This is a fireplace in Nickerson State Park built by the United States Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression. The workers came to the Cape as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal during the Depression. His "Tree Army" planted an estimated 3 billion trees between 1933 and 1942, including many non-native species in the state park right near my house. This fireplace represents what's left of their home base during that time.
I'm dedicating this photo to my Aunt Sandie (@sandier) because I know she will recognize it. It is very close her former home. She's the reason I now live on Cape Cod. I came to live with her right after I graduated from high school to earn money for college and found my one true home.
She now lives in Oahu, Hawaii, and I probably shouldn't visit there, since I may fall in love all over again.
Laurie, you are such a sweetheart. I have so many color print photos of this fireplace with kids climbing all over it. It is a bitter-sweet memory, because although I love my new home on Oahu, nothing will ever replace my Cape Cod home in my heart. Love you, and thank you for dedicating this photo to me. It is a treasure, for sure, and an instant FAV!
@sandier Loving you right back! Sorry to create a bitter-sweet memory. Those memories should be pure sweet! Life moves on and moves us, but some things stay the same and family is still important. The most important thing, actually. You would love how close Tommy and Noah are now. Noah still comes to our house every Friday, and those boys have such a good time together...close cousins, second generation...you've got to love that.
@sandier@lauriehiggins LH--I'm going to Oahu Nov 12-20 come with me and visit your favorite Aunty! We could do a meet and shoot & go to see all of my favorite sights--Diamond Head, Makapuu, Kailua Beach, The Mission Houses, Queen Emma's Summer Palace, Pali Lookout! It would be pretty fun! Come on LH! The Aloha State is calling us!
I love the stone work on this Fireplace! Can it be used for fires--that would be fabulous to have a fire, make smores, and tell spooky stories!
Cool shot. I just visited the first forestry school at Pisgah National Forest in NC. They had a great story about teaching people to replant the forest at the turn of the century. There are now more trees on the East coast than during the 1800s.
Great shot Laurie. Such a beautiful fireplace. I have many great memories of Nickerson State Park, but I can't place where this fireplace is located. Next time I come we'll have to go there, build a fire, and have a BBQ.
This is a wonderful photo! I love these fireplaces that somehow survive. They don't make me sad so much as I think the they are lovely standing all alone like this. But you know me...I like cell phone towers too...I am just off. :-)
@christiehicks It is right across the street from Aunt Sandie's old house. You're on for the fire and hotdogs, but be forewarned we might be arrested. At this point in my life, I'm kind of thinking, who cares?
Well, it won't be the first time I've been kicked out of Nickerson State Park. Went skinny dipping there one night with a pack of tipsy teens and was politely yet firmly asked to leave (don't tell our moms @sabanford and @carmichaelbev). I think a small BBQ will attract less attention. LOL
@lorihiro Maybe you and I could set up a meeting while you're here on Oahu. Actually, I'm heading off-island on the 15th, but maybe we could at least meet each other. You look "local". Is that possible?
@christiehicks Christie, I can't believe you didn't know that was right through the first row of bushes across from my house in inside the park border. That's pretty funny. Guess you aren't in any of my old photos taken there when you and Laurie were kids. :o) Skinny dipping? Let me see.... probably included some other teenagers I knew well.
@lorihiro@sandier Oh, you have no idea how much I would love to explore Oahu with you both! I can't figure out how I would make that happen. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to pay for a new washing machine because mine kicked the bucket tonight. So travel is not in the budget. But you two should definitely hook up! Lori, you will love my aunt! And then I can see the photos you take together!
I love the stone work on this Fireplace! Can it be used for fires--that would be fabulous to have a fire, make smores, and tell spooky stories!
fantastic
as an engineer I appreciate the fact its still standing after all those years!!
lovely laurie