Cloudy skies produced a light mist for our morning. Wrapped in my camping blanket and sweatshirt, I refused to let the elements get the best of me. As my friend Eric says, “There’s no bad weather, just bad gear.” With the right equipment, you can persevere through any storm.
Ron spent the morning making a course adjustment. Reading reviews, he realized the campground we booked for Schroon Lake didn’t have water and electricity. Since we’re staying three nights, we need the necessities. Our laptops charge won’t last three days. Thankfully, he had no difficulty finding us an alternative campground at Lake George,
Wanting to explore the entire Cape, we drove 37 miles to the tip in Provincetown. Along the way, we passed Cape Cod National Seashore Park, which was one of John F. Kennedy’s accomplishments during his short term in office. Having a political nerd for a husband means I’m constantly learning something new. His wealth of knowledge is a constant amazement.
“You gotta watch out for the quiet ones,” my mother always said. She was right. Just because they’re quiet doesn’t mean they’re dumb. Wise people use few words.
CCNSP Lighthouse 
How we roll
A short drive through the park gave us the first view of the Atlantic. We also noticed the Nauset Bicycle Trail, one of three the park has to offer.
Originally were going to take our bikes across the ferry to Nantucket but decided against it because of the rain. As Ron says, “Put that on the list for the next time we come back.”
We want to come back to this area to try all of the different bike trails. I told Ron I’d like to spend at least two weeks here, but that probably isn’t enough.
We passed the capes only Drive-in theater and thought about going, just for the experience. Unfortunately, the early movie was Minions, which we’d seen before. And would see again, but not on a rainy night in the car—another thing on the list to do next time.
12:03 Ron said, “It’s actually lightening up.”
“These dunes are amazing; I mean, look at them. Wow!” Ron’s words as we drove into Race Point Beach (RPB).
Entering RPB was unexpectedly breathtaking. Neither of us has seen dunes as massive as these that are natural. A light green moss was growing we couldn’t identify.
Ron’s words, “Look at that green stuff, I don’t even know what that is?”
RPB is part of the CCNSP:
“The park opened to the public in 1965, with the National Park Service controlling around 20,000 acres of land. That total has since more than doubled and includes the entire Atlantic Ocean shoreline of the outer and lower cape.” CCNSP Website
Blowing wind made for a chilly walk to the water’s edge. The blue mat intended to aid the descent down the steep hill didn’t make me feel confident, but I didn’t fall. Ron said we could walk to the Race Point Lighthouse around the tip, but the cold wind deterred us from venturing any further.
RPB where the seals come out to play during low tide.
Provincetown is a short drive from RPB. Ron’s driving skills are phenomenal. I’ve become a better driver than him. Rarely does he make me nervous.
People’s selfishness on the roads annoys him highly. He always recalls the line from The Shack. When God talks about someone, she always said, “I’m especially fond of you.” Ron thinks the words say, “God loves everyone,” well. When Ron’s irritated with someone’s driving, he remembers that line and applies it when someone commits a driving offense.
Beach seating 
Art 
Beautiful architecture 
Kayaks out of the car. 
Not a typical CVS
Meandering around Ptown, as the locals call Provincetown, was another surprise. I now understand New England architecture in a whole new way. Cedar Shake shingles are long-lasting in the windy weather found on the point. Houses cocooned together, ready to weather the next storm. A fishing village whose streets are bustling with activity.
Stores and restaurants lined the streets of the town center. Every restaurant seemed to have a seating line. Obviously a cultural mecca, one could spend days exploring the town. But we only had hours, so we did the best we could.
Lunch at Bayside Betsy’s was delicious. After waiting a few minutes for seating, the hostess escorted us into a room of windows that framed a picturesque view. Who knew such a place existed?
Nannette was our overworked waitress. She was double-seated when the hostess sat us in her section. Bouncing from one table to the next, she served with a smile on her face. Ron ordered the Lobster Roll; I had the Tuna Nicoise Salad.
We headed back to the car after lunch, stopping in several stores hunting down the perfect t-shirt. After finding one, Ron made a beeline for the car.
Provincetown is a crowded place in the summer. Small streets and sidewalks, people of all ages mixed with traffic, all clamoring together to enjoy the waterside setting.
If Ptown was that busy on a random Monday afternoon in July, I could only imagine what the weekends are like.
Rain started again on the drive back to the campground. I count the two hours of dry weather a blessing from above. When I said as much to Ron, he replied, “Yep. Cleared up for us, then started raining on the drive back.”
Ron spotted Oliver’s Red Clay Tennis Courts on the drive out to the tip. Unfortunately, the rain started again once we left Provincetown, which closed the courts. We at least stopped for some pictures and to get a feel for the place. Ron stayed in the truck while I snuck under the rope to snap a few shots.
Summer romance is my best summary of facility. Many love stories have probably taken place in the club over its fifty-two years of existence. The club’s story and mine both start in 1969, of course, I love the club:-).
Ron told me a story about prisoners in Maine who rioted because all they were fed was lobster. Now Lobster is a delicacy. As Ron says, “Now a lobster tail costs you 40, 50 bucks for a meal.”
On the drive home, we noticed traffic was heavy heading into Ptown.
Since I started writing Meandering Morrison’s, my favorite moments are when Ron reads it. Today, at lunch, I was making notes for Meandering. I look over and Ron’s reading something on his phone with a half-smile on his face. I asked him what he was reading. He says, “Just catching up on meanderings.”
The homes are quaint and welcoming here. Ron sums them up well, “They’re small, but they’re beautiful.”
Cape Cod is a series of little beaches. Passing by Harwich beach, teens were playing in the water. Catching a glimpse of a playful moment between a boy in red trunks as he swatted water at a female nearby made me smile. Summer romances are in full swing right now all over the east coast. Young hearts are experiencing the pangs of first love, not thinking about when summer ends. Summer romances are the best love stories:-).
Laundry and work called, so we did both. After putting the clothes in to wash, we went to Shaws’ Market, which had a Starbucks inside.
At one point, I purchased a card to send a friend and was in line at the pharmacy behind two old friends chatting. As the first gentlemen left, he said, “See you soon.” Phil bent over because of age, responded: ” I hope so.” Phil’s response struck me. His words carried the weight of someone who knows how fragile life is. Age does make you aware of that fact, no doubt.
Driving home, we discovered The Seal Pub and Cafe. We enjoyed an afternoon cocktail and delicious stuffed clams. I’m not a lover of clams or oysters, but these could change my mind.
Ron loves checking the weather. “It’s 88 degrees at home right now. That’s 24 degrees warmer than here. That’s crazy!”
Building a fire was easy in the dug-out pit. Plus, I’m getting lots of practice. We didn’t have the Pop-Up-Pit when we made the trip to Colorado; we didn’t think we would need one out west. We were wrong. Very few campgrounds had firepits. We couldn’t find a portable one anywhere, so that trip was fireless. Thank God, this one is not.
Another good day our east coast adventure. The cool night air was perfect for a warm fire. Stars flickered in the night sky. Thank You, God, for another day.
Wonderful, thx for sharing!