By Jennifer Ciotta

Today Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts serves as a nature reserve for tourists and students alike.  To keep in the tradition of Henry Beston, one must simply relax and take in the patterns of nature and all her beauty.

Unfortunately, during the great storm of 1978, Beston's cottage, The Outermost House, was destroyed.  The headquarters of the Cape Cod National Seashore sits on the outer beach, and two miles south of this building was the exact spot of Beston's cottage.  Its actual name was Fo'c'sle, and the author constructed the tiny home by himself.  It measured only 21 feet long by 16 feet wide, however, windows encompassed all four sides of the house thus giving way to stunning views of the natural surroundings.  Today, a visitor can experience some of what Beston had by signing up for the NEED program, held at the Seashore headquarters.  The mission statement of the program is to "offer educational groups an opportunity to experience the many natural and historical wonders of Cape Cod on a multi-day basis."  Groups book six to eight months in advance, and stay at the cottage for anywhere from two days to a week.  During the program groups learn about Coast Guard Beach and its environs.

When school is in session teachers bring their young minds to Beston's territory to observe coastal erosion, American history, and wildlife.  On their journey to the New World, the Pilgrims first sighted Coast Guard Beach on November 9, 1620.  Over 3,000 shipwrecks haunt these waters, as well as a 4,000 year-old Native American settlement.  Seals "haul out" (rest on shore) in the winter, while endangered nesting plovers hop about in summer.

On the other hand, when school is out, sunbathers frequent the shore.  Seafood lovers slurp oysters out of the shell.  Or like Beston, others soak in the natural surroundings from a seaside cottage.