Is It in You? A Letter to My Daughters About Cape Cod

I wrote this on Monday, August 14, three summers ago, and posted it on my blog. I’ve updated it here with photos and details.

Dear Figgy (on the cusp of 22) and Skipper (age 10),

Tell me, is it in you? The love of Cape Cod?

I have gone, on and off — but lately, most definitely on — since I was about four. My parents took their maiden voyage in 1951, a honeymoon road trip from New York City to Maine, New Hampshire and Cape Cod.

About 14 years later, they rented a cozy cottage in North Eastham, on Windmill Lane near Great Pond. I remember my Dad backing the white Ford Falcon out of our Dumont driveway in the Saturday morning dark; that’s how eager he and Mom were to return to that sandy hook. My mother packed most of our things in one big gray suitcase. How magical it was to see her zip it up in our everyday house and know it contained our vacation.

But you two — you have been going forever. Figgy, I was almost seven months pregnant when I carried you (my constant companion at work and in life) to the Cape with your Dad at the end of May 1995. We swam and floated in the sea at Nauset Light Beach, down on the right, where the coast curves. The water was warm. My belly was big; my maternity swimsuit navy with white polka dots. You were due August 14.

Skippy, if I remember correctly, you were about three and a half months old on your first trip, in June 2007. (Our fates were sealed, our prayers…