Getting it Up on Cape Cod

Summer is officially over. Put away your linen and your bathing suits and unpack your sweaters. To salute the last glimmers of the season, I’m bringing you a special bonus episode featuring an essay by my friend, Abraham Storer. It’s called “Getting It Up” about a summertime tradition on the Outer Cape of a crew of young guys finding a big log on the beach and trying to plant it upright in the sand.

…At least tonight, the boys seemed alright. Maybe their task was pointless, but there was strength, ingenuity, determination, brotherhood, and even a bit of heroism on display. Some foolishness, too. As the sky turned a dark, inky blue and people started arranging the shipping palettes and logs for a celebratory bonfire, Nobili shimmied up the pole. Nearly 50 feet from the ground, he was silhouetted against the night sky.

“Get me a coconut,” someone yelled.

“Throw him up a beer,” said another.”

“Getting it Up” was originally published in issue 2 of Cape Cod Compass, with photographs by Cole Barash. It’s a new magazine dedicated to exploring art, science, design, ecology, and culture within coastal communities, founded and edited by another pal, Aaron A. Binaco.

Cheers to the end of summer!