Come Into the Wild - both Virtual and Real - at Cape Cod National Seashore During February Vacation

Date: January 30, 2014
Contact: Sue Haley, District Interpreter, 508-255-3421 ext. 0

Explore the real and imagined "wild" by attending movies from the national seashore winter film series Into the Wild on Sunday afternoons, or by attending a guided tour exploring the adventures of a whaling captain and his family in the wilderness of far off oceans. Or consider exploring the real thing by joining a ranger on an outdoor walk at Coast Guard Beach to search for winter wildlife or learn about the prevalence of shipwrecks from centuries past. Programs are geared towards families and are free of charge. Additionally, throughout the last two weeks of February, activity tables will be set up indoors at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. Outdoor programs are weather-dependent. Call ahead to 508-255-3421, ext. 0 if inclement weather is expected or to get further information.

Saturday, February 15
TOUR: CAPTAIN PENNIMAN HOUSE: A WHALING FAMILY'S STORY - 11 AM, 1 hour. Free.Learn about the Penniman family through a tour of their home and stories of their travels.Examine some of the hardships, adventures, and lifestyle of a whaling family. Meet at the Penniman House at Fort Hill, Eastham. By reservation only. Call Salt Pond Visitor Center, 508-255-3421, to register.

Sunday, February 16
MOVIE: AVATAR - 1:30 PM, 162 minutes. Free. This highest grossing film of all time features an interstellar conflict over preservation and the mining of precious metal on the planet, Pandora. Nominated for nine Academy Awards, the film won Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects. Salt Pond Visitor Center auditorium (theatre-size screen), Eastham. Funding by Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Family program.

WALK: LIGHTHOUSE TOUR of the THREE SISTERS - 2 PM, 1hour, ½ mile. Free. These 19th-century lighthouses once provided a beacon for sailors off the shore of Nauset Light Beach. Come and learn of their history and importance.Meet at Nauset Light Beach parking area, Eastham.

Tuesday, February 18
WALK: STORMY NIGHTS - 1:30 PM, 45 minutes. Free.Cape Cod is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," with over 3,000 recorded wrecks. Join a ranger for a short walk and find out why so many wrecks occurred and hear their compelling stories. Meet at the Coast Guard Beach parking lot, Eastham.

Thursday, February 20

WALK: WINTER BIRD WONDERLAND - 10 AM, up to 2 hours, 1½ miles. Free. In addition to hosting our year-round resident birds, Cape Cod becomes a balmy (relatively speaking) southern destination for birds looking for warmer weather and open water. Meet in the parking area at the Salt Pond Visitor Center, Eastham. Bring binoculars if you have them; we will also have a few to loan.

Saturday, February 22
TOUR: CAPTAIN PENNIMAN HOUSE: A WHALING FAMILY'S STORY - 11 AM, 1 hour. Free.Learn about the Penniman family through a tour of their home and stories of their travels.Examine some of the hardships, adventures, and lifestyle of a whaling family. Meet at the Penniman House at Fort Hill, Eastham. By reservation only. Call Salt Pond Visitor Center, 508-255-3421, to register.

Sunday, February 24
MOVIE: WILD AMERICA - 1:30 PM, 102 minutes. Free. Based on a true story of three brothers who grew up to become renowned animal photographers, this film chronicles their summer adventure roaming America with a camera. Salt Pond Visitor Center auditorium (theatre-size screen), Eastham.Family program. Funding by Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Stop by the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham between 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM:Saturdays, February 15 and 22; Monday, February 17;Friday, February 21; Tuesday, February 25; and Thursday, February 27, to see what the rangers have arranged on the activity table for the day.

IF YOU GO: Salt Pond Visitor Center is located at the intersection of Route 6 and Nauset Road in Eastham, and can be contacted by calling 508-255-3421. The center is open daily from9:00 AM to 4:30 PMand staff is available to assist with activity planning. Stop by and visit the museum, view a park film, enjoy panoramic views of Salt Pond and Nauset Marsh, and shop in the gift and bookstore featuring national seashore-related items. For more information about the seashore's programs, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/caco.

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