Dunes 101

The weather's been really good to us this winter here at Land's End. We've had more sunny days than ever before and little rain and snow. If you love the outdoors like I do, a walk at the sand dunes can be a real delight, both in season and off-season. 

Wanderer over a Sea of Sand

My friend and I parked the car at Snail Road and started climbing that first big dune, which can be discouraging to some. Once at the top we knew the effort was worthwhile.  

Where the Sands meet the Skies

The magical scenery, which consisted of natural vegetation, turquoise skies, golden sands and solitary dune shacks was breathtaking and gave us a feeling of awe, perfection and accomplishment. 

Vegetation at the Dunes

It's only a one-hour walk to where the sands meet the ocean and back, but the experience is priceless. The hike is great exercise and you're surrounded by fresh air and Mother Nature at its best. 

Converging footsteps

I strongly recommend it when it's nice and sunny. 
Good hike!   

"Lesson learned in Provincetown"

Lesson Learned in Provincetown

There's snow tonight in Provincetown

The benches so empty.

Commercial Street without a soul

So peaceful by the sea.

The winter's cold the people scarce

Some gone to warmer shores

The opposite of summer days

Few restaurants, few stores

Remembering when I was young

I'd come with family

As soon as we were old enough

My sister, friends and me.

This town would always speak to us

So softly we would hear

"In Provincetown we welcome all

There is no need to fear"

I've always felt so out of place

When here, can just be me

This town has taught me kindness, love

This jewel by the sea.

Poem by Barb, New Jersey

Provincetown: "Best Resort Town" Award on Gaycities.com

Provincetown, MA was voted "Best Resort Town in 2011" by Gaycities.com readers. This is a great honor for Provincetown and the award comes after the US Census declared Provincetown "the gayest city in America," also in 2011. 

Provincetown: "Best Resort Town"

"It's no surprise to me that our members voted to make Provincetown the Best Resort Town 2011," said Scott Gatz, Gaycities.com CEO. "Just one look at GayCities guide to P'town and you'll see it's got everything you'd want for your escape: great food, great beaches and a great social scene," he added. 

www.GayCities.com

Provincetown won 28% of the total votes, whereas Palm Springs, the runner-up, received 24 percent. Sitges, Saugatuck and Rehoboth Beach followed with 18, 8 and 6 percent, respectively. 


"Members from all over the world casted tens of thousands of votes for their favorite towns. Provincetown and Palm Springs were neck and neck up til the very end. Both places offer a great escape for the traveler (and nearby locals) and are incredibly welcoming to the gay community. Our members were asked to choose their favorite resort town, and the results show just how loyal folks are to P'town," said Gatz. 


Other categories included "best nightlife," "best pride," "best food," "best city," etc. 

The Cape School of Art

Registration is now open for Spring, Summer and Fall Classes with The Cape School of Art in Provincetown

The principles of light and color taught by Charles Hawthorne and Henry Hensche, beginning 1899, continue today. 

You can email the Cape School of art at info@capeschoolofart.com or call 508.413.9492.

The Cape School of Art, since 1899

Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend 2012

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., ptown.org

Entertainment

Atlantic House, 4-6 Masonic Place - open year round, Little Bar at noon daily, Dance Club 10pm. For more information visit www.ahouse.com

Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial Street - Wave Bar and The Vault is open Friday through Sunday. Sunday January 16th PATRIOTS vs Jets football at the Wave Bar 4:30pm with beer drinks specials! For more information visitwww.onlyatthecrown.com

Porchside Bar at the Gifford House, 9 Carver Street - Open daily 5pm to 1am. For more information visit www.giffordhouse.com

Shipwreck Lounge, 8 Carver Street at The Brass Key, 508-487-9005 or visitwww.ptownlounge.com.
A whole weekend of parties starting at 6pm to close.
1/14 - I Have a Dream Party
1/15 - You Have a Dream Party
1/16 - We Have a Dream Party

Dining

Special thanks to CelebrateProvincetown.com for compiling and providing the list of open dining establishments (schedules do change so please call ahead to confirm that the restaurant is open at the time you wish to visit):

BreakfastFar Land Provisions, 150 Bradford Street, 7 days a week - (508) 487-0045,www.farlandprovisions.com
Purple Feather Cafe, 334 Commercial Street, Saturday and Sunday - (508) 487-9100, www.thepurplefeather.com
LunchFanizzis, 539 Commercial Street, 7 days a week - (508) 487-1964,www.fanizzisrestaurant.com
Far Land Provisions, 150 Bradford Street, 7 days a week - (508) 487-0045,www.farlandprovisions.com
Napi's, 7 Freeman Street, 7 days a week - (508) 487-1145, www.napis-restaurant.com
Purple Feather Cafe, 334 Commercial Street, Saturday and Sunday - (508) 487-9100, www.thepurplefeather.com
DinnerBistro at Crowne Pointe, 82 Bradford Street, WED-SUN, closed M & Tu. - (508) 487-2365, www.provincetown-restaurant.com
Ciro & Sal's, 4 Kiley Court, FRI-SUN, 5:30pm - (508) 487-6444,www.ciroandsals.com
Fanizzis, 539 Commercial Street, 7 days a week - (508) 487-1964,www.fanizzisrestaurant.com
Mews Restaurant & Cafe, 429 Commercial Street, 7 days a week - (508) 487-1500, www.mews.com
Napi's, 7 days a week (508) 487-1145, www.napis-restaurant.com
Waterford Cafe, WED-SUN, closed M & Tu. - (508) 487-6400,www.thewaterfordinn.com

Shopping Specials & Activities

Schedules do change so please call ahead to confirm that the business is open at the time you wish to visit:

Hersheldon's Leather, 317 Commercial St, (508) 487-9046
Open year round, 7 days a week 11am-4pm. Call 508-487-9046 for exact hours. Selected coats 50% off. Selected footwear 50% off. Sales last year round while merchandise lasts. Largest footwear selection you have ever seen.

Provincetown Art Association and Museum, 460 Commercial St, Call 508-487-1750 or visit www.paam.org for information on exhibits.
Open year round - Thursday to Sunday Noon to 5pm including holiday Mondays.

Wired Puppy, 379 Comercial St

Open daily. Offers all Organic Direct Trade Specialty Coffees and Teas and a wide range of Wired Puppy accessories, all in a comfortable environment complete with great music, free WiFi and free computer use.  Come on by for a delicious espresso beverage decorated with the Barista's own latte art creation - you'll be amazed!

Lodging

Prince Albert Guest House, 164-166 Commercial St
Prince Albert Guest House is offering "Stay two nights, get the third for 50% off" between November 1st and May 15th, subject to availability and holidays may be excluded". 508-487-1850 or visit www.princealbertguesthouse.com.

Christopher's by the Bay, 8 Johnson Street
Winter Escape to Beautiful Provincetown! Reserve now! Now until March 31, 2011, stay 3 consecutive nights and get the third night half off! Enter code "WINTER ESCAPE" online or via phone when making your reservation. Park the car and spend some time in beautiful Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod. Walk to beaches, curl up with a good book by the fireplace, hiking, shopping, art galleries and fantastic restaurants - just some of the fun you can have! Excludes holidays and special events. Subject to availability. Rooms start at $75 per night. 508-487-9263 or visit www.christophersbythebay.com.

Fairbanks Inn, 90 Bradford Street
Winter Special, now through March 17th. Stay three consecutive nights, get 50% off the third night! Rates range from $100/night to $169/night, subject to availability. 800-324-7265 or visit www.fairbanksinn.com.

The Gifford House Inn, 9 Carver St.
Low off season rates. www.giffordhouse.com. 508 487-0688.

The Red Inn, 15 Commercial St.

SPECIAL RATES FOR THESE HOLIDAYS RANGE BETWEEN, $150 TO $285** per night plus tax, Make it a long weekend with ½ off the third night!!
(**Additional discount for groups, ask upon booking.)

Included in your room rate is our extended continental breakfast, a cold cut and soup bar for lunch and a wine and cheese hour in the early evening www.redinn.com. 508 487-7334.

Watership inn, 7 Winthrop St
Need a winter getaway? Join us in front of our wood burning fireplace and take advantage of our low winter rates from $50-$135 per night before discount. Stay 2 nights and get 20% off or stay 3 nights and the third is FREE! Ideally located on a quiet side street, yet walking distance to all there is to see and do in Provincetown. Parking, breakfast and wi-fi included. 800-330-9413 or visit www.WatershipInn.com.

Notes from Land's End: Jan. 3

2012 Predictions

By Laura Shabott
January 3rd, 2012 


2012. Here it is: The year that Mayans, Seekers, Spiritualists, Naysayers and Nostradamus groupies all say is the end of the world.


What-ev-er. Negative thinking is, just, so last year.


Here are my positively divine predictions for Provincetown in 2012:


1. Record numbers will attend Jay Critchley’s eclectically cleansing 29th Re-rooters Day Ceremony on Saturday, January 7th, at 4pm across from the Harbor Hotel along the beach on Route 6A. If you’ve never attended, this remarkable ritual allows attendees to throw something onto a raft with a burning Christmas tree, as a symbol of letting go, and watch it go out to sea. Free and freeing! Also, the creator of the Swim for Life, this diverse conceptual artist is an icon.

2. Winter locals will actually leave their houses after dark and go to a free (or very inexpensive) movie. There are wonderful film series at the PAAM, Provincetown Library, Harbor Hotel’s Whalers Loungeand vintage black and white film collector Brad Moore’s Benefit at WOMR. The Provincetown Film Society has a robust schedule of year-round cinema at Whalers Wharf as it fundraises to renovate the space and prepare for PIFF 2012. 


3. A huge growth in last-minute bookings in travel and hospitality. This Tourism Industry Blog prediction bodes well for Provincetown. With its accommodating nature and accessibility by plane, ferry and car, day trippers and urban dwellers seeking the beach can wake up in the morning, decide to visit and be having lunch along Commercial Street by Noon. Expect a marked increase in walk-in guests with spontaneity being a vacation trend for 2012. 
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