MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH CAPE COD

Seagull Beach Friday

After all these years I am still in love with Cape Cod! The Cape is timeless, and it is one of my favorite places to be! The dunes, the abundance of summery beaches, the hot buttery lobster rolls, the salt air, and all the crystal clear memories keep calling me back.

This past Friday I took a much needed day-cation. Two of my best pals, Gina and Gracie, picked me up and we were Bourne Bridge Bound. We were also traffic proof. My friend Gina has a system where you call out your favorite songs and just like that they’re played. (As a music fanatic that is heaven to me.) So, imagine driving to the Cape sipping iced coconut coffee, munching on Chips Ahoy cookies and gummy sharks, stretched out in the back seat with plenty of a/c, while listening to the tune Crystal Blue Persuasion as the Cape lures you back. Traffic smaffic!  We played songs like Summer by War (I urge you to check this song out right now). The mellow beat, and laid back lyrics seduce you with an incredible summer time vibe. Yes, its summer, my time of year….

Keeping things Ageless (as this blog promises) Gina, one of my new best buds, is nineteen, so we played some contemporary songs like Old Town Road and Boys in the Band! Seeing Gina so excited over those songs immediately brought me back to being nineteen (which is exactly the age I started going to Hyannis).

As soon as we crossed the bridge and reached the Cape I continued a tradition of mine. We blasted Joni Mitchell’s Carey. Come on down to the mermaid café and I will buy you a bottle of wine….That song just sums up that carefree and barefoot Cape Cod feeling and the feeling inside my heart. Hearing this classic song with all four wheels now on Cape Cod ground, just created an outpouring; a myriad of memories of Hyannis, Dennis, Chatham, Yarmouth, Wellfleet, and more just enveloped and comforted me.

                                             Gina, New Friends, Old Places                                          

                                          

So many summers of my young adult life were spent here with friends and family. I vividly remember walking down Main Street in Hyannis always dressed in something eye-catching.  One summer night, between my short shorts, cowboy boots, and big hat, and, my sister’s handsome surfer dude boyfriend, we got so many stares. I felt invincible. Then there was mini-golfing with my family wearing black Lycra pants, a neon backless shirt and heels! I purposely whacked the ball into the street to make everyone laugh. I could remember the time we all got dressed up and danced all night at Tingles (a popular night club back in the day). There were countless hot summer nights at the legendary Cape Cod Coliseum (they had no a/c) sweating it out to J. Geils, Duke and the Drivers, Aerosmith and many more top-notch rock shows. We rented beach houses, cabins, hotel rooms and efficiencies. I remember renting a stunning place called the Maylene Townhouse back in the mid-eighties. 

PICTURE of a Picture Circa 1983 Cape Cod

And another time literally rolling out of bed to the beach! I can still hear my brother-in-law calling out “Who wants a lunar burger” as we all stayed up late to watch the lunar eclipse in August of 89. Some of the best times by the sea were with my first boyfriend. We made out on every beach after Bourne, and drank homemade strawberry margaritas as soon as we arrived. (I spiked them when Aunty and Uncle D weren’t looking). Sometimes I can still feel my first love pushing me on that swing that was outside our room at the Seashell Motel in Dennis Port. 

Cape Cod Morning

I remember being with my cousins in Yarmouth and running barefoot across the road to buy more champagne while tons of cars blaring summer music honked at me. We had just come home from a lobster feast and my cousin still talks about how I “ate every part of that thing like Daryl Hannah in Splash!”

 At one time or another I have dined at just about every Cape Cod restaurant past and present. There was the Cranberry Moose, Russell’s Landing, and Thompson’s Clam Bar. These days it’s Sesuit Harbor Café and Mattakesse Wharf. And with the former, I dare you to find a better setting for an extra fresh Lobster roll! It’s so wildly popular you will probably run into someone you know there. I always do.

Ming Meditating

Every June for the last ten years my Ming spent a week on the Cape at a cozy little place called Holly Tree. He discovered every pristine, private, and peaceful lake and pond the Cape has to offer. Since I could never get a full week off, I would always join him for part of the trip. We always got a corner table at Mattakesse Wharf to watch the sunset. I remember saying to him how good can this place be if they have to advertise in a tourist magazine. Well, once again, Ming was right. It turned out to be quintessential Cape and one of our favorite places to dine. See the sunset. We took this picture from our table.

                                                

And of course the biggest allure of the Cape is the beaches. So, this past extremely hot Friday, I strutted across the gorgeous beaches of Cape Cod keeping up old traditions with new friends….. We even stopped by a little cove where Ming and I would often practice our yoga and meditation. I was elated to be there as I deepen my connection to Ming and renew my ties to Cape Cod.

   On Cape Cod with My Mingman

On our way home as we drove away with the sand and dunes behind us playing the Cape Cod Song… “If you like making love at midnight on the dunes of the Cape…”

My love affair with Cape Cod continues. I am so grateful for all the memories, past, present, and future! And, I just can’t wait to go back.  I am still discovering new places. P.B Boulangerie (cape’s best croissants) and Bean stalk coffee (best coffee) here I come… both just happen to be in a little old town with big waves and sublime beaches….Wellfleet!

Taken by Ming at Holly Tree  

What’s your favorite summer song…. Your favorite place on the Cape?

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

Man, life sure is good (and ageless) on old Cape Cod

–Renee Gold