Wednesday – Sep 17 – Gloucester, MA

W: No, the above photos are not from Littleton; nor are they from Boston. They are from Gloucester / Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Like many things in life, experience is what happens when you were expecting or planning something else.

It was our intention (yesterday’s thoughts) to take the subway and venture in to downtown Boston. According to the campground brochure, the nearest subway stations were 45 minutes away. Although not sure of the transit times for the subway into town, we figured it must be at least another 45 – 60 minutes. Thus we were looking at almost two hours each way.

So instead, we opted for a trip to Gloucester, Cape Ann, and the Atlantic Ocean. (Yes, it was a one-hour+ drive, but it seemed easier.)

Anyway, we prowled Gloucester and had a late lunch. I had a “LOBSTER ROLL” and fries; Margaret had roasted eggplant salad. I wasn’t sure what a lobster roll was, but saw it advertised on several local restaurants. Since I knew I had to have at least one serving of lobster while in New England, I ordered it. (Photo above.) The restaurant (Sugar Magnolia) called it lobster salad served on a roll. I’m not sure what went into it except lobster chunks; large chunks – the size of your thumb, and fresh, including a piece of cartilage in the first bite! The lobster was mixed with some kind of remoulade or Russian dressing sauce, but nothing else. It was ok, but I probably won’t order it again (and yes, it was expensive – at least for a sandwich).

Gloucester itself was similar to Fernandina Beach –touristy shops, antique shops, with stuff to buy you don’t need. Several restaurants at the waterfront and on Main Street. After doing downtown, we drove out to the end of the North American continent (at least in this area – not counting Cape Cod). Beautiful homes, whether palatial or not, nestles among boulders and trees. The tide was out but the homes and hotels on the coast were still spectacular. I’d love to see it when there is a storm (or icy) – but I’ll leave that experience to someone else.

We did discover a wonderful little beach / cove – called Good Harbor Beach. Several of the photos are from this idyllic spot. Being probably the last warm days of summer, folks were really enjoying it.

There was one potentially troublesome event. A young boy was learning to paddle a kayak but had trouble understanding his parent’s directions from the shore (right vs left hand). As a result, the river / tide was rapidly carrying him towards the ocean. After floating under the boardwalk, he managed to get close enough to the shore for his parents to grab the kayak. M. I was standing at the steps of the boardwalk when dad went by on the rescue mission. I said, “Looks like you’ll be getting wet yet.” He grinned and hurried on.

The watercolor painters were out in force. I bet this house on the hill is one of the most painted houses in this neck of the woods – sort of like the Bailey House in Fernandina Beach. It was certainly a spot I could return to with a camera over and over in all kinds of weather, different times of day, and various seasons of the year. Today’s photos don’t really do it justice.