Paul and I had the month of October off (between sits), so we decided to spend more time in P-town before heading south. We found a perfect little apartment across from Carpe Diem on Johnson Street and rented it without thinking twice.
I loved this spot because to me, it felt like I had stepped back into the land of Anne of Green Gables, but with the Atlantic down the stairs and to the left. Not to mention Commercial Street. Thank you, David, for a wonderful month in your home sweet home!
One thing Paul and I both wanted to do was spend more time exploring the Cape Cod National Seashore. I fell in love with the Seashore while reading Joan Anderson’s books, and then the book Master of the Sweet Trade by Elizabeth Moisan, after meeting her at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod.
The Cape Cod National Seashore was established as a National Park almost fifty years ago. It is the most pristine stretch of shoreline either of us have ever seen.
There are eighteen remaining dune shacks along the Cape Cod National Seashore. It is a bit of a hike to get to them. I suggest you leave your shoes at the beginning of the trail (which is all sand) and bring plenty of drinking water. There is a vehicle tour available if you prefer, but to be fair to all of your senses I say hike it.
The dune shacks started out as homes for rescuers employed by the U.S. Life-saving Service in the 19th century. If you are fortunate enough to spend some time here (temporary tenants are chosen by lottery), you will be joining the likes of Eugene O’Neil, Jack Kerouac, e.e. cummings, Norman Mailer and Jackson Pollack.
Of course, I would love to spend more time here. There is a bit of controversy surrounding the shacks and their (in my opinion) rightful owners…thankfully they are on the National Register of Historic Places. If I understand this correctly, this means they cannot be bulldozed. Dear Powers That Be, please don’t bulldoze any more shacks. And please don’t take this magical place away from those who have owned and loved these shacks for decades, if not generations. Thanks.
Meanwhile, back on Commercial Street…would you believe I had the luck to be in P-town during Women’s Week? No, I am not a lesbian, but nobody seemed to mind. There were tons of events going on.
It was such a pleasure to see Sophie B. Hawkins live. After the show, I was lucky enough to chat with her a bit, buy a CD, and take pics of others with her. Yes, I wish I had asked Paul to take a pic of me with her…don’t normally care about that kind of thing but I do LOVE her and now wish I had a pic!
Every day during Women’s Week, there were readings and Q&A sessions at Vixen Night Club, followed by book signings at Now Voyager Bookstore and Gallery. What a great group of women authors! I purchased a couple of books and look forward to reading them now that we have settled in for the winter here on Signal Mountain (TN). Thank you, Bold Strokes for putting on this great event!
Well. Here I am, once more realizing that I am going on and on. Apparently one isn’t to go on and on here in Blogsville…something about the waning attention span of the average reader. That’s fine, because it is just about dinnertime.
Thank you for hanging out with me….I blog for comments, so feel free to leave one. As an added bonus, each comment you leave between now and December 1, 2010 enters you into my latest prize drawing : )
I have never heard of the Cape Cod Cultural Center and I have been living here for 13 years…I had to follow the link and see what it is. I like to see how you took advantage of what was offered around you..Thanks for the honorable mention….David
We miss P-town, David! Your apartment was our perfect little getaway place : ) I am going to have to go harass you on fb as it has been a while since we caught up. Hope you are enjoying a quiet, relaxing Holiday Season now that the tourists have disbursed! XOX
As a Bold Strokes Author – thank you for your kind words. Women’s Week is always such a fun time and it’s always great to meet new readers.
Thanks again,
MJ Williamz
Thank you for stopping by my blog (this is so much fun!). I missed you in P-town (didn’t make it to all of the readings) but I am going to have to check out your book Shots Fired at http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com now : )
I would LOVE to stay in those dune houses, like permanently! I hope I remember them if we ever make a trip out there.
I promise that if and when you decide to visit Cape Cod, I will be sure to remind you of the dune shacks…I do believe it would be love at first sight for you, my kindred friend.
So what books did you buy ? It was a terrific week – Were you there for the NorEaster Friday thru Saturday?
Elaine
I bought Long Shot by D. Jackson Leigh and The Pleasure Set by Lisa Girolami. It was really hard to decide, as I heard several authors read throughout the week and was impressed and delighted by them all. I have a total book addiction and am trying to read what I buy before buying more books : ) We were there for the entire month of October – the storms were wonderful. P-town has become a special place for us. Thank you for your comment, Elaine. So sorry for the delay…experiencing some technical difficulties at present…