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A Cape Cod Beach Day
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A Cape Cod Beach Day |
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Shirls New Member
since 2004-08-05
Posts 5Massachusetts |
August 4, 2004 - A Cape Cod Beach Day It was a late start, I’ll give you that. But I don’t think leaving at 5 or 6 AM would have really made such a big difference. It was crowded! I left Nan’s at about 11 and drove through so many narrow streets. I’d forgotten it was like that. Just barely room for 2 cars to pass each other as I drove through Marston’s Mills and West Barnstable before I finally reached the entrance to Rte 6. I’ve become so much more accustomed to highways in my middle age. I think that’s really kind of sad. There’s so much to be said for the character and comfort of the life we lived 30 or 40 years ago. I love the names of the towns, streets, ponds to be found on Cape Cod. Mostly Indian names, so much history. In general we seem to be forgetting that, aren’t we? Once I found Rte 6 the ride picked up some speed as I drove through Yarmouth, Dennis, Chatham, Brewster. The highway is so impersonal. Now I suddenly missed the narrow, curving roads, the clapboard homes, picket fences, flowers of every kind and color. None of the old courthouses, old farmhouses, none of the everyday activity of ‘old cape cod’. Before long I was driving through Eastham, actually moving at the pace of a power walk as the traffic slowed to a snail’s pace. There was your typical construction delays along with enough traffic, it seemed, to crowd the streets of downtown Boston. All kinds of vehicles….cars, trucks, motorcycles, campers, some from obvious wealth, some ready for demolition, some with a discreet rainbow adhering to the rear bumper, most without. Everyone it seemed wanted to find their share of the beach on this beautiful Wednesday. We were inching along through all of Eastham and into Wellfleet. Along the way I saw signs for wildlife viewing areas, First Encounter Beach, the Audubon Sanctuary in Wellfleet. They could all captivate me if I’d only left a little earlier. Another very modern, lighted sign told me the parking lot at Nauset Beach is full but at Marconi there’s still space. Oh well, I guess it’s Marconi Beach today. I had seen it before and it was really the reason I came back to this part of the Cape today. I’m not unhappy with the choice. There was still the promise of relaxing with the waves at the National Seashore. I had thought about possibly continuing on through Truro and into Provincetown but the traffic was not helping to calm me at all so I’ve decided that will be an outing that should wait for off-season. Finally, the right turn to Marconi Station and Beach. It’s probably nearly a mile to the entrance booth. Last time I visited there was no fee, an advantage of visiting in the early fall. Today it will cost $10.00 to park for the day. Of course I have already lost half of that. But I’m free to go to any other National Park today if I could only find the time. It’s now 1 PM. I actually got a little lucky as I drove around the nearly full lot and found a parking space not too far from the beach. I didn’t come prepared to swim or sunbathe. This was planned to be a relaxing walk along the surf. On my last visit it had seemed so unspoiled and the waves so beautiful. This is the outer arm of the Cape and not very protected so the waves can be fairly high by Atlantic Ocean standards. You’ll even find the occasional surfer. Today is different. As I got out of the car I made sure I had the backpack loaded…suntan lotion, camera, water, snack, don’t forget the car key and of course binoculars. After a quick stop at the bathhouse it’s just a short walk to the beach. Already it’s feeling crowded. Besides the people the boardwalk is covered with sand, all white, soft and warm from the sun. I didn’t bring a beach chair but I shouldn’t need one as I’ve never enjoyed just laying in the sun for the sake of getting tan. I’d much prefer to explore whatever can be found at the surf’s edge. The stairs to the beach are steep and probably three times a regular flight. Although I expected crowds it was still something of a shock when I came to the crest of that giant dune. Looking over the edge and down those steep steps I could only describe what was there as a mass of bodies of all ages, shapes, sizes and with them a mass of beach umbrellas in every color imaginable. More than a thousand? More than two thousand? I couldn’t guess. It seemed that everyone who is visiting Cape Cod this week had the same plan as mine. As I descended to the beach it was even difficult to find a place to walk through the throngs. Everyone there seemed to be having fun especially the children. Beach toys were flying, towels covered the sand, young bodies worked diligently on their tans. But for me ‘fun’ follows a much quieter road. I could hardly find the surf. I just wanted to escape. So with backpack in place and binoculars ready in my right hand I set off to my left. Within a few hundred feet the crowds thinned and I finally saw the waves breaking. I ventured closer to the water now, though still not finding the peace I had so hoped for. Today I was forced to share this national treasure with fellow tourists. Many wanted to walk as I did. One very brave and fit soul was running in the sand. Some collected souvenirs of the sea….sea glass, shells, even a live crab. There were gulls of all ages and species, terns, peeps chasing the waves up and back from the water’s edge in their constant search for food. The sun was shining gloriously. Now I wish I’d brought that chair, found a solitary spot and just watched the waves breaking again and again. I continued my walk, getting wet along the way as the tide is coming in and the waves crashed against my uncovered legs. High tide will be in less than an hour. I must have walked more than a mile from that overcrowded beach, never to be totally alone but certainly more isolated and closer to what I had been searching for. The ocean was my gift to myself. My holiday, my time to explore feelings. It was time to turn back. Another mile or more. Walking in sand is more difficult, slower. It’s harder to judge distance. I had walked for nearly two hours. I felt so rested. So peaceful. Suddenly I was back to the beach with the laughing children, the families, the confusion. When you’re alone that’s not always a way to have fun, at least for me, so it was time to return to the car; but not before another stop at the bathhouse to rinse off the souvenir sand and salt of this beautiful day. The ride back to Nan’s seemed to go more quickly despite a quick stop in Eastham. I still wanted to see First Encounter Beach though the expense for parking didn’t justify my short stay. I would like to have visited for a while but in today’s society the beach has become a money making venture. I wonder what those first settlers whould think of such an enterprise. The windmill in the center of Eastham common was begging to have its picture taken by a tourist such as me. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Should I brave the crowds again tomorrow? Perhaps the Vineyard? [This message has been edited by Shirls (08-05-2004 10:56 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2004 Shirls - All Rights Reserved | |||
Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
nice account of the day... harder to do with style and to keep the interest of the reader than some think.. well done |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I enjoyed this walk with you, Shirls. Even your pen-name sounds like ocean waves. I do hope you enjoy your new poet's home! Welcome to Passions! |
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SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
you make me miss the ocean even more than I already do! Welcome  |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
Hooray, hooray .... I just loved this. Especially since I've been there and done that for the past 30 years. We spent many a day in Wellfleet. We have just recently moved to NH and as much as I love the mountains and the lakes, I do miss the ocean. Thank you for sharing and bringing the ocean to NH. Give Nan a hug for me! Marti Look deep, deep into nature, |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Bravo! Welcome to PiP...I enjoyed reading this so much..it was like you were sitting next to me telling me all about your trip. You have a 'ease' with words that is rare..I look forward to reading more from you.  |
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Shirls New Member
since 2004-08-05
Posts 5Massachusetts |
Thank you all for the warm welcome and positive feedback. This was a first attempt so hopefully the ideas will continue and the content improve! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
... And so - Shirl comes to visit the day the County Fair ends... We go on a whale watch and get rain checks because there were so few whales... She goes to the beach on the only sunny day (while I'm working) and finds more people on the sand than Cape Cod can hold... She's inundated with licking pups and frolicking kittens... It continues to rain... She reads two books... AND SHE WRITES!!! How kewl is this?? Welcome to my world, Shirl - Your story is great and I'm looking for lots more to follow...   |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Shirley this made me "home sick." I miss it there so much and especially those old houses, which I loved. Oh...not to mention the Christmastree Shop  Good grief if it is raining you can stay in there all day! Great story and welcome to the world of words. Nice to great you especially |
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