We spent the last full day of our trip doing all kinds of Cape Cod-ey things with our friends. Unfortunately, I woke up at 5 am and after a while of trying to fall back to sleep got up and read some news and did a few quiet things. Eventually I got tired again and went back to bed until 9 or 9:30. We grabbed a quick breakfast at our friends’ house and then headed out.
Our first stop was Cuffy’s souvenir store. I had mentioned that I wanted to get a gift to take home to Madeline, and Wendy Sue said Cuffy’s was the place to do that. It was a really nice store. If you wanted anything that said Cape Cod on it—clothing, a magnet, glassware, etc.— they had it. We bought Madeline a little stuffed crab, Ellie got a shirt, and I got some sweatpants.
Next, we drove to downtown Chatham for some shopping on Main Street. It’s quite a thing there, and parking alone was an adventure, kind of like the old days of trying to find a parking spot at the mall between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We walked several blocks up and back before we needed to move on to the next activity. My favorite store there was one filled with only rubber ducks. So many rubber ducks! I got Madeline a turtle duck and a unicorn duck. I also got myself a pair of earrings at a different store on Main Street, because I always like to take a piece of jewelry home from a vacation as a souvenir. These were little compasses, which I like because they also indicate travel.
Our next destination was a pier where the fishermen bring their catch to sell it. The seals know this, and they know that sometimes the bad parts of the fish get thrown into the water. And no part of the fish is a bad part to a seal! So we had fun watching the seals swim around for a bit.
We left the pier and drove to a different seafood store, which was attached to a restaurant. We had a really tasty lunch. I ordered a poke bowl with rare tuna that was outstanding, and Ellie had a Caesar salad with huge, fresh shrimp on top. When we finished we got some raw fish to take back to the house for dinner.
Back at the house we all changed into swimsuits and got ready to go to the beach. This time we went to one further from our friends’ house. It was really busy when we arrived, but people were leaving at a rapid pace. We found a spot and put down our belongings, then headed out into the ocean to swim. The shelf at that beach is super long, so we were able to walk out a long way and only be in water up to about our waist. I didn’t love the entry to the water, because there were many feet of big painful rocks we had to pass over to get to the smoother surface. We played in the waves for a while, then I was ready to go back to the beach and read. Eventually we were all sitting on the beach enjoying the weather. The girls were relaxing in the sun. I nearly finished my book. At some point I got colds, because the sun was going down, and soon after that we left the beach.
Back at the house we showered and had dinner of bluefish and salmon we’d bought at the market earlier. It was so tasty! After dinner the moms and girls went to a nearby bar because Emily’s boyfriend’s band was playing. We got there about half an hour before show time, had some appetizers and drinks, and really enjoyed the show. We left after the first set because Ellie and I had to be up on the early side to pack and catch a bus to the airport in Boston.
Sunday was our day to travel home. We got up and started packing, and somehow my wedding ring had disappeared! I remembered putting it on the dresser, with my earrings, the night before, but when I was packing only the earrings were there. We looked and looked, and eventually Joy, Wendy Sue, and Karl also looked. Nothing. Eventually I gave up, and they said they’d keep looking after we left. Wendy Sue and Emily drove us to a nearby park and ride location, and we took a bus called the Plymouth & Brockton that would take us directly to the airport.
[Post-trip note: as I write this, seven weeks later, the ring was found! Eight days ago I went to the eye doctor, and when I put my glasses (which I don’t wear very much, because I have contacts) back in their case, the ring popped out. I must have decided the ring wasn’t safe on the dresser and put it in the case, but I have no recollection of doing so. I’m very happy to have it back on my finger!]
The bus ride to the airport was long. Traffic was heavy, and every time I looked at the map our arrival time was later. Still, we got to the airport in plenty of time. The only exciting thing that happened on the trip home was that while we were at the airport our home security system alarmed. Andrew and Madeline had taken a trip to Cedar Point starting Friday, and Georgia the dog had been boarding with our trainer. They are lovely and pick her up and return her for us, and we had forgotten to turn off the alarm for their entry. It is easy enough to turn it off from my phone, so I got it quickly. Still, I’m sure it induces anxiety for them when that happens.
Ellie and I were exhausted when we returned home, but it was a good trip. It was a relief, after not being able to tour colleges for over a year due to COVID, to get to experience some tours. For me, it was also nice to spend time with Ellie. Seventeen-year-olds have a lot to do, and when they’re home they’re not clamoring to bake or play games or generally spend time with their parents. This trip, it was just her and me most of the time. We had some good conversations and built a shared experience that we’ll always remember.
Travel is great.