"But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose I am proceeding solely in quest of them." ~ Christopher Columbus

It was only a few years ago that we discovered The Atlantic Spice Company on Cape Cod.  We had driven past it for a few years before we even knew that it was there.  Once we knew, it has become a pilgrimage (or two) every Cape trip.  I always seem to find a reason to go back - I'm sure that there is something that I really need that I missed on my previous trip!  As you read the excerpt below from their website, you will see that we are not alone!

"The Atlantic Spice Company retail store, since opening in 1994, has become a destination for summer visitors to the Outer Cape, as well as an opportunity for our year-round customers to engage in some retail therapy during the long, cold Cape Cod winter."

As we pull into the parking lot of this unassuming metal structure, my heart begins to beat a little faster!  I know that within these walls, I will find every unique spice and tea that I could want, and at unbelievably reasonable prices. 

Barrels full!

Mulling Spices - just in time ~

Pictured below are just three of the eight different kinds of salt that they carry - I love the idea of using Hawaiian salt!

Then we come to the endless bins of loose tea!

The Jasmine is my favorite!

Finally there are the aisles upon aisles of cookbooks and kitchen paraphernalia - for which I have a particular weakness.

A trip to Atlantic Spice is the perfect ending to a trip to the Cape!

Squatter - "Someone who lives in a place without permission and without paying the owner."

Yup - I told Bruce that I was going to become a squatter.  When the time came to pull away from our Cape Cod rental - I did not want to leave - I mean really and truly did not want to leave.  We had a week of mostly wonderful weather, wonderful food, wonderful excursions, and a wonderful spot where we stayed.  I took so many pictures, and short of having a mile long post of photos, I have decided to try something a little bit different this time.  I have created three different slideshows to try to capture some of what we did and saw during our stay on the Cape.  If you are reading this via e-mail, please click here so that you can go directly to my site.  I think that it will be easier to view that way.

For all of the slideshows, rather than clicking on the "play" arrow, I would suggest clicking on the word "Tube" in the lower right.  This will allow you to watch it right on You Tube, and to enlarge it using the arrows in the bottom right if you wish.  When it has finished you can then just X out to return to the post.  There is some sound-effect accompaniment for your listening pleasure if you care to turn up your volume!

This first set of photos is of where we stayed, right on Pamet Marsh.  As you look at the second slide, we are in the smaller house on the left.  The views that we woke up to every morning were so beautiful and peaceful. The landscape changed in magnificent ways as the sun and clouds passed overhead and the tide danced its magical dance.  I wish that I could have captured it perfectly for you.

This next set is from Ballston Beach.  If some of the shots look familiar, it is because my blog banner at the top is a shot I took of Ballston Beach several years ago.  Interestingly, seals did not appear in the waters off Ballston until about five or six years ago - but now we see them every time we are there.  As water temperatures have risen, the seal population has increased, and as a result, great whites have been spotted in several areas off of the Cape where they have not been seen before. This has occured most notably in Chatham, where the local beach was closed on a couple of occasions this summer due to great white sightings.

Ballston Beach is so beautiful- I had to force myself to put the camera down and just enjoy the moment.

This final set of slides is of Chatham Harbor.  Last year I got just fabulous shots of the seals near the Chatham Fish Pier.  This year they were not nearly as cooperative - but it was great fun to watch them.

If you can stand just one more Cape Cod post, on Saturday I will introduce you to The Atlantic Spice Company, itself worth a trip to the Cape!

"We see thee still that cheek of rose, Those lips with dewy fragrance wet, That forehead in serene repose, Those soul lit eyes, we see them yet.'" From the headstone of Apphia Atwood in Duck Creek Cemetery, Wellfleet, Massacusetts

When we vacationed on the Cape as a large entourage, we always took time to walk though the Duck Creek Cemetery in Wellfleet,  This beautiful graveyard is home to graves dating back to well before the Revolutionary War.  The headstones from that particular period of time are almost impossible to read, having sat in place for nearly 300 years.  The history that lies there, and the history that has passed before them!  It is a wonderful and fascinating piece of land to wander through.

Bruce and I spent part of an afternoon revisiting the Duck Creek Cemetery.  Below are some photos of that visit and a bit of background information on a particular group of children interred there.  

The three headstones pictured below are of the Atwood children.  A fourth headstone lies on the ground nearby.

All four of them died in 1849.  I did a little internet sleuthing to see if I could discover what may have been going on here in 1849, particularly in August, when three of them died within two weeks of one-another.  I am always amazed at what can actually be found with a bit of digging - even what was actually written on their headstones.  I wish that I could have learned more, but what I did find was that the cause of death was only listed for one - and I couldn't determine which one - dysentery. While it stands to reason that this would also be the cause for the other three,  I read that there was also a cholera outbreak in North America in 1849. What harsh times, and to lose four children in such a short period of time - what their parents' grief must have been.

"Apphia C. Atwood, daughter of Lewis & Apphia Atwood, died Feb. 12, 1849, aged 2 yrs. 9 mos.
'We see thee still that cheek of rose
Those lips with dewy fragrance wet
That forehead in serene repose
Those soul lit eyes, we see them yet.' "

"Samuel R. son of Lewis & Appia Atwood, Aug. 4, 1849, aged 5 years.
'Said Jesus, now suffer little children to come
I'll bless and protect them and take them safe home
Then grief stricken parent, s-- up with faith's eye
Your sweet cherub, Sam'l, now dwells in the sky' "

"Lewis W., son of Lewis & Appia Atwood, died Aug. 11, 1849, aged 6 years & 6 months.
'Since Sam has fled to the Region of Light
You, sweet little Lewis, must go from our sight
In life so ----, in death they can't part
Although so afflictive to a fond parent's heart.' "

"Rachel, daughter of Lewis & Appia Atwood, died Aug. 15, 1849, aged 10 months.
'Now Sam'l and Lewis have gone up on high
One more little cherub, sweet baby too must die
In one their bodies were here laid away
To rest with their spirits at the great coming day' "

The Atwoods had  four other children.  Interestingly, another was named Apphia, after the mother - whose name is spelled Appia and Apphia in different locations.  

• Hannah Atwood was born in 1833, with no date of death listed
• William Atwood was born in 1835 and died in 1879
• Maria Atwodd was born in 1838, with no date of death listed
• Apphia Atwood (the second child named after her mother) was born in 1851 and died in  1878

A few other photos in closing ~ 

I will return here on Wednesday with some more photos and tales of our travels!

“If you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster; there is a shock of freshness to it and intimations of the ages of man, some piercing intuition of the sea and all its weeds and breezes. They shiver you for a split second.” ~ Eleanor Clark

So indeed, we made it to the Wellfleet Oyster Fest. !!!! 

As we got closer to Wellfleet, and saw the miles of traffic, we had the sudden feeling of 

deja vu - are we back at the Apple Festival?

~And the wall to wall crowds ~

~What we feared would be threatening weather ~

~Turned into glorious sunshine ~

~Shucking oysters ~ 

~ And clams ~

~And more oysters~

When it comes to seafood, I am a brave soul! 

The taste of everything that is "ocean".

Bloody Mary's, Lobster Bruchetta, Raw Oysters ~ Heaven!

Carving shore birds ~ If you have ever been in my home, you know I have a thing for shore birds!

Oyster Shucking Contest

Determination!

And victory! 

See you back here on Saturday with more pictures from my favorite place on earth!