Author: Pat D

I had a wonderful dinner at Yella on the Water last night. So relaxing to sit on the deck, which is supplied with blankets if needed. The chicken wings are out of this world. And chocolate creme brûlée…need I say more?

I took a ride to Salem this week (I actually took two rides to Salem this week….did YOU know the Peabody Essex Museum is closed on Mondays?…..I will check ahead of time in the future….) and was pleased to see Friendship in her home port. It was nice to see her in all her glory.

The dramatic sky offered renewed views to some already spectacular sights.

Sometimes you just need a baby whale relaxing and rejoicing on its back in the ocean. Thank you for the Zen moment Cape Ann Whale Watch!

It was a pretty day so I thought Lobsta Land might be a good idea for dinner. Blueberry cider, steak and key lime pie! Too bad Jim is out of town……..sorry, not sorry.

And, a bonus visitor to the marsh. Can you see the deer out there?

One of the Trails and Sails events this year is a tour of Cape Pond Ice scheduled for 11 Am This Saturday September 28. We went last week with a couple dozen others and Scott Memhard led a very entertaining tour. Many of the participants were local, and I recommend you stop down if you are available. We are very proud of this company’s history and adaptations to the times.

I took a ride to Crane Beach recently. It was so nice to be greeted by the attendant with a cheery wave and a sincere “Thanks for being a member!”. It was a lovely afternoon and I was rewarded with a handsome preening egret.

Took a ride out on choppy waters with the Hurricane II recently in search of whales and other marine life. We saw 6-8 humpbacks deep diving and lobtailing (slapping tails onto water surface). As always, the captain John and crew were wonderful, especially naturalist Jamie. They are magnificent!

Spotted these hardworking crews out on the water one recent afternoon.

The dog is wondering where the “Dog Bar” is that he’s heard so much about. He’s ready for his “Barkardi” and Coke.

I am contemplating how roads signs can teach life lessons.

Here’s an opportunity to recycle those electronics and bikes you have cluttering up the garage or basement. Sat Sept 28 Our Lady of Good Voyage church.

Trials and Sails is a 10 day event held across Essex County and includes a wide range of activities designed to highlight the variety of indoor and outdoor experiences available to the public. This year’s event runs from Friday Sept 20 to Sunday Sept 29 but you can get a headstart tonight in Ipswich at the Ipswich Visitor Center Gallery at the Hall Haskell House 36 South Main Street.  A reception will be held there 6-8 PM to “Meet the Woman Business Owners” along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway (our own Pauline Bresnahan of Pauline’s Gifts is among these women). Art and artisan pieces from these businesses will be shown and offered for sale in the Gallery at the Ipswich Visitor Center until Sunday Sept 22 from 10 AM to 5 PM. It’s a great take. I stopped by yesterday and visited with Anne from Lost Treasures in Rowley. Additional Trails and Sails info available here.

You’ll be hearing more about these events in the upcoming days. My calendar is pretty full of plans to attend a number of them.

On the water, in the trees, on firm ground….Glosta folks hard at work.

I stopped at the Blue Marlin Grille in Essex recently. I ordered a Reuben Sandwich and it was the best I’ve had lately! The corned beef was piled high and there was plenty of sauerkraut and dressing (sometimes these sandwiches can be kind of dry….not my preference). The cider margarita on the fall drink menu was a nice treat also. The restaurant was busy on this weekday afternoon and the atmosphere was pleasant. A nice little Byway stop.

A colorful reflection on the water as if reflecting the glory of the schooners on the adjacent dock. So pretty year round,

It was time for another cemetery stroll; this time at the Magnolia Point Cemetery on Magnolia Avenue. A Guide to Cemeteries in Essex County, Massachusetts indicates this is a city owned cemetery tended to by the Gloucester DPW. It further says that individual burials are not recorded, but that there may be a list of some deed holders with the DPW.

It’s well taken care of (thanks, DPW!), small and nicely laid out. I didn’t notice many religious icons but there are several well known family names. I was looking for one grave for the FindAGrave project but did not locate it; honestly, I was rather grateful since it was for a young child and hose always make me a little sad.

It’s great this information is shared on the sign. That’s pretty rare in cemeteries.

I especially love these stone markers:

My crystal ball (known as CB) also enjoyed recent schooner sails. These are from the Ardelle. Sometimes it’s a good exercise to look at the world with a different perspective.

Lovely gardens on the boulevard are still looking great! Thank you Generous Gardeners! You can support their efforts if you need some daylilies for a $10 donation by emailing susan@generousgarders.org with the desired variety (take a picture of the flower or the tag). Seems like a wonderful way to spread the beauty across Cape Ann!

September 11 seems like an appropriate day to highlight our boulevard flags and the corresponding military members honored there including Richard Montenero, Capt. Antonino Romeo, SN David G. Ouellet, Capt. Joe and Jennie Auditore, Murph Tarr, Chad Johnson and Jane M. Booth.