Provincetown: The True Top

If you really want to see Provincetown, climb the 116 steps of the Pilgrim Monument, erected from 1907-1910 to commemorate the first landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims in Provincetown on November 21, 1620. It’s 252 feet high and 350 feet above sea level making it without question the highest spot in town.

Our ace photographer Tom Shirk, owner of the casually elegant and “beachy chic” White Porch Inn, climbed those stairs yesterday so you, dear reader, can enjoy these spectacular shots of Provincetown taken a day after Irene swept through from the comfort of your home or office.

Provincetown after Irene: Still Gay

Menacing clouds and surf.

Above is a picture of Irene as it started to affect Provincetown on Saturday before Irene struck.

Below is a picture of guys at tea dance that same day, an iconic daily event at the Boatslip Resort from 4PM to 7PM sharp. Can’t keep the boys away no matter what.

Boatslip

Below is a picture of the aftermath: sand dunes on Commercial St, the main drag. Not bad though considering how bad it could have been.

Sand dunes on Commercial

Finally a post-hurricane shot. It’s a gorgeous day in Provincetown.

The calm after the storm

Tour of the Week: The 100th Anniversary of the Titanic’s Maiden Voyage

By Jeff Guaracino

Today’s cruise ship companies endlessly announce the “newest” or “world’s largest ships” but one passenger liner still captures our imaginations and respect, the RMS Titanic. The “unsinkable” ship struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, and sank on 15 April 1912, resulting in the deaths of 1,517 people.

Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the sailing of Titanic’s maiden voyage. Several destinations, tour operators and exhibition companies are getting ready.

For the real deal, visit Halifax, Nova Scotia Continue reading “Tour of the Week: The 100th Anniversary of the Titanic’s Maiden Voyage”

Provincetown: Number 1 (In So Many Ways)

Pretty much the end of the road. But what a great ending!

Provincetown, Massachusetts is located at the very end of the curly-cue tip of Cape Cod.

It’s always been my favorite LGBT resort destination. And now the U.S. agrees (well, sort of). According the latest census, Provincetown ranks number one in terms of same-sex couples per 1,000 households. Check out the story in today’s New York Times.

 

 

Deal of the Week: Take a Survey, Win a Hotel Stay

Photo: Kate Benson

We know you’re out there visiting Provincetown, jetting to Australia, cavorting in Cabos. But there just isn’t enough information about lesbian travelers.

Help IGLTA and Curve Magazine learn more about your preferences, likes and dislikes. Help us help you! Not only are you doing us a favor, you may actually win a free hotel stay in fabulous Miami! Check out details and the survey here. Happy surveying!

Provincetown: Live Reporting from my Working Vacation

View of lighthouse from West End Breakwater, Provincetown

Emphasis on vacation at this point!

Here’s a shot from the West End Breakwater, a 6,150-foot long dike (sorry – that’s what it is!) in the far West End of Provincetown. It was built in 1911 to protect the shore against the ever-shifting dunes but it has become a landmark and an excellent place for a walk. I love it early in the morning when the sun is rising and there aren’t too many people. Watch your footing though, the rocks are uneven.

There’s a shot I took this morning.

Stay tuned for more Provincetown updates all week.

Lesbian Vampires Invade Miami

She bad ass!

Well, celluloid vampires, that is!

The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, celebrating its 14th year, takes place annually in the spring. On September 4th, 2011, MGLFF premieres “We are the Night” (“Wir Sind Die Nacht”), a vampire film making that has one awards in Germany, to raise money for the film festival.

If you can’t make the event (details follow), check out the sizzling trailer.

Event details:

  • $20 tickets include cocktail reception with a complimentary drink and appetizers, film and admission to the after party.
  • Cocktail Reception: 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • Film Screening: 9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
  • After Party: 11:00 p.m. ($10 cover)
  • Venue: The Stage, 170 NE 38th Street, Miami, in the Design District

 

 

 

Romance by VIA Rail Canada

It'd be nice to wake up to him on a train

VIA Rail Canada — our northern neighbor’s version of Amtrak — has long supported the LGBT community in a variety of ways and occasionally offers specials and deals for us queer traveling folk.

Their Romance by Rail experience doesn’t come with a discount but it does include extraordinary views (of the Canadian Rockies), an intimate suite, pampering service, and pretty amazing food and wine especially considering your on a train.

If you’re looking for a special honeymoon experience after getting married in, say, New York, this may be just the (rail) ticket.

To book a Romance by Rail experience, call one of their ticket agents toll-free at 1888 VIA-RAIL or visit VIARail.ca.

Suite Dream: Great Deal at INNDulge, Palm Springs, CA

There are some nekkid fellas in that pool!

If you can stand the heat (hey, it’s the dry heat!) of gay-popular Palm Springs, California in the summer, the friendly folks at INNDulge offer a great deal.

Buy one night, get one free through September. There’s still availability in August and early September, so hurry. There are some exceptions (no holidays or Friday or Saturday stays). More information: Info@INNdulge.com    1-800-833-5675     1-760-327-1408

Baltimore Certainly is Queer

A queer circus is in town

There is lots going on in Baltimore for all visitors, including LGBT travelers. This underrated Mid-Atlantic cultural capital birthed John Waters and his many zany movies. There’s a definite queer sensibility. Here’s a fun-sounding event. We haven’t been but if you are in town, it sounds like a crazy, “Baltimore” way to spend time with the local LGBT community.

Eggplant Faerie Players present: Homo Hollow: A Queer Country Circus!

August 27, 2011 at 8 p.m.
This is an extravaganza of unbelievable and true stories of 17 years of life in Ida, a queer commune in rural Tennessee. Juggling, satire, unicycling, mandolin music, outrageous costumes, and stilt-walking! Consider drag queens with chainsaws, nuclear madness (both the radioactive kind and the family kind), animal husbandry, and how unique communities become sources of strength. Q&A follows. $15

Info: Creative Alliance