Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Where Do I Go First? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

The big question is where do I start from in the book 1000 Places to See? While running a half marathon this past Saturday I came up with many ideas about this blog (your mind tends to wonder while running long distances). This half marathon was called the Race to the Rock in Plymouth, MA and the race finish was at Plymouth Rock. I knew right away what my first blog entry would be, Plymouth Rock.

Plymouth Rock


I get home and thumb through the book and realize Plymouth Rock is not in the book, however Plymouth Plantation at Thanksgiving, is. Well that will have be a future blog post.

So I decided to talk about a place that I have been to many, many times and has a great historical connection to Plymouth, Provincetown, MA

Some who have been to Provincetown may notice a big tower in the middle of the town, but what does that tower represent? Well that is Pilgrim Monument to honor the arrival of the pilgrims on the Mayflower. I bet you did not know that the pilgrims did not first make land in Plymouth, but in Provincetown in 1620.

My family had been going to the cape since I was young and we never went to Provincetown. Maybe because it takes soo long to get there down Route 6. By the way Route 6 starts in Provincetown and stretches 3205 miles to Bishop, California, now that is a long drive.

In my adult life I have been to Provincetown at least a dozen times, including completing a 10K there. I find P-town so accepting.  P-town is one of America's top gay vacation places, and I always feel comfortable there. One of my favorite times that I visited P-town was when I was still living in Florida and my partner and I were visiting Boston.  We took the ferry from Boston to P-town and were there only 90 minutes later.

Arrival in Provincetown
 One could spend the entire day in P-town just visiting all the shops and restaurants down Commercial Street. I just love strolling up and down Commercial Street stopping in t-shirt and souvenir shops, candy stores, coffee shops, and more....

View of Commercial Street from Pilgrim Monument

One of my favorite places to eat is Bayside Betsy's. Betsy's I must say has the best clam chowdah that I have ever had. They have great service and what a nice view of the harbor as well, don't forget to say hello to Betsy herself as she seats you to your table.

You must have the Chowdah at Betsy's

After a fantastic meal find a nice quiet spot up on the hill at Pilgrim Monument in the grassy area right outside the tower sitting in an adirondack chair and enjoy the view. Perhaps take a nap there as well, just as I did, just don't miss the ferry back to Boston.


Nice place to take in a nap
If it is more than a nap that you need, may I suggest the Harbor Hotel. This hotel at first glance looks nothing more than a cheap motel but the Harbor Hotel is far from that. The rooms are modern, but have that retro 1960's Holiday Inn look to them with bright, pastel colors.  If you can get a room with a view of the harbor, what a view to begin and end each day.

Wake up views like this at Harbor Hotel
 I will be going to Provincetown over and over and over again, perhaps towards the end of the month. 

I started off this project with 1000 places to see, so where does that leave me now? Ah yes, 999 places to go...

1 comment:

  1. I love your writing!!! I look forward to more posts, more humor, and more recommendations of places to visit from you! -your Fan :)

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