Provincetown trying to spot a whale or two out on the horizon. We actually made that trip without her last week, as all reports indicated that the right whales were frolicking freely in Cape Cod Bay enjoying the early spring-like weather and the rich feeding grounds that attract them yearly on their migration north. We ended up at Herring Cove Beach in the Provincelands, where we were able to spot a few off in the distance through binoculars and Rich’s telephoto lens.

It promises to be a good spring, hopefully followed by a wonderful summer and a delightful fall. Rich and I, along with the Miata, hope to discover more of Cape Cod’s hidden treasures to share with our guests, more great eateries to enjoy the bounty of Cape Cod, and definitely more spots to wander aimlessly simply taking pleasure in this lovely peninsula we call home.

If you want to take full advantage of what Cape Cod has to offer this spring, summer or fall, check out some of our romance and adventure packages and call us for reservations. We’ll be happy to share our secret places with you, perhaps over coffee on the deck before breakfast in the morning.

As many of you know, The High Pointe Inn on Cape Cod has a view of the dunes of Sandy Neck Beach and Cape Cod Bay. Rich and I often walk Sandy Neck as it is a beautiful barrier beach that stretches for miles in either direction. Because we have had such mild weather we have had numerous opportunities to walk the beach this winter. It was Casey’s favorite romping spot.

So imagine our surprise when we opened our copy of the Cape Cod Times today to read that a group of approximately 25 right whales were spotted very close to the shoreline off Sandy Neck Beach yesterday. Photographed by an aerial survey team from the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS), the whales were clearly visible within several hundred feet of the beach.

According to the Boston Globe, there are only about 475 North Atlantic right whales left in the world, many of which gather off the coast of  Cape Cod in springtime due to the rich feeding grounds located in Cape Cod Bay. This incredible phenomena draws crowds of spectators to witness the whales breaching so close to shore.

One of the world’s most endangered species, state and federal regulation prevent boaters from approaching within 500 yards of a right whale. They are called “right whales” because whalers thought the whales were the “right” ones to hunt, as they float when killed and often swim within sight of shore. They are also incredibly friendly, and often swam right up to boats as well. As such, they were hunted nearly to extinction during the active years of the whaling industry.

Other sightings have occurred recently at Herring Cove and Race Point beaches in Provincetown, as well as off the coast of Plymouth and Martha’s Vineyard, some as early as mid-December. So if any of you adventurers want to see whales “up close and personal” we suggest you make a beeline for Cape Cod soon and stay at our lovely Inn.

The High Pointe Inn in West Barnstable, Massachusetts was selected as one of the 2012 “Top 10 Romantic Inns” by American Historic Inns and ILoveInns.com. This is the 19th straight year this prestigious designation has been awarded to bed and breakfast inns that “represent the highest standard of bed and breakfast lodging”. Selected from a database of more than 21,000 inns across the country, the Top 10 winners are chosen based on their ability to deliver a romantic setting, fabulous décor, hospitality, and amenities that all contribute to a romantic getaway that couples will long remember.

According to Deborah Sakach, iLoveInns.com founder and 30-year bed and breakfast enthusiast, “These inns share a deep commitment to excellence. They make it easy for couples to celebrate their love and create memorable moments.” The Top 10 Romantic Inns provide landmark locations, landscapes for lingering, lavish accommodations, luxurious settings and legendary hospitality. All you need to do is bring the love of your life.

The High Pointe Inn offers deluxe ocean-view guestrooms with panoramic vistas of the dunes of Sandy Neck Beach and Cape Cod Bay, along with romantic fireplace suites with private decks and luxurious baths. Gracious hospitality and unforgettable breakfasts are the hallmarks of the Inn, which is located just off scenic Route 6A within an easy one-hour drive of Boston or Providence, and convenient to the ferries for Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. The Inn is celebrating this award of distinction with a “February is for Lovers” package designed to sweep your loved one off his or her feet.

The 2012 Top 10 Romantic Inns:

The High Pointe Inn, West Barnstable, Massachusetts

The Inn at Sunrise Point, Lincolnville, Maine

Henderson Park Inn, Destin, Florida

Rosemary Inn, North Augusta, South Carolina

Foxfield Inn, Charlottesville, Virginia

The Villas at Gervasi Vineyard, Canton, Ohio

Inn at Irish Hollow, Galena, Illinois

Johnson Mill Bed & Breakfast, Midway, Utah

Eden Vale Inn, Placerville, California

1906 Lodge, Coronado, California

For more information on these inns please visit the iloveinns.com website

This is the time of year that we are always looking for inspiration to tempt our palates. The holidays are over and summer’s bounty of fresh veggies is a long way off. So on these long winter days and nights, we peruse our library of cookbooks for ideas that will stave off the ennui of dinner doldrums. Lately we’ve been experimenting with the slow cooker and found two great recipes. The first was for BBQ Beef Brisket, which turned out to be our new favorite way of cooking that particularly flavorful, but tough cut of meat. Last night we tried Crockpot Barbeque Chicken (notice a trend here?) and we were rewarded with a moist, smokey, and very satisfying meal. This morning, however, with the Superbowl fast approaching and Valentine’s Day not far off, I dug out two of my favorite, and decidedly indulgent, recipes.

The first is for Curried Chicken Balls, shared by a fellow innkeeper up north where Rich and I owned our first bed and breakfast inn. Originally published in “Southern Sideboards” by the Junior League of Jackson, Mississippi, the recipe may have been tweaked a bit over the years, but the results are always a crowd pleaser.

The second is an all-time favorite that we serve as dessert for friends and family at holiday gatherings. Affectionately called Fantasy Fondue, this delicious chocolate fondue is the perfect accompaniment to fresh fruit and buttery pound cake. For Valentine’s Day, we use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the pound cake into small, bite-size pieces and serve the fondue with fresh strawberries and bananas. For an even more festive event, serve with champagne.

Curried Chicken Balls

Yield: 3 dozen balls

Ingredients:

• ¼ lb. cream cheese, softened
• 2 Tbs. mayonnaise
• 1 cup chopped chicken
• 1 Tbs. curry powder
• 1 Tbs. chopped chutney
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 cup blanched slivered almonds
• ½ cup grated coconut

Directions:

Mash cream cheese. Add mayonnaise, chicken, curry, chutney, slat, and almonds. Mix well and roll into walnut size balls. Roll in coconut. Chill. May be prepared a day in advance; freezes well.

Fantasy Fondue

Serves 8-12

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup half-and-half
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (about 1 ½ cups)
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• ½ teaspoon rum extract

Directions:

Stir half-and-half and sugar in a medium-size saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Add chocolate; stir over low heat until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in butter until melted. Stir in extract. Makes 2 cups. Will keep up to 1 month in a tightly covered glass jar. To reheat, remove lid and place jar in a saucepan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until warm.

To serve:

Prepare chocolate fondue and pour into fondue pot, keeping the pot warm with sterno. Cut up fruit and pound cake into bite-size pieces. Arrange on a glass plate next to the fondue pot. Provide guests with dessert plates and fondue forks, allowing them to select fruit and cake to dip into the fondue using the forks provided.

Let us know if you try either of these recipes, and feel free to share your favorite “go to” recipes with us.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone and Go Pats!