"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

Happy as a Ptown Clam

I never thought I'd enjoy scratching for clams, but...well, I was wrong. I am in Cape Cod after all, and, when in Rome...

Nancyann

Scratching for clams

Halfway there

Clamming is just one of the many winter activities in Provincetown if you're not too busy attending popular social events, catching up on your reading or lighting a bonfire on the beach. 

John and Nancyann

Low tide at Breakwater

Whether you're a visitor or a Provincetown resident you can easily acquire a shellfish license at Town Clerk's Office, which is good for the entire season (November through March that is). 

Low tide at Breakwater

A good friend of mine gave me some Clamming 101 lessons and I was ready to go. She was also kind enough to lend me the gear: a bucket, a rake with long prongs, rubber boots and advice on where "hotspots" might be. 

Sunshine over the Moors

This year clamming takes place near the Breakwater, right at the very West end of Commercial Street, and it is only allowed on Fridays and Sundays (for obvious reasons given the popularity of this activity) when tides are low. 

Beautiful day for clamming

"Why should I acquire a license and go clamming?" you may ask. Here are just a few good reasons: it is fun, you're spending time outdoors exercising (trust me, clamming is a good workout), you get to eat fresh clams for dinner, you get to see some of your friends who you haven't seen in months, and last but not least, the scenery is gorgeous. And I have pictures to prove it...

John and Nancyann

Two hours and a bucketful later I had met my daily quota and I was happy as a Ptown clam.

Provincetown: Cape Cod’s Best Day Out

recommended by Cathy Winston

via TheTravelEditor.com

  ZaNiaC/Flickr

It’s rare that a destination can bill itself as gay-friendly, uniquely historic, a protected nature reserve, and perfect for art connoisseurs, lobster lovers and anyone who fancies a browse by the seaside. But that’s just what makes Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod the perfect day trip for anyone staying in Boston or on the peninsula.


The site of the Pilgrims’ first landing in America – they didn’t head to Plymouth and its rock for several weeks, as the locals are keen to remind you – it’s a small resort, all focused around Commercial street and the seafront, and closes down almost completely during the winter months.


But when the sun’s shining, it’s the perfect New England day out. Start by exploring the protected sand dunes along the ocean with Art’s Dune Tours, all wild cranberries, waving grasses and endless dunes. The fragile habitat means you can’t simply head off on your own, but taking a ride with Rob Costa who runs the tours, or any of the company’s guides, means you’ll get a brief taste of the area’s history as well as discovering the natural beauties.


Then climb the 252ft Pilgrim monument, attached to a small museum tracing the history of the area from the original settlers to the first European inhabitants and more recent times. The ferocious-looking Narwhal tusk is one of the stand-out exhibits, although it might not appeal to anyone who’s not a fan of taxidermy.


The granite monument itself isn’t too exhausting as the 116 steps are broken up by 60 gently sloping ramps, as well as carved names on the walls if you do need an excuse to catch your breath. Then enjoy the views out across the white clapboard houses to the boats in harbour and the fields inland, before heading back down.


But once you’ve ticked off a bit of history, devote the rest of your time to strolling along Commercial Street, which is crammed with souvenir shops, art galleries and a substantial number of boutiques selling pet paraphernalia. Stop to check out the vintage-style jewellery at Sparks – but don’t try to stroke the cat – and watching the colourful inhabitants who live, work and visit.


Then refuel with saltwater taffy, and a demonstration of how the sweet’s made, or homemade ice cream for around $4 at Lewis Brothers, before gorging on some of the freshest seafood in Massachusetts at the Lobster Pot.


Fast ferries run from Boston between May and October, with Bay State Cruises and Boston Harbour Cruises both taking around 90 minutes to reach Provincetown, or the Plymouth and Brockton bus line takes just over three hours from the city, via Hyannis.