Dedicated to Henry Beston's literary classic, The Outermost House, and the spirit of life on the Great Outer Beach of Cape Cod

The Outermost News Wire

Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006

Temperatures heading down again

Temperatures moderated somewhat this past week following last weekend's Arctic blast, but hold on to your hats -- another deep chill is blowing through this weekend. Temperatures aren't expected to rise much above 25 degrees for the first couple of days this week. After seeing some ocean effect snow last weekend, expect more of the surprise snow on Sunday after an Alberta Clipper system sails through the area Saturday night, which could dust the region with 1-3 inches of snow.

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006

New Beston Society poll now online

Over the last several months, the Henry Beston Society has been conducting an informal poll on its Web site as to where the "new" Outermost House should be. A whopping 93 percent of voters had a positive answer to rebuilding the National Literary Landmark, with 65 percent of the voters saying that it should be in Eastham, and not in another Outer Cape town. Now comes the next part -- where in Eastham should the new Fo'castle be? Check out www.henrybeston.org and cast your vote.

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006

Ted Waldron dies at age 84

Word has been received of the death of Theodore Alden "Ted" Waldron, who died unexpectedly Wednesday at the age of 84. The husband of the late Nan Turner Waldron, the couple first ventured with friends to The Outermost House in 1961 and became regulars there every year until the house was swept away by high storm tides in 1978. He "loved this place as much as I," she wrote in the dedication of her book, "Journey to Outermost House."  The Waldron family was one the earliest supporters of The Henry Beston Society. Waldron was a veteran of World War II and went on to become vice president at Goldman-Sachs in Boston. An avid fisherman, tennis player and golfer, he lived in Sharon, Mass. and also had a home in Eastham. Survivors include a son, Theodore A. Waldron Jr. of Tucson, Ariz.; three daughters, Lesley Waldron of Bethlehem, Conn., Constance W. Paulson of Kingston and Rebecca W. Suomala of Chichester, N.H.; a sister, Mary Smith of Murphys, Calif.; a brother, Paul Waldron of Northampton; and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Sharon.

Front a fraction of what was expected

The cold front barreling across New England on Friday was accompanied by 60-mph-plus winds, heavy rain and hail, but fell apart as it approached Cape Cod. The highest wind gusts reported on Friday were in the 40-45 mph range. Temperatures continue to fall today, only expected to reach into the 30s, and Sunday's temperatures won't get out of the 20s, with a low of near 10 expected tonight.

Friday, Feb. 17, 2006

Nauset Beach eroding at alarming rate

Ocean front beach in Orleans is eroding at an alarming rate, according to a front-page story in today's Cape Cod Times. It seems that the dunes in the north end of the front end parking lot at Nauset Beach are wearing away at the rate of 4.2 feet per year. At that clip, the dunes there would be gone in 30 years. The north end of Nauset Beach reaches up into Eastham, to the opening of Nauset Marsh -- this area is just west of where Henry Beston's Outermost House once stood on a longer Nauset Spit barrier beach.

Wild winds, falling temps on Cape today

Temperatures may reach 60 early today, but wind speeds will also be hitting that number later on. When a cold front blasts through this afternoon, temperatures will begin to fall and wind gusts could reach 60 mph or more. Thunder, downpours, and, later, snow squalls are all possible. This is one of those situations where the winds aloft drop down to the surface; the last time that sort of thing happened was Dec. 9, when the surprise hurricane hit the Cape with wind gusts up to 100 mph (just an observation from the Outermost Web, nothing more). No doubt, Todd Gross will be following this event from his Web site.

Monday, Feb. 13, 2006

Snow totals lower than mainland

The newly-touted "Blizzard of 2006" has come and gone, leaving anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snow across Cape Cod. At 5 a.m., the clouds and snow had passed, winds had died down considerably, and both stars and moon were visible. The Cape was fortunate in being spared the bands of very heavy snow that passed through (and stalled) across places like New York City, where Central Park received nearly 27 inches of snow. Snowfall totals were approaching two feet across some areas of Eastern Massachusetts. 

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006

Blizzard in its final hours

The high winds and snow continue to fly across Cape Cod as of 4 p.m. Sunday. Snow totals are approaching 10 inches across the Cape, and the winds aren't letting up a bit. Jon March just reported a 52-mph wind gust at Nauset Light Beach in Eastham. "It's a complete northeast to southwest wind, with the snow blowing horizontally," March said via cell phone at 4 p.m. "The surf is intense and is a complete maelstrom, but it's a complete white-out with the snow." The storm is expected to wind down over the next few hours, and after snow showers this evening, be out of the area later tonight. 

Snow flies, wind howls across Cape

The rain / snow line is no longer a concern with today's storm, as snow is piling up around the New England and New York City region. The Big Apple was nearing two feet of snow near midday, with similar amounts in parts of Connecticut. On the Cape, totals are near 7-8 inches, with wind gusts of over 50 mph being reported at Provincetown. Jon March of The Henry Beston Society is out at Nauset Light Beach and Coast Guard Beach as we write this at 1:30 p.m., and we'll have an update from him later on. March clocked a wind gust of 44 mph at Fort Hill in Eastham before heading to Nauset Light. Former WHDH-TV (Boston) meteorologist Todd Gross is tracking the storm at www.capeandislandsweather.com. For the latest on the storm from the Weather Channel, click here.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006

Rain / snow line critical to totals

The latest forecasts for the approaching nor'easter for Saturday night and Sunday have the rain / snow line going right through the Bass River area of the Cape. West of that line could see 8 to 15 inches of snow, while east of the boundary could see under 8 inches of wet white stuff. Winds gusts of 60 mph and minor coastal flooding are possible on the Outer Cape Sunday (high tide is shortly after 11 a.m.). For the take on the storm from the Weather Channel, click here. Another site worth checking out, especially concerning winter storms, is the new Cape & Islands Weather site at www.capeandislandsweather.com. This site comes from former WHDH-TV (Boston) weatherman Todd Gross, who was also the meteorologist profiled in the movie "The Perfect Storm." 

Friday, Feb. 10, 2006

Nor'easter baffles meteorologists

Meteorologists are scrambling like mad to get a grip on what will happen with the storm scheduled to barrel into the region on Saturday night and early Sunday. Snowfall predictions are ranging anywhere from 4-8 inches to over a foot; much will depend on how much rain mixes in with the storm. High tide late Sunday morning could bring slightly higher than average tides, thanks to the full moon, which could prompt coastal flood warnings to be issued. A winter storm watch is in effect as of 2 p.m. Friday afternoon. Click here for the latest.

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006

CCNS accepting comments on dune shacks

The Cape Cod National Seashore is now accepting comments regarding the traditional cultural significance of the dune shacks of the Peaked Hill Bars Historic District until March 30. The comments will be forwarded to researchers who are assessing whether the dune shacks, located in Provincetown and Truro, are traditional cultural property, a National Register designation that could affect how they are managed. There will also be additional opportunities for public comment. Written comments may be sent to: Superintendent, Cape Cod National Seashore, 99 Marconi Site, Wellfleet MA 02667.

Friday, Feb. 3, 2006

Ocean commissions give U.S. 'D+'

The Associated Press reported today that leaders of two expert commissions that spent years examining the nation's ocean policies give the Congress, Bush administration and governors a near-failing grade for not moving quickly enough to address hundreds of their recommendations.

The presidential panel chaired by James Watkins, a retired Navy admiral and former energy secretary, recommended in September 2004 creating a new trust fund, boosting research, improving fisheries management and consolidating federal oversight among 212 recommendations in its 610-page final report, the first federal review of ocean policy in 35 years.

Now, members of the former commissions have joined forces, saying the government's "D+" effort so far could imperil the oceans' health and abundance if the problems are left untended much longer.

Sunday, Jan. 31, 2006

Wild surf from Nor'easter

We didn't get out to the beach for high tide today, but here's a good idea of what the Outer Beach was experiencing, as seen from the South Shore of Massachusetts. Check out the East of Boston blog. Interesting to note: one of the photos is from Duxbury Beach, which is a barrier beach abutting a salt marsh -- sound familiar, HB fans? Astronomically high tides tonight could bring minor to moderate coastal flooding to north-facing beaches on Cape Cod Bay.

Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006

Two storms expected this week

Cape Cod's beaches have already taken a beating this week, and two more storms are on the way over the next 72 hours. Tonight's storm is expected to the less severe of the two, while meteorologists seem to be much more concerned about the one heading here for Tuesday. Click here for the latest.

Dolphins strand, but this group survives

A total of 72 dolphins and 18 pilot whales had already beached themselves this winter before Saturday, but the five dolphins that found themselves stuck on a Provincetown sandbar were still very much alive and were able to be sent back out to sea. Otherwise, it's been a stressful season for the Cape Cod Stranding Network, with scientists and others unable to explain the strandings. To report a stranding, call 508-743-9548. For more on the Cape Cod Standing Network, click here to visit their Web site.