7 I OUT OF THE LAB ^ 167 



the elevated rocks there provide one of the truly spectacular and uninter- 

 rupted views toward the west. Walking home along the narrow unlit road at 

 night takes some courage and agility but can be executed successfully. 



Bicycling and running have largely replaced walking for many, of 

 course. Isabel Morgan Mountain conjures the image of six Morgans stream- 

 ing down the hill on their six bicycles in the early part of the century. And 

 over the years many people have encountered the question, what to do with 

 those bicycles during the year when they return to their other home. At 

 various times bicycles have probably spent the winter stashed in most 

 Woods Hole garages and storage sheds. 



Although there do not seem to be quite so many sweat-soaked runners 

 as there were a few years ago, the streets and bike path do boast a healthy 

 number. Many are training for the famous Falmouth Road Race, which 

 occurs every August. In its first years the race occurred at noon on a 

 Sunday. But the increasing thousands of competitors and doctors' warnings 

 about the effects of running in the beastly heat and humidity, which 

 occasionally do occur, moved the time to earlier in the day. The race, 

 which begins in Woods Hole, winds past the Nobska lighthouse and along 

 the beach; and ends in Falmouth^ is quite an event. 



Fourtfi. ofji^y, Diving, and Sports 



The Fourth of July parade is also an event, sort of Hardly a fancy parade in 

 the traditional sense, this annual stroll down Main Street is more a mean- 

 dering than the patriotic exhibition typical of most small towns. Everyone 

 can join in, and many do. People dress up in all sorts of outlandish outfits. 

 Then the parade just peters out: no fancy reviewing stand; no dignitaries to 

 watch and bow or raise their hats appropriately. Just some good old fun 

 reminiscent of a different era, and maybe some watermelon or other 

 refreshments afterward. Sometimes boats also get decked out like they 

 used to. 



The Fourth of July used to include diving contests, and Isabel Conklin 

 recalls one particularly exciting year. All year the dock had a lot of fishing 

 and diving going on, with diving practice from the bridge as well. But that 

 Fourth of July one of the women, a very good swimmer, shocked the crowd. 

 She had on a proper bathing dress, of course, complete with the requisite 

 sleeves and ruffles. Then as she prepared to dive, she suddenly pulled off 

 her suit. Underneath she had on body tights, or what were in those days 

 called "Annette Kellermans." 



Years later, when a visitor revisited Woods Hole after a long absence, 

 his hosts took him all around the labs, the Mess, and the other various 

 buildings, as well as to the beach. Then he was asked what he found most 



