esrosedotblog

HEAVEN

Of all the places we left when we came west, the hardest to let go of has been Provincetown, MA.

This appreciation by Andrew Sullivan brings a slight tear to the eye.

Always

The magic of the Cape tip is hard to convey but Sullivan manages to do so every summer.

It is certainly one of the the nicest place that I have ever been.

My first visit was about 1963 or 4. It was the beginning of the years of 'alternative cultures' and Provincetown was doing its part.

For a number of years a close friend lived there and so I went frequently.

For five years, John and I rented an on the beach cottage for the summer. A long summer. April through October. As soon as we could stand to live without heat and until we were driven out by the winter wind.

Our last phase was frequent vacations on the East End.

It was sure hard to give up.

We even considered living there.

But, the winters are terrible.

And now, it is overpriced and overbuilt.

Sullivan still gets the place as it was because he is close to the beach in a section that has not been hit with the condo conversion craze.

He also bought early before the bubble.

I can't have it all.

The desert has much of the same allure.

When I bike in the morning and look at the mountains (just over there) I feel much the same rush as I used to feel in Provincetown.

And I don't have to run in October, then stay away until April.

We still feel cold though. Our thermostats got readjusted.

Labels: nostalgia