Where Have I Been?

I owe an apology to my readers. I haven’t written a post since my worm bag entry back in mid-June. We spent July trying not to drown in the almost continual downpours. Meanwhile the West Coast is on fire with smoke coloring our east coast sunsets. Isn’t it a strange life?

COVID kept us away from Cape Cod in 2020 and I felt the separation from that place.  However we returned in 2021 and I’m happy to report that it is as beautiful as ever.

We returned with a purpose. My late sister wanted her cremains spread in the Atlantic and we were able to fill that request. My sister planned a memorial boat ride, dinner and gathering in Eastham. I had the chance to play some tunes with my cousins.  As tradition dictates we ended the night with the Leadbelly song Goodnight Irene.

Return To The Sea

When my time comes I cannot imagine a better cemetery than this. Returning elemental calcium and phosphorus to the sea. my cremains will raise the PH level of the seawater  and become incorporated into seashells and fish bones. No box in the dirt for me.

Monomoy Island Excursions

My sister booked a seal cruise from Monomoy Island Excursions for the family.  At low tide hundreds of Gray Seal bask and rest on the narrow sand spit that forms Monomoy Island.  The tour started with a view of some of the historic buildings. I was most excited about seeing some closeup views of the Cormorants which greeted us.

Nantucket Sleigh Ride

After a somewhat leisurely tour we headed out to Monomoy Island. Our guide warned us that we would pick up some speed and referred to our speedy ride as a “Nantucket Sleigh Ride”. Once we picked up speed it was quite a ride.

https://youtu.be/SNm2FtOmpPk

We slowed for a view of a lighthouse which had sold by the government to a private citizen. It had no amenities but does have an ocean view.  We also spotted a boat with a name that fits the times we live in.

Stranded

We were at Cape Cod for 5 days. I never experienced a low tide. At low tide the shorebirds scurry along the shore. At low tide the waves roll in for the boogie boards. At low tide the beach real estate increases a hundredfold. At low tide we would have seen hundreds of basking seals at Monomoy. However it was high tide when we were there.

However we did see something that justified my opinion of our collective idiocy. Much of Monomoy Island is under water at high tide. Brochures warn you of that , explaining that if you hike out you need to return before the high tide. So it came as no surprise to see two women on beach chairs in the middle of the ocean. They did wave as we sailed by  or was that a cry for help?

Sunrise

In Eastham it takes about 10 minutes to drive to the bay side or the ocean side. There is no reason not to make the short trip to see the sunrise and the sunset directly over the water. It happens very quickly, a bright flash of orange-red coming from the ocean.

This is a communal event. A number of photographers, dog walkers and kids with selfie sticks gather on the shoreline for that moment.

Sunset

A large crowd of people gather at First Encounter Beach for their last encounter of the sun as it sets over Cape Cod bay. They fly kites, take selfies and applaud the sun as it dips below the horizon. It is quite festive. When some of my cousins joined me, they broke into a chorus of “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof.