Signs of Spring
I’m writing this on May 20. It is currently cloudy and 53 degrees with a northwest wind at about 10 mph. The next three days will be colder, windier, and rainy, so today I’m writing this to remind myself that Spring in Provincetown is actually magical. Even if it disappears now and then as we head toward Summer.
As I wrote about last year, I love Spring here because it is so slow, compared to other places where I’ve lived in the northeast USA. This year was another reminder of that reality (just last week I passed a very shaded yard where the daffodils were still going strong! DAFFODILS in mid-MAY!).
The wisteria has also been thriving, and for about 10 days here is everywhere you look, and sniff. It blends beautifully with the lilacs, which are also abundant in mid-May.
Another thing in abundance this time of year is fog, as warm air tries to move in over the much colder water that surrounds us–and that water is super stubborn about warming up. Last weekend was our first beach day, and I did a full dip in the Atlantic–it was a balmy 53. I lasted about 135 seconds!
It’s also the time of year when the seasonal shops, galleries, restaurants, bars and homes quickly get ready to open for the season. People are painting, planting, cleaning, and replacing shutters and shingles that might have been damaged over the Winter. Town goes from sleepy and quiet to bustling and loud over the course of a few days in late April. It’s a fun change to witness each year (this is my 6th Spring here).
Similarly, in May the boats slowly start returning to their moorings in Provincetown Harbor. Some, like the Cee Jay, go up on the rack for repairs to get ready for fishing charters and other adventures at sea. The photo here of the Cee Jay is from a week or 2 ago–last night I biked MacMillan Pier and saw the boat back in the water.
Despite the chilly temperatures and stretches of grey–which we’re in right now–my photography work reminds me that this is still a pretty magical place. And soon it will be very hot and humid, and many of us will be longing for the cool and quiet of Fall.
Be well!
