Terry Cowgill

A Slice of Heaven in Hatteras

My friend Steve Potter, the former general manager of Lime Rock Park, sent me the following photo he took Sept. 21 while on vacation. Here is the text of his email:

“Sitting 30 miles or so east of the mainland, Cape Hatteras on North Carolina’s Outer Banks has the reputation of producing some of the world’s loveliest sunsets. Judge for yourself; I made this photo last Thursday (the fall equinox, as it happens) at sundown.”

Best regards,
Steve

Steve, this photo reminds me of sitting on a tree stump and watching the sunset over Currituck Sound while sipping a fresh peach dacquiri with my old buddies from boarding school. From Duck to Okracoke Island, I, too, have enjoyed the fine beaches and friendly people of the OBX. I first visited there in 1978, when the only food store in Kitty Hawk was Wee Winks, which is smaller than the Canaan Market. I haven’t been back since 1997, when my now-10-year-old son was still in diapers. My wife and I honeymooned in Southern Shores in 1988. This makes me nostalgic for both of those visits. We’ve got to go back again soon.

Sorry, No Blueberries To Spare

I went out into my backyard yesterday to my blueberry bushes, expecting to pick a bunch and feast on them that night or this morning for breakfast.

But instead of the hundred I expected, I barely managed to get 15 or 20. And I don’t think the birds have been stealing them — not anymore than usual anyway. Even the berry bunches behind the black netting were sparse.

Could it be that my ever-curious and berry-munching daughter has been picking them on the sly? I don’t think so. For one thing, she denies it. And for another, there is a paucity of berries even on the upper sections of the bush that are out of her reach.

Continue reading Sorry, No Blueberries To Spare…

Why the Roar?

The Great Falls of the Housatonic River are seen this afternoon from the Salisbury side. The falls were as active as I have seen them in some time. I had a chat at the top of the overlook with Peter Gilbert and his son Caleb, but the sound of the rushing water was so loud I could barely hear the conversation.

Normally on a day like this there are swimmers dipping into the swirling pools at the bottom. But not today. It would have been far too dangerous. It has been hot and dry for the last several days with little measurable rainfall. Any idea why the falls are still acting like they’re the victim of a recent deluge?

A Vision Clouded By Reality

The view from Robin Hill in Lakeville toward Racoon Hill in Salisbury was eerily padded with low-lying clouds this morning around sunrise. [scenic photo taken bleary-eyed from my driveway by yours truly]