Author: Pat D

I needed dinner and did not feel like preparing anything so we decided to check out what was available at The Mill on Eastern Ave in Essex. They have a wide variety of sandwiches, prepared dinners, salads and more from which to select your favorites. I got baked haddock and laoded mac and cheese in addition to coleslaw. I also got a turkey and swiss wrap for the next day’s lunch so we left with our hands full and our stomachs looking forward to some good food! It’s a convenient place to stop and now we have some meals planned (always a bonus).

We rode over to check on the progress of the former Good Habor Beach Inn on Salt Island Road recently. Despite the cold and wind that day, the work was continuing at the new Inn at Good Harbor Beach. I understand they plan to re-open sometime this year following the complete reconstruction you see here: “blending modern luxury with its storied past to create an unparalleded guest experience”. We look forward to the results.

We noticed a new sculpture along Rte 133 gracing the frontage at Vita Bella. I took a closer look when I noticed the scarf accessory and found delightful inscriptions worked into the metal along the steer’s side. Great work! It’s quite striking and another good reason to stop by Vita Bella on Eastern Ave in Essex.

I love going down to the Little River Stubby Knowles landing any time of the year. The water, the sky, the birds all present differently at various times of the year. In this case, it had been frigid though the sky was magnificently blue. It makes a great contrast. I also noticed for the first time a Little Library down there. And of course, I imagine many already know there’s kayak storage available there as well.

It was a cold night but the atmosphere was warm and welcoming at Machaca on Rogers St. We ordered our dinners: chicken fajitas and Al Pastor while we munched the (seriously addictive) chips and salsa. I topped the dinner off with a Mexican Coffee (when in Rome…) which I enjoyed as an extra barrier against the cold outside. It’s a popular spot for families, couples and friends to gather as evidenced by the other customers. Food yummy with perfect portions; drinks cold, service friendly. Win Win.

It seems our eagles in West Gloucester are doing what northeast eagle pairs are doing these days: preparing to nest. I watched this eagle carefully observe its surroundings then take off across the water to grab nesting material and then flew back toward the nest. As it is often the males who bring the material into the next for the females to accept and re-arrange, I will assume this is the male of the pair. I was very happy to see this promising activity from our eagle friends.

We happened upon these two hawks recently in the Mussel Point area. I suspect they are a bonded pair because as one was devouring prey, the other seemed to keep watch as opposed to attempting to take it away. Just theory, of course but it’s a little unusual in my experience to have two hawks in such close proximity as one feasts and the other is on alert. It was an interesting story developing but we couldn’t stay to watch it unfold to its completion. Nature provides the most interesting tales.

Happy Valentine’s Day wishes from a couple of our favorite beaches. I hope you can make someone feel extra special today. Thank you all for following and the kind comments we hear along the way.

This new signage was recently posted along the new Sugar Magnolias location on Rogers St. Summer can’t get here fast enough!!

I was intrigued when I saw a post noting that Gloucester is hosting special visitors at the Cape Ann Marina following a sail across the ocean in the northern latitudes. The Snow Bear is anchored at Cape Ann Marina for several weeks as Skipper Stephen Bradley and First Mate Sarah Pederson contemplate their next journey. We met on this beautiful 40′ sailboat and talked a bit about their motivation and adventures. When I learned that Stephen is also an avid wildlife photographer, I knew I was in the right place.

They are warm and friendly and open to discussing their sailings. They left last spring from Ireland and took the Viking Route across the Atlantic which includes Faroes Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Newfoundland & Labrador. This journey is about 4000 nautical miles. Their biggest challenge on such journeys is always ICE but getting around Greenland presented the greatest obstacle largely due to lack of updated navigation information amongst the many many fijords and harbors. Sarah also noted that the winds had been crazy this year so that’s an additional hurdle. They are very well equipped to handle such obstacles and have lots of experience supporting them. Stephen has been sailing since he was 12 years old and Sarah started about 11 years ago.

We asked about their Gloucester and Cape Ann experiences. They noted that entering through the Cut Bridge was “interesting” though Stephen says he hit it at slack tide so they were fine. They enjoy musical entertainment so of course they were directed to the Rhumb Line. They have met some of our favorite Gloucester people including Bill Wrinn (thanks Bill!) who have helped with rides and directing them to various events and establishments.

It was a lovely visit and I nearly forgot to take pictures. If you see them around town, please say hello. They each noted that the friendliness and helpfulness they have encountered on this continent has been a bit of a surprise and reassuring. While they contemplate their next move, Sarah notes they both love “Just Sailing”. For more info check out their website and follow their adventures aboard Snow Bear.

We decided to attend the Clicquot in the Snow event at the Beauport Hotel and take advantage of the special room rates offered for that evening also. What a great decision that turned out to be! First, Beauport staff does events very very well and the Veuve Clicquot in the Snow event was no exception. The crowd was happy and enthusiastic and we enjoyed quality time with friends in a stunning venue. We were welcomed in our room with treats as well as the always excellent standard of service for hotel guests. What a great little “staycation” for us as the snowstorm come down during the night! It was a nice midwinter break especially for those of us who don’t get to warmer climes at this time of the year. Thank you Beauport Hotel and staff for another outstanding event and a lovely staycation.

We are SO fortunate at 44 Main St to have so many wonderful lunch choices within easy walking distance so I thought it was time to feature some of them. I’ll start with Virgilios on Main St. They’ve really upped their game with provisions. I strongly recommend you check out the freezer for frozen entrees, soups, pizza and more! I like to get my sandwich on a roll. The filling isn’t the important part…..it’s all about the roll! Delicious. Their Italian Ice is a daily favorite during the summer months, but I’ll bet you already knew that. The bread, the sandwiches, the cookies and sweet treats……it’s all there for you.

With my little eye. I spied this marine work being carried out in the harbor recently. I have no idea what they were working on, but I applaud them being out in the wind and cold getting it done! I couldn’t stay out there long enough myself to figure it out, so kudos to you all (probably you are thinking “just another day” for these guys and you are right but still….it was stinking cold and blustery).

The mighty Schooner Adventure appears to be underwraps at the Marine Railways. I hope her “spa treatment” is going well!

As I have noted, we plan to get to each of the 9 Serentitee group restaurants this winter. We are featuring Cala’s on Beach St in Manchester By The Sea this time. We visited with our friends Susan and Leo. We had originally planned to go to a different restaurant but that one was unexpectedly (temporarily) closed that evening and Cala’s was Susan’s suggestion. The bar area was full of a lively Friday night crowd and we were seated in the smallish dining area. It’s small but cozy and our server Kelley was informed and friendly.

Susan ordered one of the specials, shrimp scampi appetizer and Leo ordered another menu special chicken and broccoli alfredo. I got the taco salad and Jim ordered fish tacos. In addition, we ordered the edamame and you see it was a large portion with plenty leftover to take home. There was nothing left of the meals as they were delicious and well-portioned. Apple crisp finished up the night for dessert. We all enjoyed our experience and as we sat there, the restaurant continued to fill up so clearly it’s popular with a wide range of customers. Thank you Kelley and Cala’s! Another Serenitee win.

We noticed new signage at Farnham’s on Essex Ave in Essex. The March 1 opening date is coming up fast, but maybe not fast enough for some of us.

We were surprised to realize that we hadn’t been to the Azorean on Washington St in quite a while so off we went on a recent winter weekday evening. The restaurant was pretty full given it was a weekday which I always love to experience. We took note that they have re-opened on Mondays again in case that was information you didn’t have. We requested bread which arrived warm and ready for the oil dip. I ordered my favorite pizza in town…the Italian and Jim got Azorean salad with shrimp. The menu has changed a bit since the last time we were there so we were happy to find the old favorites and some new items.

We were very pleased with our selections and had enough to bring home for another meal. My dessert was a peppermint patty martini…kind of a perfect ending to a delicous and enjoyable dining experience.

I noticed this update on where to locate Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana as of February 1 and thought you might be interested too. We definitely need to know where to find these guys! From their Facebook page:

From the Annisquam Village Players regarding the annual Cabaret event:

What a great idea from Tonno Gloucester on Main St! From their Facebook page: