Author: Pat D

CB (crystal ball) enjoys the summer as much as we all do and is happy to get back to some of her favorite spots: Eastern Point, the dock and the back shore.

They are getting big and seem pretty active. This is a screenshot from the webcam and you can see Annie, Squam and the 3 chicks. 

There was a pretty spectacular sunset at Lane’s Cove recently. Even CB enjoyed it.

Thanks to Mary Goldberg, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Hammond Castle Museum for sharing her pictures of the ribbon cutting held Friday morning to celebrate the reopening of the museum. I was unable to attend myself, but plan to get my tickets online here soon and make my visit.

She sent along the following: I’m sending you the most fun ones we have from today’s ribbon cutting. This is what I wrote on facebook when I posted a different picture:  This morning we celebrated our opening with special guests Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce CEO Ken Riehl, Discover Gloucester‘s Executive Director Elizabeth Carey and our own Executive Director Linda Harvey, Museum Shop Manager Maureen McLeghorn and Emilie Orlando. 

My sister came for a visit and we decided to return to Lobsta Land 84 Causeway St. because she had been dreaming about their Buffalo Scallops all winter.

We knew some work had been done inside and we were curious so we requested indoor seating. The layout has been a little bit rearranged and seems to flow better. Distanced tables for seating, masks on staff, hand sanitizer and disposable menus were some of the precautions we noticed.

Paula got her scallops, which did not disappoint. Jim got a lobster roll and bowl of chowder, which he enjoyed very much. I am a big fan of their blackened haddock, another winner! It was fairly busy even midweek, so plan accordingly if you need some Lobsta Land in your life.

For the sake of the blog, we made a trip out to Parker River recently and suffered the bites of the greenheads so you readers don’t have to…….the birds were pretty accommodating considering the pesky flies. If you are a cedar waxwing fan, you might want to consider a trip as they are very plentiful right now sitting prettily in the trees and bushes. We saw my personal favorite killdeer; heron, egret, osprey and others.

A new venture from James and Anna Eves recently opened to the public: Cape Ann Sea Salt!, which they describe as “artisinal finishing salt crafted with care”.  It can be ordered online here and picked up at Cape Ann Giclee 20 Maplewood Ave or shipped.  Flavors available include Pure Sea Salt, Lemon, Herbs D’Provence, Lavender, Black Pepper and Rosemary, and Rose  Wine and Hibiscus. Price varies with size.

We ordered online, finding it very simple to navigate. We picked our order up the next day (based on our schedule).  Lovely packaging. Anna recommended trying the lemon salt on a lobster roll, so we did!!! Amazing! Thanks Anna and James! Good luck on your new venture. It’s an incredible product.

Our whale watch aboard the Hurricane II recently gave me a chance to photograph some vessels from a different angle. Here’s the Stanley Thomas, Miss Carla, Cabaret V, Dunlin, Sea Ramble, Bounty Hunter and Tioga.  Spectacular from every angle.

The Gloucester Beaches Facebook page announces “ Saturday July 18 & Sunday July 19 Wingaersheek, Good Harbor and Stage Fort Park lots will be RESIDENTS ONLY “

As you may have heard me mention on the podcast, the Massachusetts Department of Health lifted some of the restrictions placed on grocery stores which were previously in place to help alleviate the spread of the coronavirus.  Stores may now allow reusable bags and may increase capacity to 50% of permitted occupancy. It’s important to remember individual stores may chose to put some of their own guidelines in place which should be respected when you plan to shop. It will be a relief to be able to use the reusable bags again (if I can find them in the way back of the trunk of the car where they have been hibernating for all these months).

Some guidelines remain, including morning shopping hours set aside for seniors, which will be a relief for many. Masks, of course, are still required. More information can be found here:  https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/massachusetts-rescinds-coronavirus-grocery-store-restrictions-what-you-need-to-know/2158724/

In addition, information can be found on the state website.

Including a random picture of the Allison Carol just because I do not have artful photos of reusable grocery bags……..

I have begun to experiment with light painting. These are examples of early attempts. I have quite a way to go, but what do you think of the GMG logo idea?

These two photos were taken 2 hours apart down at the dock yesterday. What a day!

We were pleased to be able to have lunch at Yella on the Water at 25 Western Ave one weekend afternoon. I had especially been looking forward to the wings. We sat inside as the sun was pretty hot even though there was a brisk breeze. Seating is available on the deck and under an adjacent tent as well. Kelley was a warm and efficient server, anticipating our needs with great precision.

I had the wings and a chicken kebab, Jim went with fish tacos which he raved about. The strawberry shortcake was outstanding and a fitting end to a lovely experience. Owner Danielle stopped by and let us know most of the food is obtained locally and the bar liquors carefully curated. The extra care to detail shows and makes this a go-to. 

The Hammond Castle Museum has recently announced its reopening plan scheduled for July 16. From their press release:

Hammond Castle Museum To Open for 45^th Season On July 16th

 Advance Purchase of Timed Tour Tickets Will Be Required For First Time in Museum’s History

Gloucester, Massachusetts – Hammond Castle Museum will open to the public for its 45^th Season on Thursday, July 16, 2020. In keeping with the health and safety guidelines set forth by the State of Massachusetts, the museum will only offer on-line tickets sales for timed tours to access the interior of the museum. Tickets may be purchased at: hammondcastle.org.

The 2020 Season schedule has been extended to offer more opportunities to visit the historic site. It is as follows:

• July through October: Open daily with tours beginning at 9:30 am and running every half hour with last tours starting at 3:00 pm Mondays through Thursday and at 2:30 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
• July and August: Thursday Evening Candlelight Tours at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Spiritualism Tour at 9:00 pm
• ‘Carry In-Carry Out’ Picnics in July and August with advance purchase of any of the Candlelight Tours. Reservations are required.
• November and December:  Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 am to 2:30pm

It looks like a very exciting season ahead and we are hoping to visit soon. In the meantime, we visited the grounds on a foggy afternoon. It’s always lovely there. We appreciate being allowed access until the reopening. Timed tickets available here.

Stones Pub has decided to close temporarily. We are disappointed but understand the myriad of difficulties the current environment causes. Hoping to see you again soon!

The Dining Rooms at the Castle may not be the first place that comes to mind for dinner, but you should consider putting it on your list. We went with friends on a weeknight recently. It was quiet but it’s a very relaxing setting. The room is quite pretty.

One of us had some dietary restrictions and Chef Dan Lavalla came right to our table to check with her so he could create something suited to her needs and tastes.  She reported her haddock dish was very good….it looked good! 

We ordered clam chowder which was just the right texture for Jim and every spoonful held deliciousness. Our entrees included steak tips, haddock, chicken piccata and scampi. It was all wonderfully presented and prepared. Chocolate lava cake finished off the evening meal! They are open for dinner Wednesday-Saturday; for lunch Wednesday-Friday; and for breakfast Saturday and Sunday, located at 141 Essex Ave. More information on their website here.

We took a whale watch tour on the Hurricane II yesterday to experience the whales (of course) as well as to experience the COVID era whale watch. Their tours are currently running at 30% capacity which means about 100 people. All must wear masks unless seated, the crew sanitize high-touch areas every half hour. Six foot distances are marked to assist with keeping your distance while aboard and most passengers seemed to be compliant and aware. Measured boarding and debarking are in place. It was my first experience with a larger sized group so I was a little wary, but I felt safe especially outside in the fresh air while under sail.  Tickets and additional info here.

We saw 5-6 whales, including a mother/calf combo. We thank Capt. Johnny, Jessie, Cole, and Kaitlyn (I am sorry I did not catch all the names) for the great trip during which we felt safe to observe Bayou (tail slapping)  and Spell, who was lunge feeding. We also saw mother humpback Twine and her 2020 calf.  The day out there was a little bit grey but we did get a few good shots.

This deer and I stopped to watch each other carefully on my walk on Dolliver’s Neck yesterday. He stomped his warning to me once or twice then huffed and snorted his warning to the rest of the deer family as he fled the scene.

Lunch at the Mile Marker! Crab dip and chips, fried clam sandwich and a fish sandwich made up our late lunch. It was basically our meal for the day. Oh, and libations: Mile Marker Monday Margarita!