You're Sure To Fall In Love With Old Cape Cod...

If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air....Yesterday, we spent the day in Cape Cod, specifically Provincetown, MA, at the very tip of Cape Cod Bay. It was rainy, overcast and foggy, but we decided that we had to soldier on so that we see all to be seen in Massachusetts. Provincetown is about 70 miles from Plymouth, where we are staying. Winding roads did beckon us.

A quaint little village is not Provincetown. To our surprise, Provincetown reminded us of a small Key West, but lacking class and warm. The too narrow streets of whaling days have been overrun with cheap junk shops, not the charming artsy shops that we expected. It was kind of honky tonk with the juxtaposition of young families with strollers and the night people of South Beach, if you get my drift. The truth is I wasn't feeling well and felt disappointed and overwhelmed by it all. I wanted to love it, I really did. Mel was enjoying the freak show but I just wasn't that into it.

We found out that people here claim Provincetown as the 1st landing site of the Mayflower. It was at this part of Cape Cod Bay, where the Pilgrims conceived and signed the Mayflower Compact, the document that stands as the first attempt at self-governance in this new land. The Pilgrims spent 5 weeks here before moving onto Plymouth, which proved to be a safe harbor for the vessel and passengers.

Below is the content of the compact:

"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."
"There followed the signatures of 41 of the 102 passengers, 37 of whom were Separatists fleeing religious persecution in Europe. This compact established the first basis in the new world for written laws. Half of the colony failed to survive the first winter, but the remainder lived on and prospered."

Please note that there weren't the thirteen colonies yet; everything was considered Virgina. Above is a photo of a monument in Provincetown, depicting the signing of the compact.
Above is a photo of Pilgrims Monument in the fog. The monument dominates the Provincetown landscape. If you are lost, just look for it. Supposedly, on a clear day, you can see the Boston skyline. Today was not that kind of day. This monument is a replica of one in Siena, Italy and was built in 1910 to commemorate the hardships of the Pilgrims and European migration to these shores.

As we drove along the coast, small cabins were available for rent on the beach. Now, these are what we call cottages.

While we were in Provincetown, I became ill with an undiagnosed ailment. I got dizzy (I know who can tell the difference), achy and headachy. So, we ended our walkabout and returned driving along 6A, so we could take in many of the coastal towns that dot the Cape. When we reached the RV, I went to bed for a nap, hoping that my symptoms would subside, but no, I have some kind of virus and am hoping that I do not end up with a sinus infection. I was like a limp rag this morning so I slept in. At noon, I showered, hoping to perk up a bit.

We decided to take in a movie, The Devil Wears Prada, a non-event movie. It is cute enough to be a rental, but it won't stack up to Superman Returns. I feel bad that we didn't like it more because the actors are impressive and the clothes beautiful. I think we had too high of expectations for this movie, but it could have been better. I guess I just don't understand the life style of fashion, even though I do enjoy looking at great clothes, but there are so many important things that need to be done in this world and it all seems so petty and superficial. Mel hit it on the head as usual, "It wanted to be a comedy, but took itself too seriously." I read that the movie is an homage to the American working woman and I do agree in that respect.

After the movie, we had a small supper at Uno's again. No pizza this time. Just wanted regular simple food. Then, Mel, still trying to keep me jolly, drove into Plymouth, which we haven't done. It was so charming and more of what I had expected of Cape Cod. But, I can't judge the Cape to harshly, the weather was awful and I didn't feel well. We'll give it another chance later this week.

Upon seeing Plymouth, we have decided to spend the day there tomorrow as there are many great looking restaurants and lots to see and walk about. Hope I am 100 percent!

Sorry, if this is disjointed. Contribute it to my on, then off again, fever spikes. Really though, I have been awake since noon and really am feeling so much better. Hopefully, it was one of those 24 hour things. We have too much fun to look forward to this holiday weekend to be sick.