Beantown & P-Town

- August 14, 2012

It was actually a fairly poor set of roads with tolls, tolls, tolls to get from Canada to Boston. Still it was a great day to be out driving. These tolls in the New England states were: US$1.00 in Maine (1 toll and most of the route), US$4.00 in New Hampshire (2 tolls and a minuscule portion of the route), and US$4.00 in Massachusetts (2 tolls).

Boston

So there I was in beantown (er Boston). But how did that name come to be? The nickname's history seems to have started with the Narragansett, Penobscot and the Iroquois people. They created the first baked bean recipe in which the main ingredient in baked beans is maple syrup. The Iroquois discovered maple syrup. Legend tells us that a tomahawk was thrown into a maple tree one night. The next morning sap came out of the hole. This sap tasted sweet. Meat was boiled in it and found to be delicious. Thus, we have the beginnings of a baked bean recipe - maple syrup. During colonial time, the pilgrims learned how to make baked beans from the Native Americans, but rather than maple syrup and bear fat they used molasses and pork fat. Molasses was used because Boston was one of the ports on the shipping route from England to the Caribbean. The sugar cane grown in the Caribbean was shipped to Boston, turned into molasses and rum and then shipped back to England. There was more than enough molasses leftover and molasses became a major ingredient rather than maple syrup. Further, the Puritan Sabbath was strict. At sundown the night before no work was allowed. Food could be served, but not prepared. Puritan women devised dishes that could be made in advance. The most popular of these were baked beans. A big pot of beans could be prepared early Saturday morning and kept warm by the fire. It could be served for Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast.

The tradition of baked beans and brown bread on Saturday night earned Boston the nickname “Bean Town.”

I spent only 2 nights in Boston under lovely clear skies. I wondered the waterfront, explored the "Freedom Trail", visited the undefeated USS Constitution Tall-Ship warship, sailed on a Liberty Tall-ship to watch the sunset, and spent time in one of the many Irish Pubs.

Buoys on the Waterfront

Famous "unnamed" sculpture's headstone creation

Beantown = Boston

State House

Paul Revere's headstone

Paul Revere's home

USS Constitution

Liberty Clipper

Liberty captain and crew

Boston sunset

Boston nightscape

Provincetown

Then on to P-Town (that is Provincetown) and the tip of Cape Cod (actually the road system ends and dunes continue to wrap a natural barrier around the bay of P-Town. Now this was a lovely drive. Albiet verrrry slow at times when actually on the "do not pass" road system of Cape Cod. So I was under the mis-interpretation that P-Town is Gay Town. It is certainly a very open town and the rainbow flags, entertainers, super friendly staff and townies were every where. But there is also a huge number of families visiting the town as well as the Coast Guard station, and vacation homes of artists and their families.

I'm here at the beginning of Provincetown Gay Pride week and all accommodations are fully sold out. That means the place is crowded - but it actually does not feel over-crowded. I have had a great time (and an easy one) entering any eatery, bar, or shop. With all the cabaret shows and international stars in performing there is just too much to do. My only regret is that I am going to miss the Parade which looks like it would be a very fun event. When I leave tomorrow morning it will be in time for a nice restful car drive! I will truly miss P-Town and its super friendly people.