We just returned from our annual excursion to Cape Cod. We started this summer tradition the year Marty and I were married. But this year we rented a house in Wellfleet with our friends Julia and Ethan … and Flora and Asa in tow. Clearly absence makes the heart grow fonder because the two little ones quickly exchanged smiles and conversation, which continued on for the rest of the week.
Our first few days were rainy but on Sunday we still managed to walk down to Wellfleet Center (a sleepy, little town with a few shops, restaurants, and art galleries), Mayo Beach on the harbor side (complete with adjacent playground), and what became the often-frequented Mac’s Seafood where we dined on Oyster Po’ Boys, Fried Clams, Sushi, and fresh seafood take-out which we cooked at home.
Between rain drops we walked along the beach at Duck Harbor on Monday evening. The ocean breeze made Flora giddy, and due to the weather, we nearly had the beach to ourselves. There was no sunset to be seen but the walk was lovely just the same.
On Tuesday we braved the rain yet again and drove up to Provincetown. We walked along Commercial Street and browsed the many shops and restaurants. Unfortunately, everyone else had the same idea that day, so despite the weather, P-town was hopping. Flora and Asa scored some Cape Cod tees in one of the many souvenir shops.
The rain finally broke on Wednesday. We bee-lined to Mac’s for lunch and then Mayo Beach, where we set up camp to soak up the sun. Flora and Asa had fun splashing in the shallows, watching the hermit crabs, tasting the seaweed and sand, and playing with toys in the cabana. But we found out that naps were hard to come by at the beach.
On Thursday we drove to P-town again to visit Atlantic alum, Michael Kubit. After getting a tour of his condo, we headed to Herring Cove Beach, where the water was too cold to swim. So we hung out on the shore and ate lunch. In the evening, Flora stayed back with Julia, Ethan, and Asa while Marty and I went to Terra Luna Restaurant in Truro to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. Marty ordered Cod to see what the namesake was all about. We spotted John Waters of Hairspray fame at a nearby table — our only celebrity sighting of the week.
We went to Mayo Beach for the last time on Friday — sadly check-out was Saturday morning. The tide was so low that the beach was simply massive — cluttered with hermit crabs, oysters, clams, seaweed, one jelly fish, and a Timex watch. Flora and Asa didn’t mind squishing in the mud until the tide rolled back in. After the kids went to bed, I reigned supreme as the ping-pong champion of Daniels Drive.
We were hoping to stop by the Wellfleet Flea Market — a huge event at the still-operating Drive-in Theater — on the way home, but Flora was napping. But we did stop by The Stelter’s house in Plymouth for a visit. Three-year old Elke was a great help with feeding Flora her lunch and keeping her entertained.
We all arrived home well-rested and are settling back into our routine. And Flora was as happy to Sepia as Sepia was to see us.
View Flora’s “Cape Cod 2006″ photos
