Monday, September 22, 2008

We had a blog; Umm, I mean journal.

Elizabeth G. does not like the word "Blog". It reminds her of some childhood monster under the bed ...or something dastardly like that. So from here forward we shall call this a journal...not a BLOG. Whatever you do, don't say BLOG

To say I was pulling my hair out when I realized all our hard work was somewhere in a black hole in space, is an understatement! Alas, we shall recap and start again with brand new software and this wonderful little button called "save". What a concept..."save"!

Well, our BLOG, errr, journal is called

The Elizabethan

Here you will find everything Elizabeth (1558-1603), everything Elizabeth (the 21st Century), everything Elizabeth Meryl Streep <--hey, who said that?? Everything Gabriel's (1979-present), every tidbit you all said was essential for your every day life. Yes, boys and girls, it's all here.

Let's take a moment before we journey further to pay our respects to the ultimate Elizabeth, shall we?

:::silence please::: (genuflecting is optional)

So...what are we and why are we out here in journal world?

We are Gabriel's, a historic inn that is comprised of four antique buildings surrounding a multi-leveled courtyard. The oldest building, was built in 1740, the newest, 1880. Since 1978 every inch has been lovingly restored and renovated. We are located at the base of the Pilgrim Monument, bordering the Pilgrim Park, in Provincetown Massachusetts.

•Latitude 42.058N Longitude is -70.179W <-- for those of you arriving by rowboat or flying pig.

•Elevation: 44..Why did I mention this? In case you are making brownies of course! Don't tell me you never saw the fine print on your brownie box that gave special instructions for cooking at different altitudes!

Our guests...they are the best in the world. They are the reason we are creating this journal. We've received so many requests to document this delicious, crazy, amazing life.

All the world's a stage.

That said, our stage starts in the Great Room around our wooden tables. Anyone who has sat at this magical place will confirm what I am going to tell you!

The following is dedicated to ....well, everyone.

I refer to it as a magical place because it is most certainly on the endangered list. No politician is campaigning for it's continuation. There are no petitions in villages or towns. The phrase "gathering around the table..." is fading from our memories.

When you enter into our Great Room in the morning, it doesn't matter if you are a woman, man, child, white, purple, square, round, Republican, Democrat, wearing bunny rabbit slippers, your beehive wig or simply are a fleeing gingerbread man stopping by for some milk before the baker
finds you! Everyone is welcome.

I have seen a 90 year old British couple sit and talk with a 20 something year old tattooed student. That conversation started with the 90 year old asking...”I can’t help but stare at all the artwork you are displaying, I imagine they all have a story, what does the snake with a knife on the motorcycle mean?” I kid you not boys and girls, I couldn't make this stuff up! People you would never expect mingling together end up making dinner plans. Stories are shared and bread is broken. Most of all, laughter..laughter...laughter.

And then there are Charlene's updates...

Charlene is our everything gal. She is 6th generation Provincetown native and knows or is related to well... everyone! She is NEVER without a dish on someone, something, her kids, her Ma, her sistah...the gal that just walked by the window...the plumber that just left. The lovely part of it all is no one knows who she is talking about, but they want to know the next morning..."Charlene did Rose and Timmy get back together or how did Old man Cooke make out with that heart problem...” To which the familiar Provincetown dialect can be heard..."Oh dahlin, let me tell you".....( she always looks both ways before she starts talking..which I find so funny...as if the person she is talking about suddenly decided to come have coffee at Gabriel’s)..We love her and would not trade her for anything!

<--- Caught in action

World Series, Super Bowl....hey, if it's an occasion we'll have a party!

And yes darlings,...Oscar parties.

Okay, on with the show....

The gals that run it... why that would be us :::enter curtsies::: The Elizabeth's.

Yes, we are both Elizabeth and both originally from New York! We are lots of fun at parties, Elizabeth G. does balloon animals and Elizabeth A. counts cards while playing 21!
Quick recap on Gabriel's....
•Longest running women owned inn, in the country... 30 years.
•Broke all guest house occupancy records for this past year
•Elizabeth and Elizabeth hold the record for fastest run up the Pilgrim Monument
•Top hits on any Provincetown website as well as the oldest website in Provincetown
•The website? Oh well, since you asked...it's Gabriel's however, you can visit that later. Why not stick around for the re-opening night of The Elizabethan!

So..a short recap of our lost blog for the past several years.. where shall I begin...let's see.

Well...how about a flashback.

And then....

A few years ago we renovated our 1740 house. We saved the 10 inch wide floor boards, uncovered two stone circular cellars and the first draft of the Mayflower Compact! Our crew became family. We only wish we had another building to renovate! Did someone say, Gabriel's should expand to the Hamptons? One never knows! Stay tuned on that one.

We finally got that long sought after Brady Bunch lunch box for our collection!

Laugh if you must, we know you will be asking to see it when you arrive at the guest house!

Our travels the past few years have taken us around the globe!

Dinosaur tar pits, Red Sox games and the very famous Rankin and Bass Museum. Who are Rankin and Bass you ask? Please note: They are the creators of my childhood....ummm I mean our childhood favorite holiday classics!

The crew from Gabriel's marching in... I mean watching the 4th of July Parade

A Provincetown tradition...Christopher jumps off the pier!
Enter...mother has a martini!

Another marvy moment...Christopher the street musician

2007 brought us one of the funniest 4th of July gatherings we have ever had. We sat on the beach with blankets, jackets, mittens, umbrellas...fighting hail, lightning and gale force winds! Turn up your sound to hear our dear friend and fellow inn keeper, Diane Corbo's comments. They are truly priceless.