My stay at a friend’s Yarmouth Port house on Cape Cod was a quiet respite. I could imagine the locals, permit required, carrying their beach toys and chairs to Dennis Pond in warmer days. Not a time for swimming in October, I took a walk to the pond and beyond most mornings, drove out for lunch and an afternoon wander, and met my kids for dinner at night, in for one of their culinary creations or out for seafood. I heard wild turkeys gobbling in the yard one morning, rooting around in the fallen leaves.
I often look for something to read that reflects the area or culture that I’m visiting. (Reading on the road) In the crammed-to-the-rafters bookstore on the corner, I found a treasure, The Outermost House, written in 1928, a local classic. The author, Henry Beston, spent a year solo in a house perched on the dunes, just south of the Nauset Light (National Seashore). The little house was declared a National Literary Landmark in 1964; a winter storm destroyed it in 1978. Beston’s musings on how humans live with nature, and his lyrical descriptions of the subtle changes in sea and sand, wildlife and weather, sounds and smells, heightened my observations during beach wanderings.
Sunset at low tide along Chapin Beach was magical! We checked the tide calendar predictions to catch the right moment. The low tide on Cape Cod Bay pulls the water out farther than one can see. A group of riders trotted out to soak in the view.
As we turned from the beach once the sun had set, the full moon, the celestial tide shaper, lit the dunescape.
Cape Cod: Yarmouth and Hyannis, Chatham, National Seashore, Provincetown, Yarmouth, Chapin sunset, Cape Cod Canal, Sandwich, Nor’easter, Falmouth, Woods Hole
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Love the photos especially the one of the tree shadows. Cape Cod sure is pretty.
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Thanks so much! I did love the patterns that the shadows made. Have a great day.
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Hi. I read Outermost a couple of years ago. Like you say, it’s great. It’s deserving of its “classic” status.
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Yes, so beautifully written. It was a good read while I was in his world.
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Magnificent sunset photos, Ruth. Sounds like you had a nicely chilled time, too.
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Thank you! The first few weeks were lovely, then the storm hit.
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I love the photo of the little cemetery gate with the tree shadow sprawled in front of it. The book you chose sounds like a perfect literary companion for your relaxed stay. Spending a year somewhere quiet and beautiful, just writing and observing the changing nature, isn’t it the best thing one could hope for?
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The shadow pattern in front of the cemetery spoke to me too. Thanks, Leighton! Yes, it would be quite a luxury to spend a year as he did.
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Wow Ruth, those sunset photo’s are just spectacular!
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I had been told to go there and it must be low tide, but it was more amazing than I imagined! Thanks so much.
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The sunsets are glorious but I love the moonscape too. It looks like the prettiest place.
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I thought we were done with the spectacular beauty of the evening, then gasped when I turned and saw that moonlit scene. It’s one of my favorites, subtle colors, wild dunes.
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Cape Cod is truly one of the most beautiful corners of the US! That sunset (or rather, sunsets) looks breathtaking, and to take in that cool, New England glow would be the magical way to end a tranquil day by the waters. 🙂
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Thanks for your visit, Rebecca. It was a great place to explore and enjoy. I’m amazed it took me so long to get there.
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It sounds like such a sweet time. Your photos are lovely, and I especially enjoyed seeing the sun go down.
Alison
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That it was. I appreciate your comments, Alison.
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The Outermost House was a great find for your trip. I really love the sunset photos and the moon over the dunes.
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Thank you! The moonscape was a surprise and has such subtle colors, it took my breath away.
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The horseback riders photo first seemed like an optical illusion image. The photos are lovely, as always.
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Thank you, Jay. I was thinking we could have walked out there, but it was a bit chilly and the view from the beach was so wonderful.
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I love all your photos but especially the sunset ones and in particular the second and the last ones in your set – the light is just perfect in those 😀 Outermost sounds like the perfect read for your stay too, a great find!
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Thanks so much, Sarah! The sunset was magical – I took a gazillion photos and it was hard to weed them down. The book pointed out many things I would not have noticed otherwise, besides being an enjoyable read.
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A beautiful set of photos, especially the sunset/moonrise series.
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Thanks so much! It was a captivating evening, and the moonscape was an unexpected surprise.
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Lovely captures, especially of the sunset. It’s nice to see the quieter side of Cape Cod.
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Thanks so much! I haven’t been there in summer. I’m sure it’s quite a bit different with the vacationing crowds.
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Beautiful pictures!
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Thank you, Jyothi!
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Makes me long for Cape Cod!
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I am already longing to return!
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The sunset photos are absolutely spectacular, what a beautiful place to sit and contemplate life 🙂
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A setting like this does take you out of your little world and brings contemplation. Thank you, Hannah!
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I wonder where the horses came from? Perhaps they trailered down from the mainland, because it’s hard to picture a horse ranch on Cape Cod. Also, in the early picture of Dennis Pond, the giant rock almost looks like a hippo lazing in the shallow water. Beautiful photos! Cape Cod sure has a lot of “looks”.
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Thanks, Dave. I googled it and there are 18 horse stables on the cape, spread out across the map!
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Sounds like a relaxing time!
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It was great to get away for a few weeks to someplace interesting. Definitely recharged my energy!
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