Hi, Eric, et al,
I want to thank you for taking time to share stories with me this past week. (I spoke for the most part with your associate; she might remember me -- we talked about Brian Greene and physics for a short period.)
We have lived with our granddaughters off and on for the past three years in Belmont, just west of Boston. Although we had visited Cape Cod once or twice before, we had never really explored it until this past Presidents' Day, when we spent the weekend meandering down the cape, finally ending up in Provincetown where we spent one night. We enjoyed it so much, we returned mid-week to spend another two days exploring the the cape from Chatam to Provincetown.
I'm not exactly sure what brought us to Chatham, but I think it was a blurb in Fodor's or a similar guide. Driving through Chatham we saw your bookstore. It is difficult for me to drive by independent bookstores without stopping, and yours, for some reason, looked particularly inviting.
It was a real joy talking with the two of you about our shared reading interests.
We bought a couple of books and some odds and ends, but I was particularly thrilled to find Henry David Thoreau's Cape Cod.Wow, it's a great book.
It does not take much time to get the feeling one has a working knowledge of the cape's geography. Highway 6 from Sagamore to Provincetown; highway 6A following the same route; and highway 28 on the south side provides an introduction to the cape. Having completed those three drives with frequent stops at the various beaches along the way, one starts to get a feeling for the diversity of Cape Cod.
When we stopped at your bookstore, I was not sure what I was looking for, probably nothing at all, just an opportunity to stop and relax for a few minutes. I always find it amazing how one stumbles upon a perfect book, and something drew me to Thoreau's Cape Cod. You told me that it was one of your best sellers, along with a similar book next to it. I forget that second book. But I am so glad I decided to get Thoreau's.
It is the perfect book for someone who is new to the Cape but familiar with the towns and the beaches. Perhaps best for someone who has spent at least four or five days traveling up and down the cape.
It is so much fun reading Thoreau's descriptions.
Of course, he didn't get to Martha's Vineyard. I think his favorite area was Wellfleet up to Provincetown. For the casual tourist with limited time, I think Martha's Vineyard is overrated. We didn't spend much time in Hyannis, but it appeared to be built up with malls that we could find anywhere in the states. Chatham seemed to be the perfect town for stopping, coffee, relaxing, walking. Of course, it goes without saying that anyone who loves reading needs to stop at your bookstore -- Yellow Umbrella Books. We were there in the "off-season" when not all restaurants were open; it was difficult to find a simple coffee shop, but we were so lucky to find the Chatham Coffee Company. Without question this is one of the best coffee shops anywhere. We had a great time speaking with one of the owners/managers. Maybe she was THE owner/manager. Matters not; we will be returning before the tourist season begins.
One of the nice things about the Cape is the fact that the towns all have their own charm; they are all very different and each has something to offer. Wellfleet has always interested me with its connection to Edmund Wilson. Wellfleet did not disappoint us but it's hard to describe and without some emotional attachment to the town, the casual tourist might not find it as interesting as we did. If one is interested, Jeffrey Meyer's biography of Edmund Wilson is superb, c. 1995, so you should be able to get it at discount/remaindered prices.
And, of course, it goes without saying that Provincetown is absolutely wonderful with the restaurants, the views, the restaurants, the shops. But for a bit of reality, a return to "sanity," I found Chatham perfect.
And when we return, we will definitely stop by your bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment