05 July 2026
1182
R. Linda:
We decided to visit the outer Cape and take the bike ride through the Cape Cod National Seashore to the Cape Cod Light. It was a perfect, sunny day for a bike ride, with a nice breeze off the water, and everyone seemed delighted to do something as a family.
We spent most of the morning and early afternoon biking and sightseeing. We worked up hefty appetites and headed off for lunch. We went to a place called Captain's Choice in Truro, with tents outside where you could eat in the great outdoors while enjoying the sights and sounds of the Cape.
Because Tonya collects shells and sea glass (she makes garden faerie houses out of them), we went to Skaket Beach in Orleans. A staffer at the Captain's Choice suggested we go there. She said she has found a lot of shells, sea glass, and sand dollars. The kiddos would enjoy chasing the crabs, and the tidal pools were good for cooling off.
We went next door to the Salty Market for snacks and refreshments to take with us.
By the time we arrived at the beach, the kiddos were ready to expend some pent-up car energy, and off they tumbled out of the Saturn and ran. The three of us adults followed at a more leisurely pace, me hauling the goodies, ever on the lookout for gulls.
Tonya and Mam collected a variety of shells, and were having a great time. The kiddos finally found a few crabs, and it was the crabs chasing the kiddos, then the kiddos chasing the crabs. I warned them to take caution with those things, and for once, they listened to me, so no howling kiddo with a crab attached to his finger, or worse, a nose.
We were wrapping up our day when Tonya and Mam brought to me attention a bride and groom on the beach with a photographer. They were posing for pictures when two tourists joined us to watch. The wind was blowing the bride's veil, and I could see the photographer taking advantage of the setting and thinking about what wonderful photos the couple would have. I mentioned that out loud, and the two newcomers joined in, and we all became quite friendly. So friendly, they asked me if I'd mind taking a few iPhone pics of them standing on the rocks. Well, why not? So I happily agreed.
A perfect ending to a perfect day. We had fun, we just met two people to chat with, and all was right with the world of Gabe.
The couple, Dave and Margie, got all set. I was determined to get the perfect angle, but as I backed up without looking, I was ankle-deep in the tidal pool. The photo was magnificent. I, however, looked as though I'd just escaped a shipwreck.
Because just as I clicked off the snap, I took a cold plunge into some surprisingly strong currents. Heavy waves came out of nowhere! I found meself gasping for breath in the freezing water and struggling to get me feet back under me, all the while holding the iPhone over me head like it was the Crown Jewels. The waves were deceptive — I mean, who knew? Somehow, I managed to keep the phone bone dry. Me, on the other hand … I looked like I'd either gone down with the ship or been spat out by a whale!
We all laughed, including the wedding photographer, who shouted to me, too late, that the spot I was in wasn't a good spot for a photo. The kiddos have not let me hear the end of it. Every time we'd pass a rocky shoreline, they'd ask to get out so I could take a photo of them and a plunge for meself at the same time. Yeah, ha, ha, funny people.
Here is the sorry wet mess I had become, photo courtesy of Mam (who is always so helpful when you don't want her to be). I didn't know she was clicking away. I was checking to see if I got the photo and the phone worked, and yes, I did, and it did.
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| Embarrassing as hell, but I managed to keep the phone dry |
Gabe
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