Author: Nichole S.

Just a few more schooners….. while Gloucester pages have been full of beautiful Schooner Festival photos… and just maybe you’ve seen enough, it seems silly to not share mine.

Thank you, Cape Ann Whale Watch! My older son, Thatcher, has had the awesome opportunity to work as a deckhand all summer on the Hurricane II. Watching whales, cruising the coastline, and heading to Stellwagen Bank, Jeffreys Ledge, or towards Provincetown with some great fellow crew members and the one and only Captain Johnny isn’t a bad gig for a 16 year-old who loves being on the water! I’m super thankful that he was able to secure that job and appreciate Jim Douglass and Nick Danikas so much for having faith in him. I’ve been dying to get on the water with him this summer and finally had the opportunity yesterday. Here are some of my whale photos, etc. It isn’t too late to book tickets to go see the whales. Trips will continue running until the end of October! Head to seethewhales.com to learn more and book your tickets! Be sure to check out Cape Ann Whale Watch on Facebook to see the photos taken by their naturalists and team members….as they’re way better than mine! Not only can you see their great photos, but their posts are incredibly informative and give you wonderful insight to what is happening with the whale population in the waters off Cape Ann.

End of summer blues. We celebrated a friend’s birthday at the marina by having some drinks on their boat and taking a cruise down the river. Yesterday I posted the other end of the river….today, this.

We went for a beautiful evening cruise the other night. The light at the end of the Annisquam was beautiful.

Taking Flight. This home along the Annisquam River has a beautiful sculpture of a bird taking flight from its dock. Can you see it?

Room with a view. Love passing this isolated little houseboat off of Dilly Island towards the end of Essex River.

Honeycomb in Hamilton! We always talk about the many wonderful options for grabbing beach/boat food in Gloucester, but last Saturday we went on a boat ride with my sister…leaving from her slip in Essex. My mother went to Honeycomb in Hamilton and grabbed some unbelievably delicious breakfast sandwiches for us to eat on the boat. If you’re in that area and looking for a bite stop by! 248 Bay Road, Hamilton Ma

Photo bombed. This seagull had places to be and didn’t want to wait as I tried to take a photo of the lighthouse. He does have the right of way, I suppose.

Heading Out. My son, Finn, sent me this photo super early this morning as he was headed out to fish.

The 2nd Annual Blackburn Brew Fest is happening on Saturday, September 16th from 1-5 at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. I attended last year and can tell you that it is a great time! All information can be found at this link: https://www.blackburnbrewfest.com/

Purchase tickets in advance for $50 or at the door for $60.

We were lucky to have a visit from the Famous Polly Five Toes while sailing on the Lannon the other night. Polly doesn’t visit Captain Heath on every trip, but usually comes a few times each week.

Resting Place

We talk a lot about packing for the beach. Last weekend I called Jeff’s Variety and ordered a few Chicken Caprese Roll-Ups to pack for the beach. They were amazing! So easy and perfect for throwing in the cooler and taking on the go. https://www.jeffsvarietyanddeli.com/

The Sturgeon Moon sits just above Cape Pond Ice in this photo. In the foreground you can see three dimly lit rowing dories (I need to better school myself on the the difference between seine boats, gigs, dories, etc!). To the left is Finn….just home from a striper fishing trip.

What a story. “Book a tuna fishing charter” they said. “it’ll be fun,” they said. Well, they couldn’t have been more right! Three of these guys, hailing from Montana and Idaho, did quite a bit of research to find the PERFECT tuna tournament. They chartered the Molly Jane, with very capable Captains Kurt and Erik Christensen and Stud Mate, Brandon….and just happened to win 1st Place…. With prizes for the boat totaling more than $160,000. Nice idea, Guys! Congratulations on picking the right boat and the right tournament. Huge CONGRATULATIONS to the the Captain and Crew of the Molly Jane.

You can still donate here: https://secure.etransfer.com/eft/flexblockcode/donation1.cfm?d2org=ECCF&d2tool=BBDonation

#bfb23

Essex. Down River. A beautiful, fog-free, day in Essex.

Lion on the move! I caught a glimpse of this lion on the move. Pretty cool. I hope to see it in its forever home on display soon. I have a guess where it might be headed and I’ll have to go by and see later this week.

Back to the mainland late last night after catching a ferry from Martha’s Vineyard back to Wood’s Hole.

GHS Fishermen Street Hockey Tournament! Please be sure to click on this post if viewing on Facebook to learn more. Teams can register to play, sponsors can register to support GHS hockey, and ANYONE can purchase raffle tickets to win some great prizes! There are some really great raffle items to win while supporting our local Gloucester High School Fishermen Hockey Team! Adult teams can register for the Friday, August 4th Tournament to play and Youth teams (all different age groups) can register for the Sunday, August 6th tournament. Lots of fun to be had as well. Learn more by checking out the Gloucester High School Hockey Boosters Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083365021038

These Cayman Jack margaritas with Zero sugar are delicious. You’re welcome. Happy Weekend!