2022-07-12
Summertime Vibe
For several days I found this bike chained to a signpost across the street from the West Falmouth market as I was heading toward the bike path for my morning walk. It belonged to a young man coming off the bike path from his morning ride and headed into the market for a coffee and breakfast. I only had one short conversation with him in which I told him how much I liked the color of his bike. He replied by telling me he’s owned it for five years.
I assume he was a tourist since I haven’t seen him since his regular appearances ended after about five days. I’ve been a year-round resident on Cape Cod for 19 years. The summers always produce conflicting emotions for me. I don’t like the abrupt increase in the town population with the associated crowding and chaos that comes with it. But so many people in a good mood and looking to have fun at the beach create an irresistible summertime vibe that I’ve grown to appreciate.
The first day I spotted this bright green bicycle, I immediately reached for my camera to capture an image that nicely describes summertime in my little beach town. I imagine that the summers here feel like they haven’t changed in decades for so many of us, residents and tourists alike. Maybe it’s that nostalgic feeling that keeps the tourists coming back.
Monte