Author: Pat D

Trying not to prolong the alliteration unnecessarily, but I think it’s a Northern Harrier Hawk. I admire the concentration!

Recent sunrise at Good Harbor Beach taken with my phone after the camera battery died just before the sun broke the horizon.

Such pretty days recently make me yearn for long summer days, but I try to remember to stay in the moment and enjoy what’s right in front of me.

It was a sunny and mild weekend and a great day to walk Main Street.

This barn drew my immediate attention. It seems to tell so many stories of the past, still full of character. There are numerous historic and stately homes along the byway. They all seem comfortable in the midst of barns reminding us also of the past. These barns simply fascinate me.

As I mentioned, a movie was being filmed on Crane Estate when I visited this week, but they kindly allowed me in to take the drive around I had planned on. Even in the dead of winter, this place is pretty spectacular. I have a Trustee membership, so access is free until March 31 and I thought that seemed like a pretty good deal. Maybe you will too.

I was happy to see the statues all wrapped up against potential winter damage. Here’s some additional information on the Grand Allée. 

I thought I’d visit Crane Beach and Crane Estate yesterday since it was such a pretty day. I hadn’t been there in a while and wasn’t sure what to expect during school vacation week. To my surprise, I ran right smack into movie filming. The “home base” was the beach parking lot and it was pretty busy but they let me in to take a drive-around. It appears vacation programs are planned around the filming. I couldn’t find out what was being filmed but perhaps one of our readers know?

I went to Hunt’s Photo in Melrose recently and kind of impulsively bought a new camera (thank  you GMG Jimmy for the encouragement).  For its first outing, I drove to Parker River Wildlife Refuge and Plum Island once again looking for eagles. It was dreary and wet and hardly anyone was around but I found a snowy owl in the distance posing as if it were waiting for me and my new camera to experiment. Then along came a seagull to harass and I could hear their warning sounds to each other. I was lucky enough to capture some of the encounter and thought you all might like to see it too. Next, I plan to learn how use the video features on the camera!

Last Sunday, the Boss Joey C gave us a day off from our normal podcast schedule and we were finally able to go to the Feather & Wedge in Rockport for brunch. We made our reservation online from the restaurant website which made it super easy and convenient. There was a steady flow of customers and all seemed as happy as we were with our food and service. Feather & Wedge for brunch seems like an especially good idea for a special occasion. GMG Jimmy made his own Bloody Mary to go with his steak and eggs. My grapefruit mimosa is now my preferred grapefruit intake method!

During last Saturday’s Merrimack River Eagle Festival, I went looking for eagles and snowy owls. Instead, I found a swan at Parker River as well as an old friend in a tree along the way. “The Swan and the Owl” sounds like a fable. I guess the lesson here was to be grateful for the gifts you are given even if they weren’t what you were hoping for. And I am grateful for all the beauty this area offers.

Over this Presidents Day weekend, First Ipswich Bank changed over to Brookline Bank. I expect customers were prepared but the new signage in the Walgreens plaza on Rogers Street caught my eye.

It was a very cold but pretty day at the beach yesterday.

We had the pleasure of visiting Oliver’s Harbor for our Valentine’s Day dinner. So happy to see them back in the game! We did not experience normal new-opening difficulties. My steak was awesome and GMG Jimmy had sushi he enjoyed. Great evening. Thank you Hannah and Scott. We are looking forward to a return visit.

 

Wishing all our followers a wonderful day and I hope you find love in the world around you.

I’ve been going through older photo albums (yes, I have such things) looking for something and I ran across some pictures of our trips to Gloucester in 2003 and 2004. The sharp-eyed among you will notice a few differences just in the past 16-17 years in these iconic scenes. I hope you enjoy this little trip down recent memory lane!

For the sake of the blog, we feel it’s important to share the wealth where chocolate is concerned for Valentines Day! Nichols Candies is ready for Valentines Day and is waiting for you!

Valentine treats for all budgets available at Turtle Alley on Rogers Street. Do yourself a favor and stop by.

We had not been to Willow Rest in a while so we stopped for lunch. What a treat! I had the Causeway chicken sandwich and Jim had the Cuban….piled high and steamy with goodness! Always a nice treat plus we get to see friends! Shout out to Chris, our favorite plumber.

It’s at this time of year when I crave pretty bright colors and Audrey’s Flower Shop fills the Bill! Despite being a bit trapped by street construction just outside their door, Audrey’s staff is ready for any upcoming holidays you might need flowers for.

Along the road and around the corner views of the progress of the Aquarius on the Back Shore buildings.