Ever since Figgy was little, I’ve loved stealing away to Cape Cod on this weekend for one last deep breath of ocean air, bird watching, wind, iced coffee, windmills and more before winter sets in. I liked taking the girl out of Montclair, out of normal life, out of suburbia and onto that beautiful Cape. Connecting with her on a deeper level, in nature. I hoped that the magical old place would fill her soul, and I tried to do it as often as was practical, whether Dan could join us or not. (This weekend, he has to work at two parties in NYC; #60SecondNovelist. The post-Covid party circuit is heating up.)
I think Cape Cod was a great gift to Figgy. I often recall the time Dan and I were walking near Great Island in Wellfleet with Fig, in her blue flowered fleece coat, and we saw a ravaged dead seal. She stood and stood, studying it on the way onto and off that sandy path. I turn this memory over carefully and with love, like a seashell I brought back from her childhood.
I pray for the Cape Cod gift for Skippy, too. She kicks up her heels about not wanting to walk at the Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary, but I usually win. Toads, turtles, egrets, fiddler crabs and more, depending on the season. But above all, quiet. Unplugged from our devices, if only for an hour.
This time, my Douglass College roommate and dear friend, Meg, and her husband, Greg, are driving from Stowe, Vermont to the Cape, too! (Their close Stowe friend, the pastor at their church, was reassigned to the Cape a few years ago and Meg and Greg will stay with him and his wife Friday and Saturday.) I can’t wait. Meg found the Dan’l Webster Inn, historic lodging in Sandwich. Rates are much lower off-season and the Harvest the Savings Package includes 20 percent off Sunday through Thursday nights, plus food and spa product vouchers. I’m also trying to get a writing assignment. We’ll see, to quote my Brooklyn friends Kim and F.
Did I say I can’t wait?
It’s not just the destination, but also the journey, of course. The leaving behind thick traffic on Route 95 North; passing through Providence, Rhode Island; navigating the narrower Route 6 East.
Here is what I hope to do. (I know Skippy can’t wait to spend time with her long-time pal, M., so some of this I will do alone when Meg and Greg break away.)
- Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to walk on those silent pine needle-paved paths at least twice.
- Hot Chocolate Sparrow for iced coffee twice.
- Mac’s Seafood Market in Eastham at least once to browse the grocery edit and maybe get steamed lobster and melted butter? (Avoiding white flour whenever possible, so skip the lobster roll.)
- Sandwich! Dan and I have been around there before, taking Figgy and our friends to see the super cool herring run over spring breaks. But I have not explored the whole village and it should be great! Meg speaks of an inlet and lighthouse. I read about a tea store/tea shop. Browsing is always fun.
- Eastham Superette, for old time’s sake; I remember it since age 4 I think.
- Reading, self-pampering, possibly a modest spa treatment like pedicure if possible.
- I also plan to attend an OA meeting every day on Zoom, from Thursday morning before departure through Sunday morning.
Posts
Sounds fabulous! Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteThank you MTM xx
Delete