Monday was rainy. It seems that the dark clouds would come often during this leg of our journey. We had plenty of it over the past week, although it did offer nice times to just stop moving. We had been planning on going to Provincetown this week, although we had no idea where we would stay or what we would do with the dogs on the hot days.
A rainy day is always great for a day trip, so we decided to pack the dogs and head down Rt. 6 to Ptown. The roads were busy with other like minded people. On the Cape, if it is not a beach day, it is a Ptown day (at least once).
We arrived in Ptown and it was pouring. Not a good day for ducks, let alone dogs. We parked up at the Pilgrim Monument, paying our $5 and ventured into the rain. The monument is located high on a hill and offers some spectacular views of the cape if you climb the 116 stairs and 60 ramps to the top. We were not walking up the stairs this time, but quickly walked down the hill towards Commercial Street and our friend, Astrid's restaurant, Pepe's.
Pepe's Wharf is one of the best waterfront restaurants I know. I am a bit biased as I am friends with the owner and the manager, Dwayne, had been my friend for over 20 years. There is also a number of others that I know very well who work there, and it is always a great time.
Today was no different. We arrived sopping wet, but the place was packed and so we had to be wallflowers for a while until the other wet customers had finished their meals and ventured into the rain. It was great that Astrid was there and we chatted with her for a bit after she pulled a few stools over to the bar for us, squeezing us in. Dwayne stopped over as well and soon it was old home week with many people stopping over to say hello.
Their bar is one of the last bars in the states that one can eat, drink and smoke in and have an incredible view of the harbor filled with it's many boats. Smoking regulations have been in effect for years, but there is some clause about 3 open walls and the ability to smoke. The deck at Pepe's was one of our favorite spots to nosh and cocktail when we lived there.
The Upstairs Bar at Pepe's Wharf
We had a late lunch upstairs. A delicious 8 oz. fish accompanied by french fries. Classic Fish 'n Chips. The fish was meaty without too much batter, Tom's favorite way. Tom got the lobster Roll that had enough lobster in it to feed a small family. Both were eaten quickly with a marguerita. The bartender William was a wonderful host to us. We felt so much at home.
We were still soaked after lunch and Dwayne had suggested to go down to the fireplace. There was a family sitting there, but surely they would be leaving soon. Not too soon as it dragged on for over an hour. Eventually that family left and we got to take off our sweatshirts and warm ourselves and dry our clothes by the fire.
Pepe's, as well as the town in general, tend to hire staff from Eastern Europe for the summer. I mentioned a number of posts ago how it was getting difficult to find and afford year pound housing, so the workforce had to be imported to handle the uptick of vacationers and day trippers during the high season. Pepe's had hired many Bulgarians, and they were buzzing about the restaurant. There were a few that took care of us, offering us blankets by the fire and serving us some red wine. Miro was the name of one of the staff and took very good care of us.
Fireplace at Pepe's
Lower Level Display at Pepe's
Both Astrid and Dwayne were perfect hosts. Astrid had checked around for a place to stay, eventually getting an offer from our friend Ross to spend the night at his home on Duncan Lane. Dwayne, author of "Mornings With Mailer", kept our stomachs full and bodies warm by the fire. All in all, it was a perfect day.
Miro Striking Pose
A Great Room at Pepe's
Dwayne at Pepe's
We had a wonderful dinner with Ross, compliments of the house and then visited with Timmy (Helen) and Barry along with their 3 dogs. They lived and worked on the property of Pepe's. We went to Ross' house to sleep that evening. Both BuddyJack & Lu enjoyed being someplace other than a car and happily rested for the night.
We drove back to Fairhaven the next morning, only to pack a few items and head back to Ptown for Carnival Week.
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