Provincetown 2026: Day 2 - Varla Jean

 Friday, September 18, 2026

After dinner we attended a performance of  the incomparable Varla Jean Merman. Warren and Gary showed us one of her DVDs a number of years back. She's a hoot. I don't remember the time I've laughed so many times in one evening. She told the story of how she became a performer which was really quite touching. 

She took pictures with audience members after the show so of course we had to indulge. I haven't enjoyed myself that much in a long, long time. 

Costume changes galore. 

Tonight was her last performance in Provincetown of this particular show which she began here on June 12th. So glad we got to see her. 

Provincetown 2026: Day 2 - Front Street Restaurant

 Friday, September 18, 2026

For dinner Warren made reservations at Front Street Restaurant. We all enjoyed cocktails, 

We all enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, and food. It was all fantastic. Dale and I both got the lobster risotto which was divine. 

Provincetown 2026: Day 2 - Pilgrim Museum

 Friday, September 18, 2026

After lunch Dale and I hiked up to the Pilgrim Museum to meet Warren, Gary, Scott, and Milton.

We all took the rail car up the hill to the museum and monument. 

This photo was taken from inside the base of the monument and looks out over the Bay. 

The view was spectacular. I'm sure it would've been even more so had we climbed to the top. The other four made it up there. Dale and I tried but we didn't make it very far up when Dale's vertigo got in the way. I coulda done it but was happy not to since I wasn't thrilled about making the climb. 

While we were waiting for the other four to come back down we met a couple of nice women named Sandy and Glenda who asked if we could take their picture. We were happy to do so and they offered to take ours. I think it turned out nicely. It was lovely chatting with them. The were from North Carolina but were Provincetown veterans and had lots of tips and recommendations for us. 

Provincetown 2026: Day 2 - Houses

 Friday, September 18, 2026

I found the houses in town to be so charming. Here are a number of them we saw as we walked along Commercial Street. 

Provincetown 2026: Day 2 - Lunch at the Bay Cafe

 Friday, September 18, 2026 

Dale and I had lunch at the Bay Cafe. 

They had a great oceanfront deck with a great view of the Bay. Dale had chicken salad and I had a haddock sandwich which was really quite nice. The weather yesterday and today has been fantastic. Low 70s for temps but rather humid and quite hot in the sun. 

Provincetown 2026: Day 2 - Morning Walk

  Friday, September 18, 2026

Dale and I took a nice walk this morning. 

We found a nice oceanfront park and sat for a spell. 

Dale and I found another little public park a little ways up Commercial. It was grassy with a nice gazebo in the center with a little fountain. Dale and I had a nice conversation there. 

Provincetown 2026 - Dinner at Pepe's Warf

 Thursday, September 17, 2026

Dinner at Pepe's Wharf. This was a spot Warren picked out. We were able to walk from our Vrbo to the restaurant. 

Scott and I both ordered Emporess martinis. Empress is a brand of gin that is purple in color, very botanical. 

Dale and I shared a half dozen oysters. For dinner he got the salmon and I got the basil pesto linguine with added shrimp. I figured since I hear I needed something from the sea. Dale got the salmon which he said was excellent. 

Lots of paintings of sea captains as part of the decor. The place was nicely decorated. 

After dinner we stopped for ice cream cones at Lewis Brothers Ice Cream and then walked around Commercial Street.

When we got back to the house we had nightcaps around the fire pit. 

Provincetown 2026 - Our Vrbo

 Thursday, September 17, 2026

The house we're staying in Provincetown was built in 1840 and is 186 years old.

The house has been divided into 3 units - one per floor.

The house has a deep connection to Provincetown's maritime and hospitality roots, operating for decades as a tucked-away sanctuary in the heart of town.

Constructed around 1840, the property consists of a main residential building, a free-standing cottage, a large historic barn, and an expansive vegetable garden.

For over 30 years, it was famously known and licensed as Rose Acre, a beloved women-only guest house and artist refuge. It was highly regarded by visitors for its quiet, garden-oasis atmosphere despite being located just steps from the bustling Commercial Street.

While records from the 19th century are held in deep historical archives, the property's mid-to-late 20th-century ownership is well-documented:

Capt. Loring A. Russell Sr. & Etta Robar Russell (1952–1989): Captain Russell, a prominent local figure who owned the Provincetown Ice Company and captained the fishing vessel Loretta R., purchased the home in 1952. He and his wife lived there for nearly four decades.

  

Rosemarie A. Basile & Carol J. Noyes (1989–2022): They acquired the property from the Russell estate in 1989, established the Rose Acre guest house, and operated the Rose Basile art studio on-site. They lovingly maintained the 5-family compound for 33 years before placing it on the market.