Of early trips to Cape Sable Island – by boat, then train, then ferry – to a very different world for a very little girl.
We took the boat to Yarmouth from Rowes wharf in Boston – “Rose wharf – what a pretty name for a wharf”, said I. The train ride from Yarmouth was so exciting that I left my favorite be-ribboned bonnet behind. At Barrington we caught the ferry to the island – no causeway approach at that time.
My greatgrandfather and greatgrandma owned the Seaview Hotel and I admired the stone dogs that guarded the steps – was amazed to see spittoons strategically placed in the front rooms. And my happy day when my bonnet arrived, found and returned from the train. I remember curling up in a rocking chair and looking at things to buy in the dream book (Sears Roebuck catalog) with greatgrandma. A puzzle – everyone called them Aunt Ruth and Uncle Lennie, but to me it had to be grampa and gramma. Different from my grandmother I called Nana and my grandfather I called Pampa.
Now there were many things to be seen and to learn about in visits over the next seven years – the house across the street, built by grampa with living quarters upstairs, postoffice and grocery store below.(Grampa was also postmaster for about fifty years altogether). There was also a blacksmith shop, a barn and oh my that barn was scary when I was just three years old – I walked very quickly and carefully to pass the cows that would kick and swish their tails – there was a pig, a horse and at the very end two very large oxen! I learned to milk the cows when I got older and braver – and what fun to squirt some warm milk right into my mouth. Back at the hotel, later run by greatuncle Rob and aunt Lo there were hens and geese – the latter to be avoided as they hissed, nipped and chased me. But what fun learning to churn butter with aunt Lo.
Among last year’s archives you will find “Four Generations” with information about those mentioned above . . . and as I think of all the many changes in life style and activities over the years – stay with me for a bit and there will be more to come.
