Dune Shacks: taste of Cape Cod's floating & well-aged homes

They are 19 worn-down and well-aged shacks that sit at the edge of the continent. They’re surrounded by sand- Thoreau described the area as barren and desolate-, but the dune shacks that spot Cape Cod’s Peaked Hill Historic District have inspired artists for nearly a century.
Eugene O’Neill was one of the earlier settlers back in 1916. Jack Kerouac created part of On The Road here in 1950. The artists and writers inspired by these unimposing shelters include Tennessee Williams, Norman Mailer, e.e. cummings, Jackson Pollack, Mark Rothko and John Dos Passos.
Sitting at the edge of the continent, the shacks are only a few miles from where the Pilgrims first landed in 1620 and its continued to be an area for self-reliant types. The area has never been populated by more than a few fisherman, artists and for several decades after 1882, by members of the US Lifesaving Service (the dwellers of the original shacks).
The ground is in constant movement here. Dune dwellers call it “liquid earth” and they have built and rebuilt their homes on the sand in expectation that change is the only certainty. “The hardy people who built dwellings out here almost surfed on the dunes,” explains current dune dweller and artist Romolo.
Romolo's shack was built on the remains of Eugene O’Neill’s structure by Jeanne “Frenchie” Chanel, who came to the area with fellow Broadway showgirl Bette Davis. After inheriting the shack from Frenchie, Romolo and his father were forced to rebuild in the 1970s when shifting sands buried the original structure. Romolo is a sculptor and like so many other artists, finds inspiration in this refuge.
Original story: faircompanies.com/videos/view/...

[@drivenhome7840]

My Aunt lived near Peggy's Cove Nova Scotia in a tiny house with her husband. I was young when I visited and remember how tiny her house was and how large and round my aunt was. But she was a cook and her tiny wood stove made the best chowder and pound cake on the continent. I loved that visit.

[@30dayride67]

I love coming back to this video whenever life gets too cluttered with stuff and I'm not able to physically get away to recharge. It just soothes the soul. Thank you to all involved in making and sharing it with us.

[@janie5630]

Beautiful. I was there one winter and watched the sunset at the beach near Provincetown, and it was the first time I had ever cried watching a sunset purely for its beauty. Thanks for sharing this.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

What a wonderfully articulate and lucky fellow. I have watched most of your videos and you have a gift for finding people in love with their surroundings and able to express themselves well. Thanks for sharing.

[@Maxcactus]

This documentary is a work of art. Thank you.

[@slobomotion]

If you ever want to go here, I have some tips for you. It's fascinating and I was delighted to take my French spouse here in 2000. He was fascinated and flipped out at the drive-in movie in Wellfleet, ha ha ha!!! He loved this!

[@MsFrosteetoes]

slobomotion One of the few drive-ins left in this country. It is a treat.

[@slobomotion]

MsFrosteetoes Thank heaven! It was wonderful fun, everyone with their folding chairs, coolers and bug spray. The kids went over to the play area. Well-attended. We of course didn't care what the movie was -- that wasn't the point! :)

[@TalksWithDirt]

Rex Miller Its not a work of Art. It's a work of Kirsten Dirksen.

[@paysontom1]

I had the wonderful good fortune to live there back in 1970/71 while stationed with the Air Force at North Truro. I spent a great deal of time walking and at that time driving these dunes in an old vw dunebuggy. Rebuilt an old sailboat with a buddy and sailed it out of N Truro harbor. Hunted for gold coin from the Widdah. Maintained property near the Coast Guard Station. Homes now long devoured by the collapsing sand dunes. Collected driftwood and flotsam and made items for our small apartment. Still have a few of them. Kale soup on a cold winter night. Harvesting scallop and clams. Discussing Nietzche, Kant, and other poets and philosophers in the small tavern in downtown P Town. I will never forget the wild ride from P Town to Otis as we headed to the Hospital for the birth of our first child at Otis AFB. Police escort at 1am town to town all the way down rte 6 at 95mph. Decades ago now but the sound of the wind in the grass, the wind whipping the sand the sheer fear of trying to outsail a November squall and making it back into harbor safely, are still fresh in my mind all these years later. May these Dune shacks remain, forever a reminder of Freedom. Individuality and wild nature.

[@patriciasalem3606]

This is one of my favorite docs and KZbin videos. Del Deo is so articulate and passionate about the fragility and beauty of the dunes. While the visuals were stunning, his commentary was also so vivid and inspiring that a blind person could listen to the soundtrack to this film and still enjoy it. Kirsten, you were wise to just let him speak and to add your camera's images to enhance and play off his words. I live on the other side of the continent, in the dunes of Baja California, Mexico, which is a less-protected but equally fragile desert ecosystem. This film resonated with me in ways that sent ripples beyond just the 25 minutes I spent watching it. I am a writer, and not only did this help me formulate ideas about the finish of one novel and what my next project will be, it made me realize how much I need to spend more time simply absorbing the nature around me here in Mexico to lend clarity to my work. I'm from Massachusetts originally, and have spent many days on the Cape. In fact, my parents live in Yarmouth. My dad introduced me to the National Seashore and the wonders of Cape beaches as a child. This film makes me yearn to return there to write--maybe as an artist in residence one day soon? Thank you for posting this!

[@sirich7751]

This man's narration is like a poetry in its own. So eloquently simple and descriptive.

[@40ny]

I love his yardstick of what's worth worrying about: how will it stand up to a windstorm. Well said!

[@capecodislife5104]

Agreed!

[@ogaustin1372]

Yes ! My sentiment exactly.

[@SJM6791]

I couldn’t agree with him more.

[@puudavis2007]

So beautiful how you tell the story and your love for the area , much of the dunes of O’ahu , Hawaii , humans flattened but during my childhood they were all there . One of my favorite songs of my dad who grew up on the east coast was Cape cod and I still love it , I have never been my home and birth place Hawaii he fell in love with along with my native Hawaiian mama . So admire these beautiful “ Pu’u One”( sand hills)

[@MrCanigou]

Beautiful Kirsten ! Reminds me of the dunes at Dunkirk - France near which I grew up. Same blue-greyish sky an sea, same vegetation. Thank you for sharing this pure marvel.

[@EastCoast2010]

As a Dune Tour Driver working for Rob Costa, this is one of my absolutely most favorite jobs. It was a dream come true to have Rob ask ME to work for HIM and the Dune Tour Family! This video is AMAZING! Thank you SO much!! :)

[@2bsirius]

This reminded me of one of my favorite books of all time Henry Beston's "The Outer Most House"...As Beston phrased it, "Nature is a part of our humanity, and without some awareness and experience of that divine mystery man ceases to be man.”

[@ShakespeareCafe]

2b Sirius nice

[@karimaosmani4211]

So much beauty. Filmed in late afternoon, how unusual! How precious this little film is! This person is a poet and someone I would love to cross path with one day. What a brilliant man. Kirsten, this is a jewel. Very well done and, Thank you!!!

[@randolphtorres4172]

I see others that provide video documents as you do but seriously, your style of interviewing, editing is my favorite, well done young lady. THANKSGIVING

[@061356]

watching this video was like viewing a fine movie about history and present day. I love it.

[@alexxxandder]

this guy is very well spoken. good video.

[@Seastorm-nh8cv]

When I first started watching KZbin [and I was not prepared for the good stuff I find here] I watched this Video. A part of New England history and life that I never knew about. I started to follow alternative homes which were in abundance here. I no longer watch television, don't even have cable. What a wonderful "old friend" this video is, and I keep coming back to it just to experience the history it uncovers, Thanks!

[@margiepeary8003]

This video restored beautiful memories of a weekend visit to my friend's shack owned by her g'father. It was located on Island beach State Park at the Jersey Shore. We swam and collected mussels during the day and climbed the abandoned 'lookout tower' used during WW2 and played cards by candlelight after a simple meal. There was a magical dormitory type upstairs screened room where you could see the ocean on one side and Barnegat Bay and lights from the mainland on the other side. Truly one of my BEST childhood memories ever!!!

[@Jackwagon]

Another amazing vid!!! This fella is SO well spoken and knowledgable about his surroundings.

[@chancebronson9375]

I couldn't sleep... Stumbled on this it brought me such joy. It also got me thinking about Sal and Dorothy who was so wonderful and amazing... Thankyou 🙏

[@cherylanderson3340]

This is the Cape few ever see. Thank you so much for bringing me along to share in another enriching experience, for another charming visit with a unique dweller who has a valuable perspective, who lives in an exceptional location & who is such a pleasure to encounter, as he showed us around a dwelling which he has lived with since childhood. There's a story to be told & our guide touched upon many aspects - each as interesting as the next. .

[@fringestream990]

I truly appreciate the love this man has for this area. I know I'm in the right company here, but I wish more people have a similar love for preservation of nature. And really preservation of Simple Living too! Shame things seem in the total opposite of that though....

[@SapioiT]

I think a small solar+wind powered water distillery and a solar oven could be used to slightly increase the quality of life. Maybe even adding more stilts and importing some ground, just to have planting pots where to grow food.

[@MayimHastings]

Wow, this was gorgeously done! Why did he have to say everything so perfectly? Thank you for this, it’s an honor and privilege to see it. 😘💨

[@RJCooper2]

I want to thank you very much for bringing me back to 1966 or so and spending a day with my Dad, whose outlook was very much the same - just refreshing.

[@melaniek1984]

Amazing! Thanks for this glimpse into the life of Dune Dwellers.

[@carlyhall7821]

I could listen to you all day . I grew up on Martha's Vineyard and spent hours on the beach with my dog just combing the dunes and ocean. My mother would often have to send the local police out to call me home and I was always up right before sunrise sneaking out back to my home on the dunes...... I so want to go back home!

[@mauricepowers3804]

It's sad to hear that even before the making of this country human beings were devastating the landscape! Thank You once again for a wonderful video!

[@shevetlevi2821]

Cape Cod is my favorite place on the East Coast. I love Cape Cod architecture; rustic and simple and it seems to embrace you. We were blessed to live on the Vineyard for 5 years and the drive at the beginning of this video reminded me of when we'd take our little Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 out on in the dunes of Chappaquidick. Frenchy's shack reminds me of Dogfish Bar on the other (western) side of the Vineyard. Such a nice period for us. Watching this again 2 years later (July 2023). We just returned from an extensive road trip that included Cape Cod. We stayed 3 days in Provincetown which included a sunset tour in an SUV of these same dune shacks of Peaked Hill. I hope that the stakeholders can find that balance that enables them to preserve these special dwellings. I didn't catch the name of the gentleman who guided us through this video but all of his comments and observations rang true and were of value. I'm reading a coffee table book about Peaked Hill and its dune shacks. In contrast to this video some of the comments made by the well known artists and writers who lived in these shacks are so pretentious that I'm tending to just skip to the beautiful photos in the book. I live in south Florida now which of course is another world from the Cape Cod National Seashore but in 2005 we were visited by hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, 2 months apart. We lost electric for 14 days and water for 3 days. Large trees fell across U.S. Route 1, a 6 lane highway which goes all the way to Maine. There was no electric, no cars or other powered travel during this period and life literally returned to much of how it was during the beginning of the 20th Century. It was an interesting glimpse just as this beautifully narrated tour is an interesting glimpse of life pared away to elemental living.

[@laurac56]

Wow! Fascinating.Very interesting man and location. Re anyone who thinks these houses are wrecks-the outsides look like other Cape Cod exteriors, perhaps a little more affected by nature than most, and the inside of his looks like a summer camp. Nothing wrong with that.

[@sallygoodnow1144]

I walked those dunes in the late '60' s on our family vacation to the Cape. Loved it.

[@Mfnorty]

Thanks Kirsten! Beautiful part of the Cape! Entire Cape is just awesome!

[@dennismckee9710]

Wonderful! I've been on the dunes last year but didn't encounter the shacks. This video made me stop and think about our place on the earth. Thanks.

[@Itwasallwonderfulnot]

What a treasure of a documentary!

[@LaurenDelsackAstrologer]

"Being reduced to speechlessness." Love that ;-)

[@perk2211]

No doubt one of the best produced documentaries I’ve seen which perfectly describes the beauty and history of the outermost shacks on the cape. Simplicity is oftentimes hard to capture and describe. This short documentary captures both.

[@Jarjarjar21]

Love it! I hitchhiked to Cape Cod when 16 ...many many many moons ago...from Canada...walked the beaches...My English ancestors founded Rhode Island colonies....

[@RTAV108]

Concluding sentence 'you basically reduce to speechlessness.. and that happens every single day..' It sums it up the entire effect of this tranquil sanctuary. .. absolutely marvelous..

[@deborahbigham4522]

I love places like that. It's surprising how little you really need to survive. When the hubby and I were first married we lived in what my in laws called the little house. It was two rooms, bedroom and office/wash room. So with no kitchen the hubby obtained a camper for me and we gutted it and then put in electric appliances and a mini hot water heater. It worked! So it was all we needed. It was like camping all the time. I loved it.

[@catherinemoore9534]

Very eloquent man. A pleasure to listen to. An education as well as an inspiration. ❤️

[@WhyNot-zr5kl]

What beautiful way to live...just a really wonderful place. Loved the gentleman speaking, was a truly wonderful watch and listen.

[@johnbergholm]

even tho this is 3 years old now, it maintains it's relevance. thanks for making this one.

[@MrComaToes]

I remember seeing one of these homes 30 years ago out on those dunes and thought it was a shame that it was being swallowed up by the sand. What I assumed was that the shack was abandoned, but more likely it was merely the shifting sand and it was one of these homes you've showed. Glad to see that they still exist, hopefully they will continue into the future! Nice Vid!

[@SurfBeatle]

I enjoyed this story very much. thank you for a wonderful half hour trip.

[@yourmajesty3569]

This guy is well read. You can tell by his speech and vocabulary. He could engage me for hours with his conversation. Wonderfully done. Such a deep understanding of what is happening in that environment. We've been blessed with his tour.

[@Ethannesss]

“A lot of artistic processes are about trying to take in as much as you can and eliminating what’s not absolutely necessary, so that the artists experience becomes a filter for life” Wow, I screamed out loud. Well. Said.

[@capecodislife5104]

Absolutely captivating video about the beauty and simplicity of nature on the outer Cape. Thank you so much for this!

[@reneecannon1250]

The view just got better from your windows, fresh tall green grass, blue ocean, blue and lavender sky with white clouds ♡

[@achoirofneurons]

Excellent Kristen. So glad I found your channel. Love your work.

[@sashastarshanti3599]

It's 1/5/21 this video is a gift encapsulated in sand, wind, water, wood, time, and beauty beyond imagination. I so hope all the dune cabins and dwellers within them are still there. Thank you.

[@FishKungfu]

Excellent video! I had never heard of these dune shacks before.

[@BeeVeggieFriend]

This was just a beautiful video...Very calm and positive. Thank you for going out there and recording this Kirsten and also to Romolo. It is just an amazing place..Barbora, Slovakia

[@drewviz5102]

when dawn comes around, every hour you miss around here, it pains you cause you're missing so much beauty every single day..

[@erin19030]

I loved hoking the dunes at sundown and sunrise, watching the deer come down to the ocean in moonlight.

[@jefferson4213]

the homes, the scenery, the history, the humanity - a wonderful watch from start to finish! p.s. add edward hopper to the list of great artists who spent a lot of time out there

[@superbug1977]

This film/video is delightful. We have been given an insider's view, a backstage pass. The USA has many aspects and this is a very charming example.

[@9amStudio]

Love your videos. I look forward for each new uploads.

[@alfriedar]

Kristen .. great job.. I actually liked that you said so little and he had a long story line .. It worked on this piece... I was on Cap Cod often and never knew this was there..

[@cherryvaleleatherock6900]

Kirsten - Thank you so much for making this video. Your guest's description of the lives of the Dune Dwellers' was so moving to me. I was captured by the calmness and beauty of it all. I really felt like I was there with you. The waves, the cool sand on your feet, the sight of the seals and the call of the Atlantic Turns, and the stories about the mice too. :-). A most exceptional man, I think. Very refreshing. I just love your work. Well done. Cathey

[@allpropertyvideosdotcomwit3524]

Cape Cod's Dune Shacks are some the most authentically American buildings that are still with us. Imagine... you there on a crisp late spring morning, your coffee at hand (you had to make it cowboy-style over a stove) and... blissful silence, save for the distant cry of an occasional gull... as you wait for the perfect word to come to you... there it is.

[@404now]

This is a very interesting video and very beautifully done. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this

[@rachelo3548]

Thank you for this! We are planning our first trip to the Cape this fall. I'm really excited to see the beauty. This man is so well spoken and makes some great common sense points on so many subjects!

[@gloriasligh6679]

I've just returned from the Cape Cod Seashore and I am again fascinated with it. I will reread The Outermost House and Cape Cod. There is something magical about this place...the colors of the sky, water and grasses. I have never been a beach lover, but I am a loner and this place draws me in. This is a beautiful video...I can feel the peace and love.

[@steveblake4578]

I knew before watching that this would make me cry and be happy at the same time . Spent many happy days on the cape as a child . thanks .

[@sub222marathon]

The next time someone asks me to provide an example of a person who is well spoken, I'm showing them this. Fascinating piece. Thank you for the upload.

[@Foundinthewoodsbushcraft]

I loved this interview. You always manage to find the most unique, interesting & humble people. This is wonderful.

[@josephinetyree1476]

Absolutly love this lifestyle...Have several pictures that look like the interior of this place !! If only 'we' had ...choices like this ....to live peaceably ...on our own without the 'push/shove/'have too's' ' of modern society!!..Good Job Kristen !!!

[@josephinetyree1476]

@Alexandra McLean I Believe that my anestry...does go back in time just 2 generations ago... : ) Thanks for asking !!

[@jkam2524]

Kirsten this is your best video I've seen yet. How wonderful you have documented this.

[@dbona4445]

I always wanted to know more about the dune shacks. This is really excellent!

[@lydiarowe491]

Cannot imagine our existence not having places like this to escape to..what wonderful custodian of this home in the dunes...a sanctuary for the mind..thankyou for this amazing experience..⭐

[@kathleenwyllie4104]

I love this. I always enjoy your posts, but this one, as many others have said, is special. What an engaging and learned man. Thank you for the treat.

[@mtruman42]

This video was amazing. Last spring my partner and I spent a week at Fowler. Each morning I walked over the top of the dunes to your shack. There was a family of foxes living under the shack (one of the sweetest things I've ever encountered) and we decided to call this "the fox shack". Our week in the dunes was the most amazing time that either of us had spent - either together or alone. Somehow I knew that connections like this would arise as we walked down the road...

[@moebiusdune1115]

I love this episode.Great work Kirsten.

[@lucrtrvl]

What a fantastic place to live in! I love P'town. One of my favorite places in the world! Thank you for the lovely video!

[@capecodislife5104]

P Town is one of the most beautiful places ever!

[@sophiaa.4724]

The outer Cape is gorgeous. Hard to really capture the feel of it on video.

[@capecodislife5104]

Agreed 100%

[@mikewhalen7590]

True! I live in Dennis and when you get to P-town, it just feels different.

[@jimbanda]

@@capecodislife5104 How do they get permission to build those dune houses ??

[@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong]

@@jimbanda Back in the day you just went out yourself and built them. It's part of the National Seashore now so no new construction is allowed, but the shacks that were already there were allowed to stay.

[@jimbanda]

@@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong oh I see , I can just imagine rolling into one of those after a long hot day. Thanks for the info 👏👏

[@Marimilitarybrat]

I love Your description of the social environment that surrounded the creation of the Mayflower compact.I haven't heard the phrase representative democracy since my government classes in junior high school. The fact that I say junior high school certainly does place me in a certain generation. Do you think you could expand on that very brief conversation about the founding of America and spread it around on KZbin? It was lost information.

[@AZ-vt7dt]

Really good piece....Spent a lot of time out there myself. Don't tell anybody, it's one of the best spots ever......if you didn't gather that by the great interview/discussion/treatise.

[@josephinetyree1476]

This just popped up again....on my list ...So wonderful to 're-live' this....Thanks once more....!!!

[@almannone]

Another gem, Kirsten. Thank you.

[@TheDrunkardHu]

beautiful video, thank you for sharing! i could listen to this guy talk all day, :D

[@Gigi714]

Bravo! I so enjoy your amazing finds both in terms of sites and incredibly articulate and insightful local storytellers and dwellers. Thank you for sharing your work!

[@SteveLebeau]

Thank you, K! Beautiful as always.

[@christineumanzio1170]

The color pallette is amazing, it is the real Cape Cod

[@frankie2234]

Really loved it. So articulate.

[@russellcardinal9074]

I love the Cape. This was so cool to stumble upon. I live like this in the Keys.

[@matthewfike4491]

Thank you for making this film.

[@susancezanne5181]

Thank you. I got to "go home" to my beloved Provincelands. I miss living there.

[@jgally74]

I grew up coming to Cape Cod and continue to now bring my own family during summertime. This was an excellent of one of the many naturally beautiful places which will keep me coming back for the rest of time. Excellent video!

[@Helloverlord]

Among a few top videos I've seen on this channel so far.

[@jasonshockley280]

Awesome video. I have driven the dunes with Art's Dune Tours out of Provincetown before, but have never seen an up close and personal account of the shacks themselves. Very well narrated!

[@RaphaelOertel]

Simply beautiful

[@reneecannon1250]

Beautiful lavender over baby blue sky!!

[@DonWilsondigginTimeUSA]

Fantastic interview, of a great person, and a great place.

[@MsSherryjh]

I think this is one of the most beautiful films you've shot. And so interesting.

[@collinshepherd1454]

This may be my favorite view of yours. Thanks for sharing it!

[@christianchadwick7185]

Wow, one of my favorite episodes yet. Thanks Kirsten! Was this pre-scripted or anything? Or is this man just that well-spoken and intuitive? I didn't have a problem listening to his ideologies for nearly 28 minutes as I sometimes would with some of your other videos.

[@kirstendirksen]

It wasn't pre-scripted, Romolo just knows the subject and speaks very well. He also takes the time to be alone and to think (part of his attraction to this place) which I believe helps anyone better formulate their ideas.

[@christianchadwick7185]

Of course, very cool. Thanks again, I look forward to my coffee and eggs every Monday morning, sittin' on the couch and watching your latest.

[@jlricks007]

Christian Chadwick

[@sharonmacmillan2269]

0

[@demolitionwilliams]

Looks like I'm a little late to the party, but I'm so happy to have found your channel none the less! Just when I'm thinking there's nothing else out there to spark my intrigue... I come across a channel like this. So excited to dive in!

[@kirstendirksen]

Thank you Daniel.

[@SheWhoDares07]

Loved this! Thank you!

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

What a passionate, well spoken, and intelligent man. The world today lacks men and women of this caliber. I am humbled by his passion for preservation and protecting a simpler existence. Granted he returns to his modern home. Like him, I wouldn't be able to permanently sustain a live on the dunes. Have you followed up with him since the series of storm that have continued to change the landscape? His shack is so close to the shore. I supposed my number one inquiry for him would be: Are you going to move the shack if the mighty Atlantic comes knocking on the door? Thank you for posting another fantastic episode. Cheers from Seattle!