The Painting Has Begun!

Photo: Walls primed. Looks darker in photo than it really is.

The painter, Jeff, started yesterday. All the walls and wood was primed and today the paint goes on. I’ve had four guys working in my basement at one time or another, and even the paint color is a guy’s name…Tony Taupe!

Here’s to Kurt, Jimmy, Matt, Jeff and Tony!

Homeward Bound

There’s no place like home, Toto.

Up at 6:30. Very warm and humid, cloudy and windy. By 9 temp was 72° with dew point of 67°…that’s humid!

I had my breakfast at the counter at The Fairway restaurant. Then I gassed up for the trip home. On the road at 10:09. I took the scenic routes: 28 to 39 to 28 to 151 to 28 to the Bourne Bridge. Didn’t take any more time and was approximately the same mileage…maybe 6 miles longer.

In no time the car was unpacked and I was off to the grocery store for a few necessary provisions. After a much needed shower, I’m finally settling in and basking in the memories of another Cape Cod vacation.

Till next year.

BTW: give me some time to get the pictures in order so I can post my vacation pics!

Day Seven

After a skunky night I was up by 6:45. Once the smell of skunk #1 was gone, and I went back to bed, skunk #2 let go. Grrrrrrr!

Right now it’s 8:45 and breakfast and the dishes are done. What I’m going to carry on my walk will be gathered and I’ll head for Coast Guard Beach.

Once I’m there, I’ll determine whether I leave my shoes and socks at the foot of the ramp or I keep them on. The main reason for wearing my shoes (bike riding Keene Commuters) and socks (Smartwool®) would be if the area right at the water line is sloped toward the water. Walking any distance on that kind of slant is difficult to begin with; being barefoot would make it painful. Plus these shoes are meant to get wet and dry quickly; same for the socks.

The weather is cool, breezy (winds S at 10-20). I will be walking into the wind on my way to Nauset Inlet and it will be at my back when I return. I hope Paul D is right about it being less than a mile! ☺

Here I go. See you later!
*******

I’m back! The walk was perfect…closer to 1 mile out. Nauset Inlet is wider than I’ve ever seen it and more north than I’ve ever seen it. But the Cape beaches are changing all the time. When I post my pictures, you will see how the beach has been cut in layers.

As predicted the wind was in my face as I walked at the water line, south, toward the Inlet. I decided to keep my shoes on to make it easier to walk. Good decision. There were so many things to watch out for: where I was walking, so I wouldn’t trip over a rock or my own feet; where the surf was as it continued rushing at me on the incoming tide; and where was the seal that kept poking it’s head out of the water just to tease me. I’m pleased to report that my feet stayed dry (although it was tempting to walk closer to the water) and I avoided any ass slapping waves sneaking up behind me.

Later this afternoon my plan is to go to Napi’s for my splurge dinner out. I have decided against having lobster because that species is being over fished. Scallops or shrimp will be my choice this evening.

And now, I guess, it’s time to start thinking about going home and getting back into some semblance of a routine. My friend, Dolores, called to ask about going to Shelburne Falls on Sunday, which caused me to call Barbara to see if she was planning on going. This is where I start letting go of My Cape Cod and begin gearing up for My Home Sweet Home. ☺

I did indeed go to Napi’s and had Scallops Provincal. Very good. Would you believe 10 large scallops? I divided the contents of my plate in half…ate half and brought home half. That will be a meal for me tomorrow when I get home. On the way home I noticed it was getting a little foggy. We have warm temps and high dew points, no wonder.

This is the conclusion of my 2010 Cape Cod vacation. It’s been a good week in spite of the high winds all week and inconvenient times for high tides. I was forced to become creative. The only thing I didn’t get to do was ride the Cape Cod Rail Trail from Wellfleet to Dennis. Usually I take two days to do that one. Here’s to next year!

Day Six

I woke up early enough but just couldn’t (didn’t want to) get out of bed. Finally made it at 6:45. I have big plans for today and need to get a move on. Nothing to hurry over…just keep focused.

The winds have been unmerciful this week. I saw a lot of people bike riding yesterday (all week, actually) in the most unbelievably strong winds. That’s a judgment call based on my ability and willingness to ride in high winds. Yesterday we had 20 mph sustained with gusts to 30+ mph. I saw people of all ages pedaling away. Some looked my age or older. Well, I guess they are either stronger or crazier than I am. I had to be careful not to get blown over the edge of wherever I was standing to take pictures. I could have easily wound up in P’town Harbor or into the waters off Morris Island.

While I’m at it, I want to mention the surf. Was it heavy? Yes. Was it bad? No. It wasn’t the kind of surf that ate away at the dunes (not on the beaches I visited). I have seen worse, where the breakers were crashing right at the base of the dunes and spraying up to the top of Coast Guard Beach observation deck. In that storm, I had to brace myself in order not to be blown into the roiling water. I’ll have to see if I can find those pictures. They were taken with a regular film camera, but I think I have every picture I have ever taken on Cape Cod. ☺

OK. It’s now almost 8 am and I’d better get a move on if I’m going to get ahead of today’s winds…predicted to be 10-20 mph today. I want to be out there while they are 10! ☺

I treated myself to breakfast at van Rensselaer’s restaurant. Then it was on to the challenge of the week. I headed for the Province Lands Bike Trail. I have probably attempted this trail at least 5 times and it has defeated me every time. And every time I was defeated I vowed to never ride this trail again. But of course I did.

There has been a hiatus of five years since I have been to the Cape, and, in that time the bike trail has undergone vast upgrades. Some of the hills were made less severe and some of the curves were re-worked. The trail was widened to 10 feet and sand containment was added where needed.

Well, the trail may be new and improved, but I’m not! ☺☺☺

To make a long ride a short story…I aced it! I had to stop and rest at the top of some hills and stop and rest between some hills. BUT I NEVER WALKED MY BIKE UP ANY HILL!!!!! I met a couple along the way and she was walking her bike up a hill. She said that there was no embarrassment for her to walk a hill. Then I explained that this trail was my nemesis and not walking hills was part of the challenge! Nine and a half miles later I feel that I never need ride this trail again…but, of course I will.

After stopping at Dunkin’ Donuts to post yesterday’s journal I went back to the cottage and showered and snacked. Paul D came by to mow the lawn. I mentioned I hadn’t walked out to Nauset inlet because of the high winds, rough surf and inconvenient tides. Mostly the winds. He told me that the inlet is only about a half to three quarters of a mile from Coast Guard Beach. It has migrated about as far north as it ever does. Even if the winds are a little gusty I can do that! Now I have a plan for tomorrow…my last day here. My goodness the week has gone by fast!

When I came onto the Cape, I bought a cooked ½ chicken, 2 medium potatoes and half a butternut squash. I got four meals out of that…finishing all of it tonight. And it was soooo good!

Day Five

Up at a little before 7. I had high hopes I would be able to either ride a trail or maybe walk Coast Guard Beach today. Forget it. Right now (8 am) winds at 20 mph with gusts (already) to 30 mph out of the SSW. It looks like I won’t be able to do much until maybe tomorrow.

(OMG…I saw something out of the corner of my eye and when I focused, here was a spider coming down from the ceiling. I’m not a screamer…I’m a mover. Out of my chair, grab my computer because it was about to be the landing strip, and grab a magazine. No more problem.)

As I was about to say, I’ve about had it with this wind. I guess this will be a day of driving around from Stage Harbor to Provincetown. Now that’s a hunk of real estate! I guess this is the day (maybe) I have my splurge dinner at Napi’s. I have to manage my time well today in order to be hungry in P’town around 5 pm.

While in P’town I want to go to Cuffy’s to see what I can find in the way of cold weather wear. The last time I was there (the weekend I came for poetry last year) I picked up a set (sweats and a matching hooded top) for a total of $19. I wore it a lot last winter. Lord knows I don’t need any more sweatshirts! You never know what I’ll find.

So it’s on to breakfast…I think I will be good this morning and have hot quinoa with sliced apple. I did find some sugar so that is a GO!

Note: quinoa with sugar not as good as quinoa with honey.
Note: just took a good look at my face. Oh, yes. I did get sun warmed yesterday. I wasn’t in the sun that much. Most of my time yesterday was spent on shaded pathways. I guess I’ll put a thin film of sunscreen on today.

As I head out today, I plan to stop at the Sparrow Espresso in Orleans. I understand they are a wi-fi hot spot. Maybe I can connect from the parking lot. I don’t want to go inside because I feel obligated to buy something, and espresso coffee is not what I want or need! ☺

Gassed up: 317.7 miles ÷ 8.453 gal. = 37.584 mpg. I love my Fit Sport!

Did not connect with a hot spot. I guess you have to go inside.

Chatham Light: the cut in the barrier beach is huge. It looks like the surf is breaking out where the barrier used to be. Way to the left (north) there seems to be two houses on the barrier beach still hanging on.

Stage Harbor: I love going up to Stage Harbor. This day I came in on the west end (never did that before) and thus saw homes I had never seen before. These are $2-$5 million homes. Mammoth in size. Breathtaking. Then I went around to the east end…the one that has the sign Private Property. I always seem to get lost trying to find something else and wind up in this private area. Beautiful homes, but none that can compare to the west end.

Monomoy: If you don’t get lost in Stage Harbor you were probably looking for Morris Island and the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. There is a wooden staircase leading to the beach, but when the tide is high and the surf rough, it’s a bit of a challenge. Going down these steps I realized there was a rhythm: step, step, step...one, two, three. It was a waltz! On the way back from the stairs, I spotted a squirrel, upside down, on the bird feeder (picture will be posted after I get home). Reminded me of that Grey Marauder/Damned Squirrel that was the subject of one of my poems.

Feels like my hair is getting shellacked again! ☺

Back to cottage for lunch: I got back here around 1ish. Had a light lunch and tried to draw up a plan for the afternoon.

My plans are changing as fast as the winds are blowing. I decided to go into P’town this afternoon for shopping (Cabot’s Fudge and Cuffy’s my prime objectives) and save Napi’s for Thursday or Friday night. Winds are currently 22 mph out of the SW in P’town. I’ll try hard not to get blown away. ☺

Can you believe it? I didn’t find anything at Cuffy’s. Last year at this time they had some really great fitted jackets. This year they had more coffee and soup mugs. Well, that saved me some money!

Cabot’s Fudge never fails to satisfy. I have a pound of fudge in the fridge with no intention to even open the bag until I get home. Wish me luck on that one! ☺

Found a hot spot in the parking lot of Dunkin’ Donuts. All I did was post yesterday’s journal. Didn’t check email or fb. I’ll do that tomorrow when I post this one. At least now I don’t have to go in and buy something. Working in the car is a little cramped, though…not the most comfortable.

It’s going to be a warmer night than we’ve had up until now…this week anyway. I’ll leave more windows open tonight, but have my quilt nearby just in case.

Got a look at the full Harvest moon as the season changed from Summer to Fall (on the calendar). The moon was big and beautiful and Jupiter was below it.

DAY FOUR

It’s Tuesday, already!

Here’s a little gem from the (Cape Cod) September Nature Calendar: “The first snow comes 6 weeks after the last T-storm in Sept.” What if there aren’t any thunderstorms in Sept.? ☺

Up at 7:30! What? I did go to bed late last night…11:30. Stayed up to watch The Event and The Chase (NBC). The Event is a keeper. Not sure I’d watch Chase again. It’s a formula story: bad guy kills someone; good guys chase bad guy while blowing up and shooting up everything in sight along the way. Good guys catch bad guys after chase and fight. In this one, the primary good guys is a gal.

The morning is chilly and sunny with not much wind. What to do. The forecast says the winds will pick up later today and switch to the SW at 15 -20 mph. Too much for riding. Hmmm.

Maybe I can wait until almost low tide this afternoon and walk Coast Guard Beach. If the winds are from the SW, then I should be sheltered by the dunes. If I walk, it has to be close to the surf where the sand is more hard-packed. If I have to walk in the soft sand…forget it. It’s a good theory. How many of my ‘good theories’ have gotten me into trouble? ☺

So, if I chug down to Chatham then dance up to Dunkin’ Donuts then hang around until it’s time to walk Coast Guard Beach…sounds like a plan to me. Low tide is at 5ish so, if I go down around 3, I’ll be able to determine what I can do. I would be walking into the wind going out to Nauset Inlet and have the wind at my back on the return trip.

By 8 am I decide it’s time to get dressed and start making some decisions here!

Left on my bike at 9 to go get the paper and some AA batteries for the kitchen clock. I got to the store at 9:30 after a pleasant ride. Back home at 10. Now that I have a newspaper, I should have breakfast…2 sausage, home fries, an egg. Yes!

I guess the day has decided to be lazy. I’m OK with that. The last 3 days have been very busy. What I actually did was: spend some time down at South Sunken Meadow Beach on the Bay side. Off with the shoes and socks. The soft, warm sand between my toes feels so good! ☺ I walked along the edge of the water feeling the sand scouring the bottom of my feet. ☺

Next I went over to the Audubon Center and walk the Silver Spring trail. I particularly wanted to go out to the Marsh Cabin to take a picture of it for a friend of mine who used to vacation there as a kid. I missed the shortcut and walked farther than I originally planned. It was worth the mistake. How beautiful the ponds with their lily pads and unseen chug-a-rums. The marsh is ablaze with all the colors of fall beginning to appear. The grasses are brown, yellow, green, while the scrub brush is beginning to show orange and red. AND the poison ivy is all over the place…it too is colorful, anywhere from glossy green to shiny red.

Then I popped over to Dunkin’ Donuts to check email and fb, then post Day Three to my blog. Scratched Coast Guard Beach. I’ve walked enough today and the wind is still up.

6:15. Just took my shower…my face is feeling a little sun-warmed. Settled in for the night. Not even going down to South Sunken Meadow Beach for sunset. Some of my favorite shows are premiering tonight…another late night.

Day Three

Day Three

Monday. A comfortable night’s sleep. Up at 6:30 to a very windy, cool and sunny start of the day.

Breakfast at 8 then off to Orleans Friends Market for specials and a stop at the Birdwatchers’ Store

At the BWS they will give you a free pencil if you tell them a good joke. I asked them if it could be a regional joke. Yes, that would be ok. I told them I was from Connecticut and my joke was: Hurricane Earl. That rang the bell and I got my free pencil.

Then it was off to survey MY Cape Cod…beach by beach.

Rock Harbor: Fleet’s in. The fishing fleet that is. Conditions way too dangerous to be out fishing.
Fort Hill: An artist was setting up his easel and I told him his paint was going to dry before he could get it on the canvas. ☺
Coast Guard Beach: Surf is really up and the tide is still coming in. Almost dead high. I stopped at the visitors’ center and bought two books.
Nauset Beach: Heavy surf. Up and over the berm. A woman was way to close to the surf and turned her back to the ocean. I cringed as she got ass-slapped by a breaking wave. She was lucky it didn’t drag her out to sea. She was soaking wet from head to foot. Not a smart thing to do.

At noon I stop at the cottage for some food and a potty break.

Marconi Beach: The sand is blowing something fierce and sand blasting everyone who has the courage to stand there. This was not happening on the other beaches. It’s probably the way the land curves and presents a different angle to the wind.
Marconi Site: The dunes have been eaten away to an extreme. Pretty soon they will have to move the diorama of Marconi’s telegraph station. I don’t remember it being this close to the edge…like maybe 5 ft.
LeCount Hollow: Spent lots of time on this beach many years ago. Today I took note of the sign that indicated the dunes were sliding.
Beachcomber at Cahoon Hollow: This isn’t the official beach, it’s a parking lot overlooking the ocean. The Beachcomber is a joint, club, tavern, bar…take your pick. It is now closed for the season.
Newcomb Hollow: High tide was 2 hours ago at 11 am, so the surf is not as impressive. However, with that gale force north wind, all the sand from Race Point is on its way to Chatham.
Ballston Beach: A steep climb to the top of the dune then a steep drop to the beach. I did the climb, took pictures, declined the drop to the beach.
Herring Cove Beach: What surf? Calm as could be.

Finally in Provincetown. This is just a reconnaissance tour. I’ll be back another day to get my fudge at Cabot’s and my lobster at Napi’s. The first thing I did when I got into town was find a bathroom where I could wash my sunglasses and glasses. They were coated with a fine, greasy, sticky film of salt and sand. Sat in Lopes Square while ate a cheeseburger and did some people watching,

Stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts to get my email and send replies. Replies have to be sent using my Yahoo! account. That’s ok. As long as it works. Caught up on fb.

As I came out of DD’s, two ladies were unloading antiques from a pick-up. There was a delicate rocking chair with a caned seat. I could not resist the temptation to go in. My goodness. It was like being in my mother-in-law’s house again. Caned shaker chairs, Hitchcock chairs, tables, etc. I spotted a lovely little “cabinet”. It was no more than 24” high, 18” wide, and about 6” deep. It was painted a cream color with floral stencil on the doors and the small drawer below. Price: $40. Hmmmm. I looked at the drawer…no dovetailing; the bottom was of a modern material (don’t remember what it’s called but it’s some kind of fiber on the back and smooth on the front…is it called ‘masonite’). The door panels were of the same material…painted and stenciled. The back was broken clear across the back so that it was two pieces held in place by nails. It was beat up, but it had charm. We negotiated. He would not take $25 or $30. I would not pay $35. It probably wasn’t worth the $25 I initially offered. Oh, well. Either some sucker will pay full price or I’ll be back and get it for $10. Billingsgate Art and Antiques…will eventually have a web site. I’m thinking they are a new storefront. Sure have a great location…between the post office and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Then it was home and into the shower. My hair was sticking out all over the place and felt like it was shellacked. Felt good to be clean again.