Author: Pat D

Sharing information about a free open house tomorrow at Maritime Gloucester to help celebrate 20 years of the Ocean Explorers program.

It’s Flag Day so fly ’em if you have ’em! This is from the Welcome Center at Stage Fort Park.

This may look like another one of my bird posts…..and there is good reason for that! However, this experience reminds me of the importance of pushing yourself a little past your comfort zone for your own benefit. I participated in a “Babes of Summer” bird photography workshop in Middlesex County this week. I left our island to pursue a passion and hone my skills as well as to enrich my interests. It was a little bit out of my normal comfort zone but my interest in photographing bird families overrode my discomfort. As pleased as I am with the results, I am even happier to return to Cape Ann having accomplished a personal goal. Maybe it’s time for you to consider the same. If you do, I’d love to hear about it. Additional photos and story details at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

What a cute little place Last Stop on East Main Street is! Jim loves it there and thought it should be shared with you! Perfect stop on your way to summer fun.

As mentioned on the podcast, the best thing I ate last week was the Washington St. salad at the Saltwater Grille on Washington St. Hands down my favorite steak tip salad. Jim enjoyed his Pilgrim burger. Great food combined with the friendly atmosphere and helpful staff, this lunch was a win-win. See you there again soon!

When the calendar turned to June, I started celebrating Margarita Monday again. To start the season, we went to a favorite hangout for a favorite margarita: Minglewood on Rogers St. It was a beautiful afternoon so we sat on the patio for a snack and some libations. Hands down, my favorite “regular” margarita. We had fried cauliflower and buffalo chicken tenders while the ravenous seagulls were watching carefully. Perfectly relaxing. Thanks Minglewood! Another win.

I woke up at an unholy hour and wasn’t able to get back to sleep a few days ago so I headed out to chase the sunrise. I wound up at Good Harbor Beach to welcome another glorious day on Cape Ann. It was worth losing the sleep.

We returned to visit the On The Rocks Bar at The Cove at Rockport (1 King Street formerly Peg Leg Inn) on a beautiful afternoon a few days ago. We ordered libations (Modelito and prosecco) and began to people watch. We took advantage of Fresco’s Seaside next door and walked over to pick up some snacks. You are welcome to bring the food from Fresco’s onto the patio while enjoying the view and the libations. It’s a nice little afternoon break. You might want to give it a try.

Did you know Maritime Gloucester is hosting weekly schooner challenges all summer on Tuesday evenings? We didn’t either but we happened to have tickets for Tuesday’s sail which was the first of the summer’s schooner challenges. These challenges are designed to give the apprentices some real life experience out on the water as captains. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!

We were aboard the Isabella and AJ as our captain. The Ardelle was captained by Jack and Ben. It was a perfect evening to be on the water as the sun was setting. Good natured rivalry between the crews added to the enjoyment. We assisted with crew duties which may have impacted the results of the first race………I think we’ll do this again on another Tuesday soon. But other sails are available as well, so check MaritimeGloucester.org if you are interested. Great idea for visiting company!

“Ask and you shall receive” was in full play recently when I visited Sabine at the newly opened 80 Main Antiques & Ephemera on Main St in Gloucester. I do love ephemera and I mentioned I was always on the lookout for cut glass tumblers. Within a few days, I heard back from Sabine that she had some available for me to look at. I came home with 2 beautiful (and reasonably priced) glasses to class up my evening cocktail hour. Thanks Sabine! Looking forward to returning.

This kind of preparation in St. Peter’s Square can only mean that Fiesta will be here soon! Are you ready?

The first of Annie and Squam’s eggs at the LobstaLand nest has hatched! These are screenshots from the Essex Greenbelt Osprey Cam just a half hour or so after the egg hatched. The second and final egg is expected to hatch in about a week. We will be watching and waiting. We will also be hoping for the best between the two hatchlings born several days apart in the same next. Thank you neighbor Brianne H for the tip! If you squint and look very closely, you may be able to see the chick and the egg.

We left the store and headed over to DeCKlyns on the Harbor Loop for dinner recently. We had not been there yet this season and were happy to return. The atmosphere is lively and the help is friendly and helpful (shout out to our server Nate and his trainee!). The outdoor bar was full and the dining areas were busy on this beautiful late afternoon. We had a fish sandwich and the double burger. We are glad to see them back this season and look forward to returning.

We had not seen this adult eagle in quite a while and I was beginning to worry for its well being. We saw the younger partner of this pair pretty regularly but the adult hadn’t been spotted. But we finally found the adult and the pair together in the area of West Gloucester. I am VERY relieved. They had exhibited some nesting activity and I have hopes for the future for these two.

The library construction is moving right along and the apartments on Middle St at the former YMCA are beginning to look like real apartments!

We were delighted to find that Russell Orchard on Argilla Rd in Ipswich has re-opened for the season. It is hands-down one of our favorite spots to stop, shop and have a little wander. The farm animals were scarce the day we visited but it’s still a great stop for plants, baked goods, ice cream, provisions and wines.

Today May 30 is the original date to recognize Memorial Day (previously Decoration Day for those of us of a “certain age”). I like to take a pause every year on May 30 in honor of the tradition.

There was a beautiful black crowned night heron standing majestically on a branch over a pond along Essex Ave recently. I think he was waiting for me.

The recent rains have made the backyard colors really pop!

Thank you to the small army of volunteers who helped place flags this weekend at the local cemeteries in an effort to recognize all our deceased veterans. This is Beechbrook Cemetery and there were at least a dozen people helping there. Enjoy your weekend and remember our deceased veterans.