Cape Cod Rock Hopper

Arial Banners & Cucumber Salad

You know something that has been around for many many years and that is the banner planes that fly up the down the coast. I remember  in the early years around 1969 or 1970 first really taking notice of airplanes. I became very interested in airplanes in general and was always on the lookout for airplanes. But coming to the Cape brought a whole new meaning to plane watching for a young lad so enamored by these flying machines.  I remember sitting on the beach one early August summer weekend day and hearing that familiar sound. I looked all around the saw off in the distance the plane coming down the shore line. As it got closer I noticed it had a big banner that it was towing behind it and was so excited to see such a sight. It was an older single engine plan, probably an old crop duster or something like that but to a young impressionable kid it might as been a fighter jet or a space ship. Over the next weeks I saw more and more of these wonderful planes and the banners they brought. At that time I was more interested in the planes then in the banners they were towing, but when you have a kid on a beach pointing out, plane, plane, plane to his parents the advertisers just got their moneys worth as every banner got viewed by every adult with a kid on every beach. And every kid got treated to every kind of single engine plane over the years, from old Cub Cadet crop dusters and bush planes, to early Cessnaes and Pipers. Single overhead and under belly winged plans and an occasional biplane would fly by and dazzle all who where there to see.

Over the years my interests have changed and now I have actually become more interested to see how creative the advertising banners have gotten. The planes and the banners seemed to become more prevalent between the 80's and 2000, however after 911 things seemed to calm down a bit, and for good reason. The banners have seemed to compete with each other to who could outdo who in size and the amount of verbiage being used and if they added any designs to the letters. I have noticed as I have gotten older that economic times also has played a great role on how many planes and banners are going by and who is doing the advertising. Some years we have had an abundance of restaurants others have brought condos and time share real estate. Then there are the ever creative liqueur adds which seem to out do the rest hands down. And can I do an editorial like this and not mention those, I love you banners and will you marry me ones. You wonder just how many guys actually got a NO answer cause he really ticked her off that morning by tracking sand back into the bathroom where his girlfriend had just cleaned it for her mother, ouch, LOL.

Anyway I still love sitting on the beach and watching those planes go by, and trying to guess what the next plane's advertisement it going to be. I also love to look up and try to guess what kind of plane they are using and wondering how many summers it has done its job pulling the big banners down the coast line for all the tourist to see. Next time you see one,, give a wave and the give the pilot something to notice, you might be surprised that some of them can actually see the people on the beach.

And until I can get there to wave myself, someone please keep the light in the light house lit till I can find my way back.. Till then always enjoy the Cape. ...        

The recipe of the week was made for a warm sunny summer evening dinner or for the picnic on or near the beach. It is cool, tasty, and easy and can different things can be added or subtracted to suit the tastes of your guests. So look it over add your own ideas and make put a tasty twist to this summertime favorite.

Cucumber Salad

•     2    med-lrg   cucumbers thinly sliced with skins left on
•     1    bunch  green onions chopped
•     1    med  yellow/orange sweet bell pepper thinly sliced in strips
•     1    med-lrg  tomato chopped, the less seeds the better
•     1    cup  sour cream
•     1/3    cup vinegar (preferably cider, white will work however cut back to 1/4 cup)
•     1/2    tsp.  salt (for a zing use a flavored sea salt)
•     1/4    tsp.  pepper
•     2    Tbsp.  sugar

In one bowl put, sliced cucumbers, green onions, sweet peppers, and chopped tomato, cover and set aside. In separate bowl mix sour cream, vinegar, salt pepper, sugar and whisk together. About 2 hours before serving add to cucumber mixture and allow to marinate in the refrigerator. Service chilled. If you allow to marinate for too long your veggies risk getting soggy, and no one wants a soggy cucumber.

As I said add or subtract what you want, my wife normally does not eat tomatoes,, she is the only one in the family who does not but you do what you gotta do. I like tomatoes...enjoy.