Shifting sands

As regularly as it happens, I am always amazed at the changing contour of the beach, especially with the change of season. During autumn/winter storms, the surf pounds the beach, removing sand and eroding the dunes. A recent storm off the outer Cape caused this old peat road to become exposed on Nauset Beach. Carriage tracks clearly visible on the road surface, it has been incredibly preserved under the sand from generations ago. Upon closer examination, hoof prints can also be seen. Eventually the Atlantic will have its way with this road, breaking it into bits and pieces, and washing it all away.

This remnant of history, having once been inland, gives testimony to the ever changing dunes & shoreline. This makes me wonder just how many more generations will know the beach that I enjoy today, and certainly makes me appreciate the delicate condition of our beloved Cape Cod.

My brother left this comment, which I feel compelled to share: "Remember that mother nature always has its way . We are only here to see the beauty and destruction that it holds. Some times only for a moment or times that seem to last forever." Thank you, Joey...very well said!

I WILL be back...

Days & days have gone by, and I've still not posted...not that I haven't wanted to, but rather, I've just been so busy with home issues (including my dear beloved puppy who requires an incredible amount of time!), work and completing projects...so please stay tuned, I will post soon! But in the meanwhile...this is a photo of a stone (or something) which I found on the beach...when I picked it up I thought it was just a nice, flat stone...but upon further examination I noticed what appears to be some sort of etching or engraving...can you see it? What do you think?

Just me, God and mother nature ...

Quite fittingly, yesterday (the last of summer and my last full day on the Cape) I completed my seashore walk, leaving from High Head in Truro and ending at Race Point in Provincetown - an almost 6 mile hike. The day could not have been more beautiful ... 7o degrees and clear, sunny skies with a light seabreeze. This last stretch of beach was the most desolate, but also the most beautiful! Occasionally I walked off the beach into the dunes to see what I knew would be a breathtaking view - for which these photos hardly do justice.

Having concluded my walk, I want to thank loved ones who helped and supported me, especially my brother John, my dear friend Nancy and my husband Arthur.

A sight to behold ...

I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these seals this morning on a sandbar at Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro ... not only did a catch a view of them, but I could also hear their "groaning" as the tide was rising and disturbing their sandy oasis...

Walking "The Great Beach"

One of my goals for this year (and probably next) is to walk the beach of the Cape Cod National Seashore, from Nauset in Orleans to Race Point Lighthouse in P-town. Bit by bit, as time & tide have allowed, I have walked from Orleans well into Truro this summer. As I walk, not only do I enjoy the beauty & splendor of what Thoreau called "The Great Beach," but I also like to gather bits of beach treasure - glass, shells, stones, etc. (More about treasure I have found in a later post.)
Today's discovery took me a bit by surprise, though it was not totally unexpected. As I was walking in Truro, I encountered a nude beach. (I knew it was out there, I just didn't know exactly where!) It is common practice to exchange greetings with others on the beach, especially in secluded areas where walkers are few, and today's experience of chatting with people who had no clothes on was a little different!
All that aside, this stretch of beach, between Ballston & Longnook, was one of the most beautiful & pristine I have had the pleasure of walking.