Ginger & The Professor: OhMyGawd...CAPE COD

Two years ago, Momma Ginger and Poppa Ginger relocated to the East Coast to tackle one last project before retiring. Luckily for (Baby) Ginger and The Professor, the parental units landed on the shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Next door to the well-known Hyannis, the Craigville Retreat Center sits just 40 steps from the powdery sands of the Nantucket Sound.

The Village of Craigville, where the retreat center is located, was established in 1871 and for a Northern California girl it is a welcomed and unexpected step back in time to historic shingled cottages and authentic gingerbread homes sited around lush greens. A lily-padded pond, officially named 'Lake Elizabeth' hugs the east side of the village and wild wetlands flow off to the west. The hearty accents noted in the 'hellos' offered by year-round residents are as authentically thick as the tufts of indigenous fauna anchoring this lovely piece of land.

This protected little village has been thoughtfully stashed away--staying secluded and unspoiled from the trends of time and greedy exploitation. After traveling the whole way around the globe, finding an accessible retreat that's affordable, peacefully navigable, and not overrun by Starbuck-sipping tourists or man-bun bearing tech bros, feels like finding the Mona Lisa at Goodwill.

Also a huge score, are the Lodge, Manor, and cottages that comprise the accommodations of this property. Refreshingly, the buildings are well kept and have that scent of centuries by the seaside. The paint on the hand-hewn window sills is so thick from countless coats over the years it should have its own historical plaque. New money, this is not. Being able to sleep in these lovely old buildings is a true treat.

Nightly suppers have been dreamed up and concocted by The Professor each and every night. Daily trips to local fish markets like Osterville Too and Cape Fish & Lobster have provided this crew of five (Momma & Poppa Ginger, Auntie Ginger, and the two of us) with the most decadent and delicious fares so fantastic not even Gordon Ramsey could conjure a snarky remark. Stores like Barnstable Market in Barnstable Village have kept us flush with Kobe beef hotdogs, lobster mac and cheese from the hot bar, and for a little taste of home, some Cypress Grove Purple Haze.

In between the meal prepping and daily trips to the beach, the Professor has been able to brush up on his mad piano skills by shedding in the historic tabernacle situated on the North side of the village. All this playing will no doubt whip him into perfect shape for his two upcoming gigs this weekend at the Big Easy in Petaluma and the Gun Club in Geyserville.

The Ginger, you'll be relieved to know, has been devouring classics like A Streetcar Named Desire and The Red Badge of Courage. On the side, she's farmed a few new freckles, courtesy of sunning between the hours of 4:45 PM and 6:00 PM.