Cape Cod 2006 Memories and Seascape Artist Vernon H. Coleman

Karen, Nate, and Jennifer (Me)

Gramps and Grams Coleman

Cape Cod Massachusetts is my heritage and birthplace.  We moved to Utah in 1981 and I have never understood why my parents left the Cape in the first place other than wanting to be among other Latter Day Saint Mormons. My brother Nate, sister Karen, and I went to Cape Cod in July 2006 to see our Grandfather Vernon Ellsworth Coleman and step Grandmother Gloria Coleman of Marston Mills. We had a fantastic time with him and Gloria.  My step Grandmother is a gourmet cook!  She served us some delicious food!  Since my Grandfather is a local, he recommended a perfect list of fun things to do while visiting Cape Cod.

1. Eat a lot of fresh seafood! 
 We ate fresh shrimp, lobster, crab, clam chowder, etc at any local Cape Cod seafood restaurants.  I did not have a preference on the place because generally sea food is expensive where ever you go and it ALL tastes good to me!  My favorite place to have lunch was at the Box Lunch! As for some great places for dessert, we absolutely loved the ice cream from Cape Cod Creamery and Four Seas Ice Cream.

2.  Body surf and lounge at Long Beach and Sandy Neck!
My grandfather recommended those two beaches because they are less touristy.  There are few people on them compared to the public beaches.  The big bonus was the fact that he  dropped us off instead of us having to pay for parking which is around $15.00 a day.

3. Look at beautiful lighthouses!

Chatham Light House

4.  Sightseeing and Shopping in Hyannis and Provincetown.  
  I love the vintage shops such as the 1856 Country Store in Centerville and the quaint outdoor stores on Main Street Hyannis and colorful shops on Main Street Provincetown!  I picked up some yummy salt water taffy, a rope bracelet, Cape Cod clothing, Boston Red Sox stuff, cute souvenirs such as magnets, postcards, collectibles, shells, nautical themed decorations, jewelry,etc.  We loved looking at the harbor in Hyannis and was surprised how much we we could do and see in Hyannis and Provincetown.

Hyannis Port
Ferry boats to Nantucket, whale watching, and deep sea fishing boats are usually docked here.   Many years ago, I went with my father on a boat ride to see John F. Kennedy's Home from Hyannis Port. John F. Kennedy Museum is located in Hyannis as well.

 Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown

5.  Visit Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II at Pilmoth Plantation.

6.  Take a ferry to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

Around August 2010, Nate and Karen took a Ferry boat ride from Hyannis Port to Nantucket.  They had a lovely time visiting the beaches, walking to the lighthouse, and eating there.

7. Go to Museums, Town Hall, etc to see my Great Grandfather's seascape paintings!

To our surprise in 2006, we planned our trip while my Great Grandfather Vernon Herbert Coleman (1898 -1978) nautical paintings were being showcased at Centerville Historical Museum.  My Great Grandfather was a well known marine seascape muralist artist.  He was also an art teacher on the Cape.  He taught junior high, high school, as well as elementary school children.  I was able to get a couple prints of his famous pieces at the art exhibit and my father has given me a couple original seascape paintings, which I have hanging up in my home.  We were thrilled to see many of his work of arts!  What an incredibly talented artist! I am so lucky to have him as my Great Grandfather!

These were found at Auctions

Hyannisport Marsh with Dunes

 Sandy Neck Cape Cod 

Rocky Coastal Scene

Cape Cod Cove

Crosby's Boat Yard

Stan Dubeck's Cabin Cruiser

My Grandfather Vernon E. Coleman found this at a yard sale.

 These are some of my favorite paintings by my Great Grandfather 

He loved painting clipper ships!

I love the sand dunes in this one!

 
My Dad owns this painting

Some of his large murals are found in Barnstable Town Hall, Pope John Paul II Catholic High School, Center for Creative Arts in Hyannis, Centerville Recreation Building Senior Home, and Osterville Historical Society Boat House.  He has hundreds of paintings that are collected by art dealers, fans of his work, family, friends, etc. 

This large mural can be found at Barnstable Town Hall.

Lastly, there are several breathtaking murals that are found at the  Centerville Recreation Building Senior Home and Pope John Paul II Catholic High School.

Spanish Ship and Clipper Ship in the High School

Captain's Wife on Widow Walk, 19th Century Sailing Vessels, Whale Tail, and Neptune

This was his last clipper painting he did which he gave to my Grandfather Vernon E. Coleman 

There are endless things to do while vacationing on Cape Cod.  My brother Nate during a trip a couple years ago went Whale Watching with my Grandfather.  You can go sailing, deep sea fishing, canoeing, kayaking, biking, exploring dunes, etc.  Cape Cod will always be "my home" as well as have a special place in my heart!