Nov. 12, 2020  Morning

Dave to Bill

Bill,

Life is sooo strange!   Thank you for your quick response to the question I raised in the Zoom Cuppa.

As you probably not aware, my wife and I have been “In Love” with Cape Cod for many, many years going back to the mid-seventies. In fact we bought a second home in Chatham in 1985. It was a tentative  part of our life plan to ultimately leave NJ for Chatham post retirement.

That never happened but, since the endtime of my work career, we go to Chatham in late May thru early October each year. We are as close to being “Wash-Ashores” as you can get it but we’re still in the wave-wash! 

I know the house in your photograph. I could be wrong but it was located on the Nauset Barrier beach off of Chatham. Given the storms that hit Chatham over the years most of those Beach Houses are gone. The National Park service, who has jurisdiction over many of them, has decided to remove the remaining inns on the thought that it is a lot safer and easier to remove them before they ultimately get washed into Pleasant Bay.

As a Beach Fisherman, I’ve seen many of them disappear, one by one over the years. The projections and my own observations conform that they are part of the deterioration of the barrier beach itself in the years to come.

Your picture also reminded me of how special the “light” sometimes behaves, photographically, on Cape Cod, particularly at sunrise and sunset and after the storms that are frequently buzzing by “The Elbow”.

While standing in my waders in four feet of Atlantic Ocean waves off Chatham at 4 or 5 AM, I’ve observed the sun creep over the East horizon and generate streaks of morning light blast through the residual post storm clouds as a prelude to humanity that God is about to say something profound to the Whole World!

Anyway, thank you for your talent and awareness to capture that scene for the rest of us ...     You “touch our hearts” through your talent!

Vince and I have spoken since the ZoomCuppa and have some follow-up thoughts on doing more “photographically” for  the Guys and to more actively participate in our get togethers.       

What are your thoughts on us starting  a “competition” consisting of some of our ’58 Guys submitting their entries, excluding Grands (they are ALL beautiful),  of pix of places, wildlife, pets, objects, etc. (non humans) that are or can be “judged” as really neat photos like yours of the Chatham Beach House..... Not Beston’s Outermost House in Eastham.

Anyway, thank you again and keep up your wonderful talent.

Best

D

Nov. 20, 2020 Afternoon

Dave to Bill

Bill 

I even amazed myself...

As soon as I looked at it, I knew it was the Coast Guard Station house and tower in Eastam MA. I would guess you took the shot from down on the beach looking west.

I used to fish there occasionally many years ago. I caught my once in a lifetime Striped Bass (46 pounds) just south of there from the beach back in 1987. 

You really don’t want to swim there these days since, over the years large numbers of Gray Seals, which are also very large (males @ 600 to 700 lbs and females in the 500 to 600 lbs) have pretty much taken over that part of the Atlantic facing Cape Cod beaches.

Also, since these deals are the favorite prey of Great White sharks, those beaches require a high level of awareness when you even go into the waves waist deep.    I don’t fish there anymore.

Best 

D

Sunday, November 15, 2020 3:12 PM

From Bill to Dave

Dave,

Here is a current favourite - it has layered meaning for me...

Nov. 12 2020 Evening

Dave to Bill

Now THAT’S a great picture!

You really are a great photographer!

Now, let’s see how we do trying to explain to her that we don’t use film anymore...

That would probably be followed up with the question...

“What is FILM????”

D

Nov. 12 2020 Later that Evening

Dave to Bill

I forgot.... And it’s in Colour!!!!

DAC smiling!

Jan. 25, 2021 Evening

Bill to Dave

Hi Dave:

Just found another from the Nauset Beach abandoned house series. 

Thought you might like to see it.

Thank you again for identifying its provenance.

May all be good and healthy,

Bill

Feb. 2, 2021       Bill to Vince & Dave

Hi Vince – Dave:

As you know - Dave and I were in an email reminiscence of his forever love of the Cape – and of the wonderful holidays Peggy and I enjoyed in the early 90s’. 

I sent him a couple of photos I had made of a ruined beach house – and he was able to identify the location.

Here are a couple of the photos made on Nauset Beach, July 1992.

 It was a wonderful sharing – as evidenced by our emails.Amazing how our footsteps crossed – unknown. 

Also – the other day Mike Joyce posted a photo of himself – with some question as to its date.I took a look in my files and was able to identify that it was made the time of his Ordination – as well as the circumstance. The value of Prep Library Science – the lessons in organization/filing has held me in good stead.  

 Great fun!  

(FYI - I have about 250,000 photos on file.)

Vince - thanks for your continued vision – and commitment to the Blog that enabled it to happen.

Bill

Dave to Bill and Vince     Feb 2, 2021 Evening

Bill

As I’m sure your Mom counseled, as did mine, “you always have to be on your best behavior!” 

Not only do I know where Chatham Seaside Cottages ARE in Chatham, but I know (knew) Ann and Wally (RIP) Wallace from when they bought their “island” property.

Betty Ann and I used to rent the Gazolla Cottage at the corner of Pine Drive and Ridgevale Rd.

Then in 1985, we bought our Chatham Home, just up Ridgevale Road, at 3 Crest Circle. We’ve been there ever since! 35 Years!

Our (my) original Grand Plan was to leave NJ for there upon retirement. GrandMa reminded me at the point after GKids arrived that we weren’t going anywhere.  Now we go in June and Stay through October. I travel there off-season frequently.

As a final thought memory for now, I attached a picture you may recognize... It is the bridge from the Ridgevale parking lot to the beach.   They used to dismantle it every year but now leave it there all year 

Best

D