A Lovely Sight I Almost Missed...

I was surprised to find this splendid Monarch butterfly on Bradford Street

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Hurrying to beat the clock on Saturday afternoon, I was headed for the farmers market before they closed. On the way there I noticed there was someone ahead of me on the street, bent over with her cell phone out.

She was taking a picture, so as I walked by I looked to see what she had spotted. If I hadn't seen her stopped at the edge of Bradford Street, or had hurried by half a minute later, I would have walked right past this little flower bed, and missed this truly gorgeous butterfly.

Luckily, I didn't let being in a hurry stop me from observing what was there for me, and I took just the tiniest moment to enjoy the lovely sight the planet was offering to anyone paying attention.

It seemed a little odd to find this elegant butterfly in PTown just now, slurping up nectar from flowers freshly budding, just as the chill of this brilliant autumn weather has us all digging out our woolly socks and sweaters once again, but still not quite ready to pack away our shorts and sandals.

And whadda ya know? Amid these new flower buds there stood a daffodil (at this time of year!?!) that I almost missed, because it was exactly the same sunny yellow color as these mums that surrounded it.

Every day, Provincetown presents us with hundreds of jewels large and small, scattered all through the town by the fistfuls. Watch for them out on the beaches, or right on the streets. Stop and smell the roses, as it were. Listen for the sounds of hundreds of bird species stopping here on their migrations, bringing us new bird calls you may never have heard before. Taste a wild cranberry while you're biking/hiking/strolling through the low spots in the forests and dunes...

There are a couple of gazillion ways to find a little treat for yourself on any day spent in Provincetown, whether you come upon a stirring sight, have a little taste of something wild, catch a captivating scent wafting by, happen into an encounter with the myriad wildlife surrounding us... or stumble across a butterfly and a daffodil showing up way out of season.

Any or all of these can be yours any day here, simply for paying attention. 

Bike Around Provincetown in the Calm of the Autumn Season

Even though they had a car, Aaron and David  rented bicycles while in PTown.

 

The other day I met two men who were on a quick, mini vacation in Provincetown, packing in as much as they could in a brief trip. David has been visiting us for about 20 years, while this is Aaron’s first time here, so David had all kinds of things he wanted Aaron to see, and do, and taste.
They made the rounds over the short time they had to spend here, having escaped Los Angeles for a very quick trip. They had a car at their disposal while here, but decided to rent bicycles, for the ease of getting around by bike to spots they wanted to visit, and for the sheer enjoyment of pedaling their way from one end of town to the other in this dazzling weather we’re having.

They drove up to Provincetown Bike Rentals (which is just finishing its new parking lot for their customers,) rented a couple of beautiful new bikes, and drove off with them! Ah, but there was method to their madness…They drove to the Far West End of Provincetown (perhaps they were staying somewhere in that neighborhood,) and that’s where their adventure began.

The Breakwater is among PTown's most popular walking spots.

They started out at the Breakwater, the famous granite jetty in the Far West End, hiking the mile-and-a-quarter length of it across the harbor and wetlands out to the shifting sands of Long Point, and that fabulous view.
Once back on terra firma following their hike, they biked out into a bit of the lovely Cape Cod National Seashore, past the saltwater pond that rises with the tide, then pedaled up toward the Far East End.
From there, they made stops all around the town. They even spent some time with horses belonging to a friend, visiting Provincetown’s last remaining bit of pasture. They were packing in the adventures on this trip.

On previous visits, David had ridden all of the various spurs that make up nearly eight miles of gorgeous paved bike trails in PTown, but the two decided that on this trip, with their time here limited, that they would concentrate on exploring the town itself, and showing Aaron around.

These two gentlemen covered an impressive area, visiting a good number of spots during their brief stay, and it was all that much easier navigating the town by bicycle rather than on foot or by car. Aaron says he’ll definitely be back, and plans next time to hit the bike trails, which will be waiting for him.

They managed to visit restaurants all around the town as well; again, easier by bicycle. They commented on great meals they had found, particularly several dishes at the Lobster Pot, the huge lobster roll at Bayside Betsy’s, and the Mayflower’s clam chowder, along with their spaghetti and meatballs.

Bradford Natural Market has great food to take out or eat in.

I met them when they sat down at an outdoor table to gobble down a quick lunch at 141 Bradford Natural Market. Aaron loved his authentic Cuban sandwich, served hot off the Panini grill, and David raved about his Thai Peanut Chicken.
I was there picking up a few groceries and having a little something from their daily hot food bar, having lunch on a welcoming bench in front of the market. I was enjoying the glorious sunshine and a meal I hope to have again sometime. The White Beans with Tarragon over Jasmine Rice was soooo good that I’ll be writing about it shortly.

I had seen the guys pedal up to check in their bikes with Mike, who owns Provincetown Bike Rentals, at 136 Bradford Street, right across from the market. Easy as pie, they were in and out in mere moments, and then they dashed across the road for some food, having just an hour left in Provincetown to eat something, pack their stuff, catch the three o’clock ferry to Boston, and then their plane back to LA.

We chatted a bit between delectable mouthfuls, and then they were off, having had a remarkable, whirlwind, mini vacation in Provincetown, made all the better with a fun, convenient bike rental, this gorgeous weather we’ve been having, and some great food throughout the town.

If you’re planning a visit to Provincetown, consider renting a bike to get around. The Bay State Ferry from Boston extended their schedule by an extra couple of weeks or so this year, so there’s still time, if you’re quick, to get here and enjoy this beautiful fall weather and your own adventure, pedaling around PTown in the serenity of the autumn season. Come join us!

My Healthy Snack at Far Land

Just one stuffed shell and some roasted Brussels sprouts made a perfect snack.

The other day I was vaguely hungry in the mid-afternoon hours, but since I had dinner plans with friends, I didn't want to eat too much. It was clearly time for a snack. 
Of course, the first thing I thought of was something a little sweet, perhaps a brownie, muffin, pastry or treat of some sort. I headed over to Far Land Provisions, at 150 Bradford Street, to see what I might find in their goody case that day. Cookies, muffins, torts, tarts, cakes, pies, turnovers, scones, lemon bars, raspberry pecan squares...
A variety of delightful baked goods of every description roll out of Far Land's oven every day, depending on what fresh fruits might be available, and, of course, the whim of the baker. There are always a dozen or two choices of mouthwatering delights to choose from.
So I was all set to indulge my sweet tooth, but when I walked through the door my eye fell upon the cold case of ready-to-eat entrées and side dishes at the deli counter.  That brought to mind Far Land's terrific roasted veggies, and it occurred to me that I could have a snack that would give me some vitamins, instead of heading right for something sweet. I walked over to see what was in the case that day.

Far Land's cold case typically offers at least twenty daily entrées and side dishes
like BBQ chicken, grilled flank steak, roasted veggies, cheese tortellini with pesto,
meatloaf, kale and chickpea salad, mashed potatoes, baked beans, mac & cheese...

I love the marinated, grilled flank steak, which I usually pair with roasted veggies, and maybe mashed potatoes for a nice supper.
The cheese tortellini with basil-pine nut pesto is no slouch, either. The Boston baked beans are excellent. So hard to decide.
I settled on roasted Brussels sprouts and a single stuffed shell, shown above, and had them warmed up so I could eat them there, in the cozy little dining area up front. This snack gave me a bunch of vitamins, minerals and Omega-3 in the sprouts, as well as protein and calcium from the pasta shell stuffed with a ricotta cheese blend, and the tomato sauce on top gave me a little lycopene. Not bad for a pretty healthy, quick snack.
If you've not yet made a meal from this deli case, you owe it to yourself to try it. You can choose how much of these foods you want, pair them any which way, and get them hot or cold, to eat there or take with you. The folks behind the counter are very accommodating, the prices are fair, and you don't have to cook. My snack was just right. It was exactly what I wanted, and it only cost me $4. How can you beat that?
It won't be long now until Far Land is once again serving up their hot sandwiches, and their very popular winter meals, too; something different every day, and there's always a tasty, satisfying, vegetarian option available as well.
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the autumn season, and the maple chili roasted acorn squash. Yum!

Pop + Dutch Earns a 'Best Bite' Award for Their Sensational Chef Salad Sandwich

TheYearRounder bestows a Best Bite award on the innovative
Chef Salad Sandwich, piled high at Pop + Dutch in PTown.

When I walked into Pop + Dutch (say Pop and Dutch) on a rare afternoon off a little while back, starving, I had no idea what I would order. Everything they offer in this eccentric little neighborhood market is top notch. with nearly everything made right there, fresh, from scratch.

They bake their own buttermilk biscuits, along with pies made from fresh, seasonal fruits, and whatever other pastry, goody or dessert that might strike them at any given moment. They roast their own veggies, turkey and beef, too, so all of this keeps the Pop + Dutch oven working at a pretty constant pace, cranking out something tasty all day long.

So they don’t bake all of their own bread, but they do make the focaccia for their Myrna Minkoff sandwich, named for an off-beat fictional character in John Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel A Confederacy of Dunces. The Agent Dale Cooper sandwich is 
house-made turkey breast, with cheddar, smashed avocado, mayo, pickled shallots, tomato and butter lettuce on 7-grain bread. It’s named after the quirky FBI agent who has a nefarious alter ego, and an inordinate fondness for cherry pie, in the outré 1989 TV series Twin Peaks. Beginning to see what I mean by “eccentric,” aren’t you? That's part of the fun of Pop + Dutch. A certain lightheartedness is likely to overtake you upon walking through the door.

Behold the radiant sandwich! (from Pop+Dutch Facebook page)

When I asked what I'd have for lunch that day, co-owner Rebecca first determined that there was, indeed, nothing I don't like. Vegan, vegetarian or whole hog, I'm in. After a moment's thought, she suggested I try the Chef Salad sandwich, and repaired to the kitchen to whip one up for me. Just like it sounds, it brings all of the elements of a chef's salad together in a sandwich.
Tender leaves of butter lettuce, slices of sweet, ripe tomato and hard-boiled egg are layered between Swiss cheese, cheddar, Black Forest ham, and turkey that tastes like Thanksgiving, because at Pop + Dutch, they roast it and carve it right in their own kitchen. Stack all of this on a big, fresh Iggy's brioche roll, add a little ranch mayo dressing, and you've got a dandy of a sandwich. A distinctive taste, along with the superb quality and the inventive use of the ingredients, earned this sandwich a Best Bite award from TheYearRounder, because it was easily the best thing I ate in PTown during that entire week.

Owners Sean and Rebecca refer lovingly to their little market as "a sandwich shop and pint-sized general store" in Provincetown's West End, at 147 Commercial Street, right at the foot of Conant Street. It's in the midst of a little cluster of charming galleries, gift shops and antiques.

As I mentioned, nearly everything in their deli section is made right in their own tiny kitchen, including an unusual, spicy pimento cheese, and jams made from whatever beautiful fresh fruits the seasons bring. Either one can go on a fresh biscuit, right out of the oven, for your breakfast. Get here early; the biscuits sell out.

Fresh produce, bread and dairy, coffee filters, specialty pastas,
olive oil, cookies, crackers, lube… All the basics are here for you.

They get beautiful produce from local farmers any time they can, and they use cage free eggs from farms where the hens are treated well. They treat their customers, and their employees, like treasured friends. In short, their ethics are intact. That's another reason why we love this little shop.
Besides their phenomenal sandwiches, salads, desserts, vegetarian and vegan choices, and gluten-free options, you'll also find basic groceries and a few sundries here as well. 
They stock a small but thoughtful assortment of fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies, treats from local farmers when available, and Iggy's Bread, in Cambridge, brings fresh breads, croissants and sticky buns daily. Milk, eggs and other staples are here, along with a few basic housewares, like retro style enamelware plates, cups and coffee pots, just in case you find your condo a little lacking. And don't forget the lube.
Whether it's a great cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich you need, or just the coffee filters, you'll find them here. Pick up the Sunday paper and some fresh strawberries, or a can of fine Italian tomatoes and a good olive oil, or an award-winning sandwich to take with you to the beach.
If you've not yet discovered this little jewel of a shop, it's worth the stroll to the West End. You'll be happy you found Pop + Dutch.

30th Annual Swim for Life in Provincetown This Weekend

The first weekend after Labor Day always brings the annual Swim for Life to Provincetown Harbor. It's a challenging 1.4 mile swim, in open water, from the lighthouse on Long Point to the shores of the Boatslip Beach Club, on the edge of the harbor in Provincetown's West End neighborhood. Click to read about Swim for Life history. To date, the event has raised some $4 Million for AIDS, women's health and our community. It is perhaps the most joyous outpouring of love, energy and spirit in Provincetown every year. We invite you to join us!

The Celebration of Life is the year's most anticipated concert.
It is perhaps the most uplifting event in PTown every year.

Whether you are a swimmer, a volunteer, or a "cheerleader" on the beach, hooting, hollering and applauding the swimmers as they reach the shore, you'll want to be a part of this. Many people will participate by attending the lovely Celebration of Life on the night before the swim. This marvelous, free concert, produced by John Thomas, will take place at 8 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, at 236 Commercial Street, tonight, Friday, September 8th, 2017. Dozens of performers, singers, musicians and others will definitely raise the spirits of a packed house, so go early to get a seat. The UU is wheelchair accessible.

Swimmers and paddlers will assemble at Long Point Light
for the 11 AM start of Provincetown's annual Swim for Life.

The Swim will begin at 11 AM on Long Point, with boat rides provided to get swimmers to the starting point. Kayakers, paddle boarders and folks in boats will accompany the swimmers safely across the harbor. Click to find out about registering as a swimmer or a volunteer, which happens Saturday morning at the Boatslip. Whether you're a swimmer or are cheering them on, it's exhilarating.

The first swimmer reaches the Boatslip, greeted by a cheering
crowd. The Mermaid Brunch and awards follow on the deck.

The Mermaid Brunch, a free buffet catered by Far Land Provisions, will be held at the Boatslip from noon until 2 PM, with Zoë Lewis and friends entertaining. Around 1 PM, or whenever the last swimmer safely reaches the shore, Swim founder Jay Critchley will lead the awards ceremony for swimmers who have raised the most money in pledges or have participated in the most swims. This is another inspiring event giving all a feeling of community, even those who have joined us from other parts of the world. Many people return to PTown every year to participate in the Swim for Life.

It all started with 18 swimmers raising $6,000.
This photo shows Jay Critchley and Roger Beatty registering two unknown swimmers  at a makeshift desk on the beach in the first Swim, in 1988. 
This year we'll see over 150 volunteers making it happen, and more than 400 swimmers taking the plunge. Come and join us for some or all of these events and be a part of the 30^th, the 2017 Swim for Life and Paddler Flotilla, September 8^th and 9^th in Provincetown!