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Cape Cod Lucky: In Another Time
Dana Eldridge is a quintessential storyteller and in his newest book, Cape Cod Lucky-In Another Time, he gives the reader a glimpse into the Cape Cod of his youth. An eloquent sequel to his first book Once Upon Cape Cod, Cape Cod Lucky is a story of growing up on the Cape in the mid 40's and 1950s - one of the "last remnants of the unhurried life of the nineteenth century". He writes with an infectious humor and a wonderful parochial style as he tells of the people and places of the land he so loves.
170 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 9, 2017
The second of Dana Eldridge’s memoirs of old Cape Cod is just as charming as his first, after a bit of an uneven start. Whereas Once Upon Cape Cod focused upon Eldridge’s childhood in the 1930s, Cape Cod Lucky continues with stories from his “coming of age” through adulthood. A direct descendent of William Nickerson, Chatham’s first settler, the author was immersed in local history simply by hearing family stories. He learned to spin quite a yarn, and is still employed as Cape Cod National Seashore park ranger, telling stories of old Cape Cod, at age 85.
My favorite stories are about adventures on Monomoy, which was attached to Chatham until a storm broke through the beach in the 1950s, making it an island. For the teenaged Eldridge and his friends, this was no barrier, as they continued to launch all manner of questionable skiff and splash across the channel in decrepit Model A Fords at low tide. Racing cars on the beach, fixing cars with whatever means were at hand, building shelter of scavenged materials, working hard to build things, fishing, gathering clams, and cooking satisfying meals snug against winter winds and surf—these stories of simpler times and healthful teenage activities are heartwarming. Not to say that the boys didn’t pull their share of pranks, which are also documented, along with their adventures with young ladies, most of whom were not impressed by their antics.
There are a few profiles of male friends that Eldridge admired. “A Passion for Life” is about good friend Warren Baker, his senior by 15 years. Both men loved adventure, exploring nature, fishing, and shellfish-gathering, especially when a bit of risk was involved. Eldridge marvels over Baker’s heartiness at age 78, still up for flying with Eldridge to Tuckernuck Island in a rented plane so that Eldridge could show him a surprise. As usual, the adventure was more rigorous than planned, and led to the unexpected. At age 85, Eldridge seems every bit as hale and hearty as his companion did at age 78.
Anyone who loves visiting Cape Cod and has the slightest interest in its history will enjoy this book. The stories are easy to read, though a tiny population in Chatham might be hard to imagine. Readers who enjoy New England history and stories of simpler times, related with humor, will like it. If you like the book and live near the Cape, do take a trip up to Eastham to hear one of Dana’s free talks at the Cape Cod National Seashore. Or check out his columns at Wicked Local Cape Cod (http://capecod.wickedlocal.com/search...). He is a very entertaining part of history.
My favorite stories are about adventures on Monomoy, which was attached to Chatham until a storm broke through the beach in the 1950s, making it an island. For the teenaged Eldridge and his friends, this was no barrier, as they continued to launch all manner of questionable skiff and splash across the channel in decrepit Model A Fords at low tide. Racing cars on the beach, fixing cars with whatever means were at hand, building shelter of scavenged materials, working hard to build things, fishing, gathering clams, and cooking satisfying meals snug against winter winds and surf—these stories of simpler times and healthful teenage activities are heartwarming. Not to say that the boys didn’t pull their share of pranks, which are also documented, along with their adventures with young ladies, most of whom were not impressed by their antics.
There are a few profiles of male friends that Eldridge admired. “A Passion for Life” is about good friend Warren Baker, his senior by 15 years. Both men loved adventure, exploring nature, fishing, and shellfish-gathering, especially when a bit of risk was involved. Eldridge marvels over Baker’s heartiness at age 78, still up for flying with Eldridge to Tuckernuck Island in a rented plane so that Eldridge could show him a surprise. As usual, the adventure was more rigorous than planned, and led to the unexpected. At age 85, Eldridge seems every bit as hale and hearty as his companion did at age 78.
Anyone who loves visiting Cape Cod and has the slightest interest in its history will enjoy this book. The stories are easy to read, though a tiny population in Chatham might be hard to imagine. Readers who enjoy New England history and stories of simpler times, related with humor, will like it. If you like the book and live near the Cape, do take a trip up to Eastham to hear one of Dana’s free talks at the Cape Cod National Seashore. Or check out his columns at Wicked Local Cape Cod (http://capecod.wickedlocal.com/search...). He is a very entertaining part of history.
January 13, 2014
love these personal stories about a Cape Cod that was.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews