Until I can get the media file load issue straightened out, I’ll have to link the few that I can from my Insta account for now. Anyways, here are the osprey family that I mentioned earlier. This particular nest was settled in a pole like structure right in the harbor, These birds are actually pretty plentiful down here. They are part of the hawk/eagle family of birds. These are youngsters in the nest awaiting their parents, although they look like they’re ready to strike out on the own if you ask me.
After the boat ride out to Monomoy to see the seals (although nothing could compare to the year we saw them all beached up on the sandbars), we had a nice lunch at a place next door, Brax, and then hit some little libraries around Chatham. Actually scored a bunch of possibly good ones. They usually do have good reading down these parts.
I changed the look of the site a little bit – I think I like this design tweak better than what I had before, but I may change it again. And then, I took a short nap.
Today was a great day to be out on the water! We decided to go on a seal cruise and maybe get some seal shots. I got some great shots of a osprey nest, which I’ll upload once the site stops being cranky. I installed an update that maybe I shouldn’t have and is causing me not to upload files directly at the present time.
What these shots don’t show you is all the bug bites I had to endure to get them – even with protection. I had to abort the mission after getting these! For some reason, the bugs are very plentiful and active right now.
So far the day started out with waking up and getting over to the clubhouse for donuts and coffee. Then it was just a matter of what to do today. Decided to take a jaunt out to West Dennis to get in some beach time. Along they way we stopped and two little libraries, got some books and dropped some off. Finally we arrived at the beach, set up the umbrella and our chairs, LD had a little swim, and I got a little sun – soaking up the sea breezes along the coastline.
One the other side of the beach is an inlet area where some sea birds like to congregate. LD spotted some piping plovers and sandpipers, along with some least terns – most of these birds are endangered and federally protected as they like to nest in these areas. We noticed the sandpipers in particular doing this strange behavior – walking side by side in circles and in unison – almost like a dance, pretty cool to watch actually. Did not appear to be mating behavior, perhaps just a way that they search for food? Eventually they did split up, but the synchronization was cool.
Piping Plovers flitting about!
Sandpipers walking in synchronization
Stopped along the way back for an afternoon break at a Dunkins down here – I discovered it was by far the worst dunkin experience I’d ever had. Mostly due to the dude taking the orders – could he get anything right? Also, I didn’t want extra ice in my hot coffee, I wanted extra ice in the ice tea that LD wanted that you neglected to input at all. Also, the wait time was ridiculous – I was steaming by the time I got out of there, which was way too long, but I calmed myself down – after all, it’s not worth getting fired up about.
Then it was time for a late afternoon dip in the outside pool. Did that for about 1/2 hour – best time to go is around supper time between 6 and 7 pm as most people and annoying kids are eating. When they came back though was signal to us it was time to get out. Children are annoying. Part 2 coming as the next sunset time arrives – where will we head out to tonight? Stay tuned!
Finally on the Cape for a week to start a week of summer vacation – it’s been a long time in coming, believe me. The day started off with tying up some work items, taking LD to a chiro appointment, and doing some other quick errands, but then we were off!
The first stop which we like to do is grab lunch in Sandwich at a place called Fisherman’s View – which sits right along the Cape Cod Canal.
The Sagamore Bridge in the distance along the Cape Cod Canal.
I had the beer batted cod sandwich which was very good and LD had a lobster knuckle sandwich which looked and tasted amazing. I give that place two thumbs up – food’s great and has some spectacular views. Like I said, it sits along the canal and abuts the Sandwich Marina and park, which the town did a wonderful job of making look pretty sweet. Worth a visit if you’re ever down that way – it’s also not far from the Dan’l Webster, so if you’re familiar with that part of town you’re almost there.
After a bit more driving we arrived at out destination for the week. It’s in the same complex that we go to almost every year, but this time around we had to choose a different unit due to a friend wanting the use the main unit (long story). We’ve never been over on this side of the complex, but I find that I actually like it – it’s more secluded and it’s actually very cute! So, pleasantly surprised on that note. It also seems a little bigger but that could just be the way it’s laid out.
We decided to hit the grocery store up to get some food, but honestly, mostly snacks for the week. Once that was done we decided to catch some sunset down over by Paine’s Creek – a very scenic spot if you ask me – I got some great shots from there last year as well. However, it was very buggy so I didn’t stay out there too too long. I think I got some good shots though considering. Also, there was a looming cloud blocking the sun a bit toward the end so that made ending a little early a simple decision. However, we weren’t totally done yet – we headed over to Nauset Beach (on the ocean side) as night was approaching to listen to some crashing waves in the darkness. We wrapped it up with a trip to the Chocolate Sparrow and downed some delicious hot chocolates. All in all, a great day for day number one!
I really like how this pic turned out – a classic view of Downtown Boston looking toward the theater district.
Currently Reading: Future Crimes: Everything Is Connected, Everyone Is Vulnerable, and What We Can Do About It – another pick from a Little Library. If you’re looking for a good one, I found this book, and also one on New England Inns (although not updated since 1985) in the one located at Kidder Avenue – I noticed a lot of good stuff in there but could only carry these two on my bike home. On a totally unrelated note, I want to catch the latest HBO documentary on Michelle Carter, the chick who kept texting her boyfriend to commit suicide.
Sailing around Gloucester Harbor aboard the Ardelle
Gloucester is one of our favorite places to visit. What do I like about it? I like the nautical history, and the beaches and rocky coves. There’s some great restaurants too. I like the mixture of the old with the new, the working class with the upscale. A place that can contain the opulence of Beauport and also the destitution of Dogtown. I find it to be a place of dichotomies.
Just before meeting friends for a early dinner in Plymouth I walked around the center and snapped a few shots. Beautiful warm day to be down by the water!
Last night, LD decided it might be nice to see the fireworks show happening over Gillette Stadium (where the Patriots play) in honor of July 4th. We’d gone before and it’s usually a pretty good time and it was a beautiful night so we went. At first I was apprehensive figuring the crowd might be annoying but I’m glad I relented because it really wasn’t bad at all.
I noticed this morning that the first “fire lily” finally opened, after budding for about a week. We planted these, oh it must have been, about 3 or more years ago. I don’t think when we first planted them what they would exactly turn out to be, but to say we are pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. Surrounded by the pale blue hydrangeas as a background also provides a nice touch, although to be honest, that was purely coincidence. Now I’m just waiting for the Star Gazer lilies to bloom out back.
We are finding out that redecorating is a lot of freaking work. I’m leaving most of that to the Ladydoc. Figuring out the rug and placement (it was a sight watching me carry a 10′ rolled up rug throughout the Home Depot I am sure, like a fireman carrying a hose to the fire), and figuring out what artworks and photos to hang. It’s currently sitting rolled up in the sitting room until we can get the rug pad (who knew we needed that?) I’m learning that there’s actually I don’t know about basic home decorating. I suppose it’s just a topic that I never really explored before, or maybe even cared about.
Just finished mowing the lawn (front and back) in between bouts of rainfall (it’s the kind of day that really annoys me, either rain or stay sunny, not this off and on bullcrap). Also dug out the edger and went to town with that too. Now I’m a sweaty mess so I’ll be headed for the shower soon. Just sitting here I can feel the beads of sweat trickle down my head and sides. I was hoping to maybe fire up the grill this afternoon but the skies are getting darker now so I may need to put that on hold until another day. In the meantime I finished Invisible Man (to be honest, I found it to be bit outside my understanding) but am looking forward to starting my next read, The Collected Schizophrenias. We actually know a woman who’s son appears to have this condition so it might be educational for me to learn about it a bit more.
Today’s also the 2nd year anniversary of Angel’s passing (a cat that was really special to us). I’ve written about her before but with the redesign of the site and starting over I’ll have to dig it up and repost and update it at another time. I want to mention that she and her brother are always and will always be in our hearts.
What is this little guy doing in the Raised Box!?
Later in the afternoon, after discovering this little guy in one of the raised boxes, we set about to make dinner for tonight. Earlier I had done up a tofu with pepper, zucchini and spinach dish for LDs lunches, but for tonight’s dinner it was some scallops and salmon done over with some Romano cheese, so as to be slightly cassarole-ish, and then with a side of sauteed broccoli. Not bad.
Finally went ahead and got our plans ready for a summer getaway in a couple weeks. Planning and hoping to see more of the scenes like above when we boated out around Chatham and caught sight of seals just hanging around. Of course, nowadays, one must be wary of the sharks. Hoping to get more of the spectacular sunset shots that I’ve taken as well.
Truth is, it’s time for a getaway. Been jonesin for one, and to be honest, haven’t really taken much time off since last summer, so it’ll be nice to get in a change of scenery. In need of a break, the proposal finally went out yesterday so that’s a big weight off the shoulders, although there is a bit of anxiety in waiting to see if they go for it. Hopefully they will, it would just make everything easier for me. Time will tell! Also, the Ladydoc definitely needs some time away, dealing with all the stuff she has to deal with. In some ways, this first vacation couldn’t come at a better time.
In the meantime, we are finishing up getting the master bedroom back to normal after the renovation. It looks pretty sweet but it still needs an area rug (going for something contemporary and modern), we need to rehang up some of the artwork, looking at some new shades, etc. It’s getting there!
It may be me, but it seems like this summer there sure is a lot of rabbits running around. In fact, in our driveway in Somerville I see a baby bunny occasionally hopping around (so cute), which to me is somewhat amazing. Growing up we’d never see wildlife like that but now they are everywhere and appear to be thriving! I do remember having frogs and even a turtle once, although I’m also unsure of where those came from. You wouldn’t think they’d be able to survive in a concrete jungle but they do.
The wild bunnies have become a part of our lives. From thinking of them as being sent by loved ones from above to watch over us, to giving them names like “StreetWalker Bunny” for ones that hang along the street and “X Street Bunny” where X is the name of the street that they were seen at, to even changing the lyrics while singing the song Beach Baby from the group First Class (1974) in the jukebox to Beach Bunny. In their own way, they make sharing our lives with them a little richer. All I ask is that they stay out of the lettuce box, but the truth is, I don’t even mind that.
Just a sampling of some of the flowers growing around the house 🙂 Click on one if you want to see any of them a bit larger. Like I said, just a sampling!
We plan on having a nice outing this afternoon to celebrate some friends next stage in their careers and life. More info later, but I will say LD has gone all out on this one with things she’s created, can’t wait to see the reactions of the finished products….It’s gonna be amaze-balls!
