Outdoor shower season arrives on Cape Cod: Tips to make it the best one ever

Turning on the outdoor shower is the best day on the Cape Cod calendar. It is a joyous rite of spring, like swallows returning to Capistrano or clams plopping into the Fryolator.

Soon, we will cavort on the beaches and be covered in sand like sugar on a doughnut. But our great pal, the outdoor shower will wash it all away, and provide a joyous, Zen-like escape from the madness of the world. Pass the loofah!

Of course, cranking up the shower in spring can be a bit tricky. That's when you might find out that you didn't drain your pipes properly last fall. They cracked, and suddenly water is squirting everywhere like a drunken geyser. Now you have to call the plumber and face the double whammy: shower maintenance shame and a chunky bill.

Turning on and cleaning up

But let's not dwell on these soggy speed bumps. For most folks, turning on the outdoor shower is a breeze, except for that sort of scary part where you have to go down into the basement and open the right valves. Spiders and dim light can lead to complications, and perhaps screaming, but Cape Codders are jerky-tough and often persevere through such cellar challenges.

Now, it's archaeology time. You have to remove the detritus of ancient civilizations from the outdoor shower. These people of yore (you and your family last year), left strange things behind. These include rusty razors, soap slivers, beer cans and peculiar vials of cleansing concoctions. Get rid of 'em and start fresh.

Chances are, you'll also need to sweep out leaves and other natural crud from the shower. Break out the scrub brush and get to work. Slippery mold is no one's friend and you deserve a fresh start to the frothy outdoor shower season.

Tricking out the shower

Each year, I try to add more cool stuff to ramp up the outdoor shower experience. Last year, I bought a waterproof radio, so I could listen to classical music while shampooing. And there's nothing like scrubbing your back while cranking Bach!

I also plant window boxes and pots around the ledges of my outdoor shower. I have experimented with ferns for that rainforest vibe, but tend to favor high-performance flowers like marigolds and zinnias. Nasturtiums are also a good choice, because you can eat the flowers while you shower, a snappy little treat.

For after-dark showering, I have placed a couple of solar-powered flickering lanterns on the shower ledge. They automatically turn on when it gets dark and charge during the day. Talk about romantic!

Making the outdoor commitment

Once the outdoor shower is up and running, it's commitment time. Leave the gunky indoor shower behind until there is frost on your Halloween pumpkin. That means seven or so sweet months of getting sudsy under the sun and stars. You may want to invest in a high-performance bathrobe for those chilly and rainy days.

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Bring all your shower products outdoors, or, what the heck, invest in some new ones. This is your chance to try new fragrances and formulas, stuff like lemon/patchouli body wash or peanut brittle conditioner. I have even experimented with shaving outdoors, but mirror placement can be tricky.

For me, soap choice is easy, thanks to the frothy genius of Sir Andrew Pears. In 1807, Pears perfected the bar that has slipped through history to great acclaim and little residue. It smells great, produces luxurious lather and, perhaps most importantly, doesn't melt quickly in the rain.

Is it OK to drink a beer in the outdoor shower?

In recent years, the topic of outdoor shower beer has been raised by in-the-know Cape Codders. Of course, this is not a good way to start a workday, but it may be worth considering as a weekend evening treat, after a long day of wrestling the heirloom tomato plants.

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Cans are safer than bottles in such an active aquatic environment, and for some reason, lighter lagers seem to taste best. Based on my in-depth research, I recommend Narragansett Lager, Yuengling Light Lager or Jack's Abby Post Shift Pilsner.

How much does it cost to build an outdoor shower on Cape Cod?

This is a tricky question, so I called up my friend Greg, who is in the midst of building an outdoor shower at his house. Greg likes to do things himself and is a skilled craftsman. But there is one problem: "I am wicked, wicked slow," he confessed.

He started the outdoor project in January and figured he had put in nearly 300 hours of work and spent nearly $2000 on materials. He is using mahogany, an expensive but lovely wood.

Greg's shower is working, but it doesn't have a door yet. He's using an old shower curtain for now, which sometimes blows in and sticks to the person under the shower.

He considered buying a premade outdoor shower kit like the ones available at the Cape Cod Shower Kits Company, but wanted to do it himself, although he liked the look of the kits. The kits run from about $1200 to about $1900, and according to their website, can be put together in a matter of hours.

What should you know about buying an outdoor shower kit?

Maybe Greg should have bought the dang kit!

One important thing to remember: the price of the kit doesn't include any plumbing help you might need to get the outdoor shower going. The same would be true if you built your own shower. The plumbing angle can add a significant amount to the total cost. and it probably makes sense to consult with a plumber about the ideal location for the shower.

Are outdoor showers worth it?

The magic is simple: the boring chore of cleanliness is suddenly transformed into a grand adventure, like you've been transported to a waterfall next to a hot spring. The mind can relax and wander into the treetops. Great thoughts can be thought, and bliss rises in the steam.

Plus, you'll keep all that beach sand out of the house.

Sure, someone might steal your towel while you're musing and rinsing, leaving you with a perilous passage back to the house. But it's all good. Once you get your outdoor shower going, it's summer on Cape Cod.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Why do people have outdoor showers on Cape Cod? Tips to have your own.