Highlight of the Summer

Last week I went down into my basement and discovered 17 kids (my two boys and 15 neighbors) running around, screaming, breaking things, basically raising the roof. You might say that this was an unusual day, but you would be wrong. It’s actually pretty typical. It’s been a crazy summer. I wouldn’t say it’s been relaxing in the least…so when I got to go on vacation to Cape Cod and NYC a few weeks ago, it was like a dream that I did not want to wake up from.

To my great delight, Stephen and John invited me to come visit them in Provincetown on the Cape. Truth be told, there may have been a few hints dropped in the past about how much I wanted to visit there. I will love those two forever for taking my (not so subtle) hints to heart and making the trip a reality. Provincetown was amazing…especially being there with some of my favorite people and staying in John beautiful house. 17 rowdy kids in a basement not to be found anywhere!

 
This was my bed during my stay. Yes, that’s a fresh bouquet of flowers on the nightstand. John knows how to pamper his guests. I don’t usually get pampered in such a manner so I’m still getting a little teary-eyed thinking about it. I really appreciate those kinds of details.

John’s house (just a small jaunt across the road from the ocean) was originally built in 1779 for a sea captain named Captain Small. John has taken great pains to preserve what is old and unique and beautiful about the house while adding his own amazing touches. I loved every single detail about it.

I spent the days exploring the house, the quaint town and it’s wonders, and of course, the beauties of the ocean. I’m ashamed to admit this, but I’m almost 40 years old and have never been swimming in the ocean. Doing so for the first time, even if it was in a rain storm (which made it even better in some ways), was a big deal for me. I loved it!

Some sights from the seaside…

 
John’s collection of vintage bikes was the perfect mode of transportation for exploring. The game was to maneuver through the crowded main streets without touching a foot to the ground even once. I employed my bike bell many times, but I still lost this challenge to the more experienced.

As always, the best part of any vacation, for me, is the company. of course Stephen and John and then a last minute surprise when I learned that Marc, Emilie, Xavier, and baby Colette would be joining us as well. More than perfect!

Colette’s favorite in the house was John’s 19 year old cat, Skip. “Sk” as she called him.

I slept in an airport one night, got incredibly sea-sick on the stormy ferry ride over, missed my flight in Dallas (due to a storm), there was a pile of laundry taller than my head when I returned home, and am still nursing some pretty crazy blisters on the bottoms of my toes from walking in the rough sand, but every second of all that was worth it. I’ve got a head full of beautiful memories to keep forever.

Highlights: swimming and floating in the ocean (salty), biking through the town, seeing all the old Cape Cod houses, shopping in John’s Provincetown store, delicious dinners by candlelight, trying sardines (love them!), best ice cream ever, breakfast on the patio, walking down Breakwater, running to the ocean in the rain, meeting new people, cooking dinner together in the cozy kitchen, great conversations, Stephen’s constant singing, Colette’s comedy at the pizza place, a smoother ferry ride back to Boston with John, and enjoying everything with family that I love.

Thanks Stephen and John for all of it, every detail. I love you forever! Thanks Marc, X, Em, and baby Colette for the good times. I’m so glad you came!

Provincetown…you’re beautiful!