The drive to Wellfleet is as familiar to me as my oldest (circa 1997) pair of Doc Marten’s. I guess it makes sense. I’ve been making this trip for nearly half of my life.
I’m not sure exactly what prompted it but, on this most recent visit to Wellfleet, I was acutely aware of my senses and their responsiveness to all of the stimulants of the Cape.
The smells:
- Not much brine or salt to the fresh air in the low humidity.
- Occasional whiffs of skunk and/or mild sewage
- Generally, clean smells and sunscreen
The tastes:
- Excellent fresh fish in Orleans (Land Ho, Cape Cod Reuben) and Wellfleet (PJ’s, fried scallops).
- Margaritas made by me with a teensy bit of freshly made simple syrup, freshly squeezed oranges and limes and Hornitos.
- The saltiness that is the Cape – in seasoning, air, water and humor.
The feels:
- Sand. While I understand its importance to a beach situation, it truly is my nemesis. I’m working on it.
- Dried salt, a combination of evaporated ocean water and sweat, on my face.
- The soft, velvety water of a Wellfleet pond.
- An awareness of my quad muscles from cycling.
- The realization that I now find myself preferring to dismount and walk my rental bike up the occasional steep dune, rather than muscle my way through the challenge of a hill.
- Respectfully awed by how truly beautiful the biking is on the Cape.
- Huge drops of rain, soaked.
- Slightly hobbled by a healing pinkie toe.
The sounds:
- Bullfrogs croaking 24/7
- Deep rumbling thunder
- Cars swooshing by
- Toddler tantrum, extended version
The sights:
- Vivid bolts of lightning
- A lean and curious coyote
- Killer waves at Marconi
- An ever changing sky
It was a great start to Summer 2025. What’s on your summer calendar?
DelSo 