Herring Cove Beach
Some forego this beach in Provincetown because the trip requires effort.
CAPTION: This is the fence that becomes a bike rack on Route 6. The gap in the fence is the beginning of the 15-minute walking path to the beach.
It's a 5-minute bike ride followed by a minimum 15-minute walk through sandy terrain to get to the beach. Then, depending on the tidal cycle, one might traverse ankle, knee or even once this summer, hip-deep water. Some tourists prefer the in-town convenience of the Boatslip pool with deck chairs, towels and waiter service. Nothing wrong with that, especially when one is only in Provincetown for a week and time is limited.
CAPTION: Herring Cove Beach with the ocean at right and the dune on the left which one traverses to journey eastward back to Provincetown.
Being here all summer though, I have grown to love the walk, the effort, the exercise and the sheer beauty of the beach. Once the bike is parked and the walk commences, there is little evidence of civilization besides other tourists on this federally protected beach area: no signs, trash cans, paved walkways or lifeguard stands. It's a totally natural vista.
CAPTION: A half moon is barely visible in this sunset shot of the dune path from the backwater area toward the beach, looking west. There are dozens of these narrow paths over the dunes.
A single row of dunes separates the ocean from the sandy backwater area. The backwater area is beautiful. Arriving at the beach proper, it has become routine for me to take a long walk regardless of the depth or even lack of backwater. When the tide brings in backwater, waist deep at times, it is fun to swim and usually warmer than the ocean water. Among my favorite soundtracks when walking are Europe '72 and For the Roses.
CAPTION: Although not strictly showing the path the beach, this shot was taken nearby and shows the type of terrain between the road and the beach in the distance.
For one stretch in early August, I was at the beach 10 days in a row. The walk has become a meditative and reflective joy, not a chore. It feels less like escape and more like immersion. I almost never take my cell phone with me. I remind myself to stop and look at the view at arbitrary points enroute to and from the beach. When a poignant song shuffles on to my iPod, I confess to getting misty-eyed in the wilderness. My tan is so deep that sunbathing has become irrelevant. A partly cloudy day is just as fulfilling as a bright one. It is just a time to be.
CAPTION: This is the backwater when the tide is in. The beach is out of frame to the left over the previously shown dunes and the unmarked path to the bike rack is ahead on the right.
CAPTION: This is the fence that becomes a bike rack on Route 6. The gap in the fence is the beginning of the 15-minute walking path to the beach.
It's a 5-minute bike ride followed by a minimum 15-minute walk through sandy terrain to get to the beach. Then, depending on the tidal cycle, one might traverse ankle, knee or even once this summer, hip-deep water. Some tourists prefer the in-town convenience of the Boatslip pool with deck chairs, towels and waiter service. Nothing wrong with that, especially when one is only in Provincetown for a week and time is limited.
CAPTION: Herring Cove Beach with the ocean at right and the dune on the left which one traverses to journey eastward back to Provincetown.
Being here all summer though, I have grown to love the walk, the effort, the exercise and the sheer beauty of the beach. Once the bike is parked and the walk commences, there is little evidence of civilization besides other tourists on this federally protected beach area: no signs, trash cans, paved walkways or lifeguard stands. It's a totally natural vista.
CAPTION: A half moon is barely visible in this sunset shot of the dune path from the backwater area toward the beach, looking west. There are dozens of these narrow paths over the dunes.
A single row of dunes separates the ocean from the sandy backwater area. The backwater area is beautiful. Arriving at the beach proper, it has become routine for me to take a long walk regardless of the depth or even lack of backwater. When the tide brings in backwater, waist deep at times, it is fun to swim and usually warmer than the ocean water. Among my favorite soundtracks when walking are Europe '72 and For the Roses.
CAPTION: Although not strictly showing the path the beach, this shot was taken nearby and shows the type of terrain between the road and the beach in the distance.
For one stretch in early August, I was at the beach 10 days in a row. The walk has become a meditative and reflective joy, not a chore. It feels less like escape and more like immersion. I almost never take my cell phone with me. I remind myself to stop and look at the view at arbitrary points enroute to and from the beach. When a poignant song shuffles on to my iPod, I confess to getting misty-eyed in the wilderness. My tan is so deep that sunbathing has become irrelevant. A partly cloudy day is just as fulfilling as a bright one. It is just a time to be.
CAPTION: This is the backwater when the tide is in. The beach is out of frame to the left over the previously shown dunes and the unmarked path to the bike rack is ahead on the right.
I look out on peaceful lands
With no war nearby,
An ocean of shakin' hands
That grab at the sky.
(Neil Young, "Borrowed Tune")
With no war nearby,
An ocean of shakin' hands
That grab at the sky.
(Neil Young, "Borrowed Tune")
posted by Bob at 3:14 AM
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