The "dune" books -

Dog in the Dunes: Revisited by Barbara E. Cohen
The Salt House: A Summer on the Dunes of Cape Cod by Cynthia Huntington
Dune Shacks - Paintings by David Forest Thompson

http://www.stevekatzgallery.com/quoted/adogwill.html

Fell in love with Steve Katz' work - as well as other art in his galleries. Bought things for myself and as gifts. Love his Polaroid transfer technique - greeting cards appearing in non-Hallmark stores nationwide - at least according to Herb.

Walked sections I'd not walked before. On a whim, stopped in and had a haircut at Salon 54. Turns out Rick knew some folks I know that moved there from NYC a few years ago. Some laughter, a bit of gossip and a great haircut - felt a bit like being at home.

Visited the UMC before I headed off cape. Enjoyed the open, casual sanctuary, the message and the people. Rick told the minister I may be coming and was surprised at the greeting - he was expecting me. Nice folks. Really enjoyed the service.

Walking Commercial Street - I swear, there is nothing I can think of I enjoy more. ALL types of people. Straight. Gay. Mixed race couples. More strollers than usual because it was Family Pride weekend. Drag queens handing out cards promoting the night's shows and laughing and posing for photos. The cast of Naked Boys Singing doing the same. Street perfomers and musicians. Folks sitting at City Hall and benches everywhere, relaxing, eating ice cream, watching the parade and enjoying the free music.

Shows - I just love shows. Shows in NYC. Its the reason I would go to Vegas. Love the shows in Vegas. Made the wrong choice at 7pm (comedian), had dinner and then a great show at 10. If you get the chance, go see Miss Richfield 1981. I haven't laughed so much in years. The audience was a great cross-section - same as the street. Grandmother and 14 year old granddaughter sat in front of me. I just love the mix of people visiting Ptown.

Ellie - strolling back after dinner I thought I heard Frank Sinatra. I soon neared Ellie - walking down the street, singing into her mic, and pulling the sound system in a wagon. There was a sign saying she was living her dream after 70 years. A bit of googling = Ellie lived most of her life as Eliot. Great singer. Great spirit. She put a bigger smile on my face.

Solo, but not alone.
As I drove onto the cape, my friend Dan called asking me to be on the lookout for beach plum jelly for him.
Walking the streets on Saturday, I got a call from the crew having a whitewater rafting party in the mountains (and staying at my place) and texting the friend whose family may be selling their place on the cape.
On the dune tour I sat with a woman who had a home on my favorite mountain lake. It was a bit strange to be talking about "home" while on the tour.
Enjoyed talking with Herb in the gallery on Friday night and he greeted me as I returned on Saturday. As we chatted and I browsed "Georgia on my Mind" came on. Another woo-woo.
Stopped on impulse for a haircut - and Rick knew a couple of people I knew and we chatted the entire time about a variety of topics.
Greeted (and expected) at the Methodist church on Sunday.
Chatted with the other B&B guests including a SCAD graduate who spent 6 years in Savannah.

Not all rosy. A few things - but with silver linings.

I was looking forward to lunch at the Portuguese Bakery. My $10.74 lunch was rung up as a $14.74 charge. When I brought it to his attention, he gave me $4 in case back from the register. Mistake? Deliberate? When I asked for directions to the restroom, he gave me directions to the outside public bathroom. I thought it was a law that a business that served food had to provide a restroom. Maybe just in my state. Anyway, I asked for a refund - and he gave it to me as cash.

Silver lining - a great grinder
Walked down the street to George's. I'd read about "grinders" before on this forum, but never had one. Enjoyed a delicious roast beef grinder - and a Ptown lemonade. No problems in the world.

Ate on the patio overlooking the beach and the water - and the deck of a restaurant where a group of us shared a wonderful evening years ago. I just smiled. Serendipity. I would not have recognized the place because the name and decor had changed.

That night, when the Lobster Pot was way too busy - even in the bar - I went back to the rediscovered restaurant and had a delicious seafood tortellini under a full moon and water view.

I discovered Brian Andreas' artwork on my first trip to Ptown and bought my first print and first sculptures there. Was excited to climb the stairs to Monty's to pick out this trip's souvenirs. Picked out 5 prints I liked and asked for a pen to jot down the names. I planned to muse over them and decide which two to my. The man (Monty?) was just rude. Burst my bubble of excitement. I didn't want to spend my money in his store anymore.

Silver lining - spent my money on a new discovery instead - Steve Katz

I had my cards read for the first time in Ptown. Didn't "believe" in it, but had time to kill. Absolutely amazing. I didn't think anything matched up - and within two months, everything matched up. Decided to do it again. Just did not like the guy. He was pushing to sell additional services even after I stated what I wanted. After a few minutes, I told him that it just didn't feel right.

Silver lining - two doors down was a store selling the Croc sandals - and bought the chocolate/ cotton candy sandals that someone on this forum raved about.

I'm a firm believer in walking out when things don't feel right. Invariably, there is a silver lining / something better waiting around the corner.

I spent my younger years going to P=Town but now it's too expensive for us. I think Race Point is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
I'm so glad you got to meet Mikki, she is a doll!!!! I love drinking at the top of Pepe's Wharf watching all the guys on their sunfishes.

Shared baths - or my weekend as Anne in the Green Gables
It's hard to find a place that will book only 2 nights in season. A friend offered the keys and security code to her big house with pool in Truro - but I don't really like staying in someone's house when they aren't there (never mind that friends were in my mountain place over the weekend So, it was a B&B with shared baths for the weekend.

I've always booked en suite but after reading comments on the Europe board that we (Americans) have a problem sharing baths, I decided to reach out of my comfort zone and try the shared bath toute. Actually, it worked out just great. Two baths shared by four rooms on my floor. Never were both baths occupied at the same time. I woke up earlier than the other folks, but there was no problem at all. I may consider it in Europe. MAY conider it.

I do like staying at B&Bs that aren't too fussy. Chatting at breakfast. Relaxing in the afternoons on the porch - and trying to grab an internet signal for a few minutes of email and Fodors.

It was a bit strange to be in a village with everyone living so CLOSE to one another. I'm just used to wide open spaces.

Oh, the Anne reference. My little twin room was a LITTLE twin room. Floral wallpaper. Simple furnishings. I felt like Anne sleeping under the eaves of Green Gables. Couldn't pick up Harry Potter while I was there - just didn't seem right somehow.

Oh, and no a/c. I forgot. Not so unusual "up north". When I walked in on Friday night, I thought I'd never be able to fall asleep in such a hot room. Turned on the window fan. Was asleep in 5 minutes - and woke up in the morning with the blanket over me. Still not sure I could book a room without a/c in Paris though.

Ah, Mimi! I really enjoyed meeting Miki - and she's a big fan of yours.

Perfect timing - heading off cape
I was a bit obsessed about how much time I needed to allow for getting off the cape. But, I did call Miki and arranged to meet at Baxter's in Hyannis. What a treat!

A short detour in the Dennis area to check out a friend's family place that may or may not be up for sale soon and then on to meet Miki again. She saw my bright yellow car coming . I'm so glad she invited me to join her for lunch. We were able to grab a seat on the deck of Baxter's and enjoy the comings and goings of the Hyannis harbor, boats tying up to grab some great food and watching and listening to the ferries come in and out. Great location. Great food (got my lobster roll of the weekend). Great company.

I just love being a citizen of Fodorville and have enjoyed meeting a variety of Fodorites. Both improve the travel experience immeasurably.

Hey starrsville, I love your report! I need to get up to Ptown. I remember seeing Ellie. It's good to see where I live through other's eyes. You really did have a Six Degrees of Separation visit. Pretty amazing. And I love your silver lining/something better belief. It really works if you trust in it.

Come back soon

Public restroom issue: in Massachusetts only establishments with more than 20 seats must provide toilets. This is sometimes an issue in the North End in Boston, but they will send you to another place nearby with which they have an arrangement.

Great report,Starrsville! It sounds like a wonderful weekend-and gave me a couple of new ideas!1 love Art's dune tours,and when friends come to visit, it is one of our "must do's".
I enjoyed meeting you so much-just wish I'd had more time to walk the beach with you both. enjoyed the wine and goodies though! We were at Babe's, in North Truro on the Saturday night. Yummy food, -a Mediterrean Bistro,very laid back-for next time.
Company had arrived when I got back home, so it was good I left early!
Definitely won't be my last GTG!
Pattie

I enjoyed it too, Pattie! I drove past Babe's so I know how to find it next time. And, I found out why my Truro friend wasn't on the Cape - but that's a whole different story!

I forgot! The Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory tour!!! It is a simple walk-through "tour" and could be done in a minute or so if you walked quickly. It was a great bathroom and leg stretch break for me. And, because I'm fascinated with factories I stopped and watched a whole batch process. Watched the potatoes being spit out of a conveyor up high. Watched the paddle move back and forth in the fryer. Near the end, the potato chips were popping at the surface of the oil like fish going after feed . They the chips are lifted up on a conveyer belt and then up and up and cooled and separated and then on to the bagging and shipping room. I really enjoyed it. I imagine others would say "big whoop!". I also bought a neat deep canvas bucket bag because I find they are PERFECT as airplane bags. My usual tote will fit inside and then I can top with purse and reading material...and I'm all set for the flight.

We don't have the veggie chips in my neck of the woods so I bought a bag of those too. They were my snack during me weekend when I got the munchies - and my appetizer along with my Cheeky Chic white wine I bought at the market in town. What could be better? Chips and wine (yeah, chips and champagne - but it goes flat).

If you like factories and/or need a break driving onto the Cape, I recommend the tour (near the Hyannis airport).

topping for nelsonian

Thanks Starrs. Reading it now.

nelsonian, I think you are planning to head to Boston on Saturday but if you stay in Ptown here's the place I stayed. I had the tiny room but the other rooms were much bigger -
http://www.heritageh.com/Heritage_House/Photos.html#27
It's a moderate but comfortable place to stay.

starrs, I just read this again. I can't believe that was in '07!
Any plans to come to the Cape this summer?

I can't either! It doesn't seem that long ago.

Not really, BUT... after reading nelsonian's posts I got the bug again. I'm trying to decide if I should come for even just a long weekend after a NYC trip in August. If I do, it would be the weekend of August 18th. If not, maybe in the fall.

my goodness, five years ago??
Babe's is no more-but do come, and make a reservation at least two weeks in advance at either Ten Tables in P town, or PB's Boulangerie and Bistro in Wellfleet.
Lots of new things to do this end of the Cape this year.
Hope to see you- would be fun to get together once again.

starrs, if you decide to come I would love to see you again. Please keep us posted.