thervdreamlife

We woke up to a beautiful blue sky and sunshine – yes, you heard me – SUNSHINE! Haven’t seen the sun in many, many days and it really was affecting me – not in a positive way!

Beginning with a delicious breakfast at the Fairway, we were determined to make the most of this magnificent day. The temperature is still only in the 60’s but as long as the sun is shining, we knew it was going to be a great day! After breakfast we hit the Wellfleet Farmer’s Market, which is held every Wednesday morning. The market offered lots of organic produce, grass-fed beef, eggs, hummus, hand-made baskets, soaps, oils, fresh flowers, music, bakery items and more. Actually there is a farmer’s market almost every day of the week here on Cape Cod, in various towns.

So, do you, like most of the universe, believe that the Pilgrims in the Mayflower made their first stop in Plymouth, Massachusetts – thus the Rock? Well, this afternoon we discovered the Pilgrim Monument, located on High Pole Hill in Provincetown. The 252 feet, 7.5 inch granite monument was built from 1907 to 1910 to commemorate the first landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims in Provincetown on November 21, 1620. Yes, they did eventually stop in Plymouth, but it was just one of the Pilgrim’s “exploratory” missions after they had landed in Provincetown!

Some interesting facts regarding the Pilgrim Monument include…

• The tower rises 350 feet above sea level and is the tallest all-granite structure in the US, the granite coming from Stonington, Maine.
• The walk to the top includes 116 steps and 60 ramps – served as our cardio for the day!
  

  
• Along the walk, you see many stones that were donated from cities and organizations all over the country – yes, even from New Jersey!
• President Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone on August 20, 1907 and then President William H. Taft led the dedication ceremony after the Pilgrim Document was completed on August 5, 1910.

The views from the top of the monument were awe-inspiring and especially beautiful on such a clear day. You can basically see the entire Cape, including several of the notable lighthouses along the coast.

Following our trek to the top of the tower, we perused the artifacts in the accompanying museum which were also very interesting. I learned several new vocabulary words like “weir” and “shallop” and witnessed exhibits about the former whaling industry that literally developed Provincetown. It was also enlightening to learn how the city evolved into an artist’s colony of actors, writers, and painters. Did you know that Richard Gere got his start at the Provincetown Theater and that Eugene O’Neill and Norman Mailer spent every summer there creating their best work? Oh, and for those who might be planning a trip, the Pilgrim Monument and Museum welcomes you for free admission every Wednesday from 5pm – 7pm all summer long!

After a wonderful afternoon in Provincetown, we stopped at Moby Dick’s on the way back to Eastham for yet another delicious seafood dinner!

Tomorrow is predicted to be another beauty so we are on our way via ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. Stay tuned!

Stay Calm and Travel On…