The First Time Ever I Saw the Cape

      It was a long time ago, and it was summer, one of those hot summers.  I don't remember how it came about, but Barbara drove, I think it might have been her Mustang convertible, but I could be wrong. I remember riding along, carefree, with the radio playing "Hang On, Snoopy"  and perhaps, Dean Martin's "Houston."  We were there for probably a week or more, and went to several of the towns, but what I remember most was the trip to Truro, way far out on the Cape.  It seems we drove to the very end, into the dunes, until we came to a lighthouse on the edge of a cliff, pretty much deserted. It's hard to believe now, but back in the 60's, no one carried water with them, not even in their cars, no one we knew anyway.   Bottled water was yet to be invented, (except for glass quart bottles of Saratoga Vichy) , and people didn't eat and drink as often then anyhow.  Most likely, telephone service was not even available, and of course no one had ever heard of a cell phone.  Isolation was possible in those days. 
     For some reason, we decided to descend the dune, by the abandoned lighthouse, down to the ocean.  We made it down okay, and probably dipped our toes in the water, but the climb up almost killed us.  I speak for myself, but it must have been true for both of us.  The climb, for that's what it was, was long and steep,  the day was blazing hot, and we were parched.  I remember trying to gain purchase on the side of the cliff, and just grabbing a handful of sand.  There must have been a reason the place was deserted, and I think if we'd died that day our bodies could still be there.  
    Years later, on a family trip to the Cape, we decided to explore a little, and to revisit the scene of my near demise, but the road to that part of the cape was closed off, permanently I understood.