Author: Nichole S.

Good Morning, Gloucester. Sunrise over downtown Gloucester and City Hall from my window.

Have we talked about the Mediterranean Pizza at the Salted Cod on Rocky Neck? Because, it was delicious and we should! What a perfect spot to meet for a bite to eat and a drink…. Not to mention the artwork.

A Room with a View. I love the view of the Essex River from the bar at CK Pearl on the causeway in Essex.

Tools of the trade. Like a doctor before surgery…..Finn likes to spread out the essentials before getting ready to make some casts. This was bright and early the other day. 4:45 alarm to start fishing before sunrise.

The Chappy Ferry. (Click the link for a video) Finn and I went to Martha’s Vineyard over the weekend because fishing the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby (in it’s 48th year) has become a fall tradition (for about the last four years). With 4:45 a.m wake ups to be ready for the sunrise blitz, I got to watch the Chappy Ferry wake up with the world as well….and then watched it/them go back and forth for hours. It has always made me laugh. On Time II and On Time III go back and forth from the Edgartown Memorial Wharf to Chappaquiddick all day long. The trip from one dock to the other is just over one minute. It takes just over four minutes for a ferry to load up with cars (maybe 4 max), travel across the way, dock, unload, and reload, and make the return trip. Not sure why that cracks me up, but it does. It adds such an interesting twist to one’s commute I should think.

Another lonely lifeguard stand. It’s going to be a long off-season.

I took a trip to Russell Orchards on Argilla Road in Ipswich the other day. (Click on this post to see many more photos) Even if you don’t have the time or the desire to go into the orchards to pick apples (or other seasonal treats) you should swing by. Visit the farm animals, browse the pumpkins, gourds, and produce and shop for a large variety of goodies in the barn…..including just to name a few, a children’s section, wine/cider, honey, jams, baked goods, ice cream, pies….of cider donuts.

A long walk to a short pier. With another 90 minutes to burn while Finn skated over at Governor’s Academy, I took my Tuesday drive through Newburyport and then walked a bit at the end of Plum Island. It’s really a special place.

Beach blooms. I went to sit for a bit on the beach on Plum Island last week and this caught my eye.

Crossing Paths. My son, Thatcher, took this photo last night while working an evening trip on the Hurricane II (Cape Ann Whale Watch). Looks like it was a beautiful evening to be on the water.

We all know that watching sunsets over near Plum Cove Beach can be amazing. Last night, while driving over in that direction, the sun was blazing in the sky. By the time I got there to take a picture, however, it had slipped behind some clouds and wasn’t nearly as pretty…..but, because we are so blessed to live here, pretty nonetheless.

Goodnight, Plum Island. I took a drive to/through Plum Island last night to watch the sunset.

We had lunch at Gilette Stadium after a hockey game at the Rodman Arena on Sunday. The Patriots were on the road, but it was fun to watch the first half of the game in Patriot Place. If you haven’t been down to enjoy the stores/restaurants, it’s worth the trip.

The Garden. If you haven’t been to the TD Garden lately, you might be surprised to see what it looks like these days.

A really good morning, Gloucester. My early bird is hoping to get the fish. Finn worked hard on the Yankee Fleet this summer. The owner, captains, and crew were all so kind and amazing to him! It was such a fantastic learning experience! Finn loves fishing and I try to embrace that as much as possible because it’s something I hope he does for the rest of his life. He bought himself a new deep-sea fishing rod and reel the other day. And was super excited to use it. So, he woke up at 3:45 in the morning and went out as a passenger rather than a crew member….and he sent me this photo.

Disappearing Lighthouse. My son, Thatcher, is named after Thacher’s Island and its twin lighthouses. Click this link to watch a short video I took showing how one lighthouse disappears behind the other to give sailors, navigators, and fishermen true north or true south as they find their way up the coastline. The history of Thacher’s Island is pretty cool if you ever have time to read up on it. I’ve provided a couple of links where you can learn more. One historical tidbit that I always find interesting is that Thacher Island and its lighthouses have been credited with saving many lives…including notably, President Woodrow Wilson.

http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/thacher-island-twin-lights-history.html

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/thacher-island

Take me out to the ballgame. While the Red Sox might be fighting for last place in the American League, you still can’t go wrong spending the night at Fenway Park. I was super lucky that someone offered me four pretty amazing seats behind home plate for last night’s game and we enjoyed a really fun night at the ballpark. Some of you might know that Fenway Park is one of my favorite places in the world!

Heading out. I love passing Dog Bar Breakwater and Eastern Point Light.

Some more fog for you.

Bluefin Blowout Check Presentation. $423,000 more donated to help #endalz! That brings the total raised since 2016 to more than $1.7 million!! Last night organizers, sponsors, captains/crews, and friends gathered as Warren Waugh and Cidalia Schwartz announced how much money was raised during this year’s Bluefin Blowout. The staggering amount equaled $423,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. THANK YOU to everyone!!!!