Author: Pat D

We took a 3 hour ride to the Shepaug Bald Eagle Observatory in Southbury CT one rainy gloomy day last week seeking out eagles. It’s a well designed observation area near the Shepaug Hydroelectric Power Station manned by knowledgeable and friendly volunteers. There are opportunities for bird watching above and beyond the majestic eagles too. That was a good distraction because it was gloomy and rainy so the eagles were deterred from visiting. We did observe one eagle flying in to hunt, feeding at waterside and in a tree but it was from a pretty good distance as you can see here. Can you see the eagle in flight?? (It’s there I promise you)

Anyhow, 6 hours round trip and only one distant eagle. We returned to Gloucester and immediately located the pair we’ve been following near Little River as if they wondered where we had been. Up close and personal right in our hometown. Lesson learned.

We came across this very cool buoy shack while we were in Maine recently. Of course because we were not far up the coast and because Maine is well known for lobsters, we expected to see similar landscapes. And we did, but this particular shack could probably serve as a graphic definition for the word “ramshackle” ( which is a great word by the way). I just found it fascinating as it seems to be on the very edge of falling apart.

It’s always interesting to take a little walk around the Maritime Gloucester Pier on the Harbor Loop. On this day, the gig rowers appeared to be doing some reorganization so their oars were out and made for a a striking sight. The pier is open to the public and available throughout the year.

I recently reported on our overnight trip to York Maine to visit the Nubble Lighthouse. In passing, I mentioned our hotel : Viewpoint Hotel. We had a room overlooking the lighthouse which we were able to book at nearly the last minute for a very reasonable price. So, for whatever reason, I wasn’t expecting to be staying in this ultra modern (for our experience) room. Amenities included one of those showers with 4-5 different shower spray options, electronic curtains, touchscreen mirrors and other items we are just not used to having available to us during a hotel stay. Here are two examples. I am not sure how I feel about the vertical placement of the toilet paper but I can report I loved the hospitality tray! What do you think about vertically placed toilet paper? I guess it’s not that much different from placing the roll on the back of the toilet for easy access…..

We went to 525 Tavern in Magnolia on Lexington Ave recently for dinner. It is basically in our backyard and we just wanted comfort and good food. The visit was a win on both those counts. Although I did not take my usual number of photos, the meals were so yummy that I just had to share. I had something from the specials menu: chicken parm and Jim had the Haddock Francaise. He loved his so much that it was “The Best Thing He Ate” this week for the podcast. I very much enjoyed the generous portion of chicken parm and took enough home for another meal. Thanks again 525 for a wonderful experience! PS Happy Leap Year Day and special Happy Birthday wishes to Leap Year Baby Paula Ryan O’Brien who will love this food post…….

It was a quiet morning amidst the fog yesterday morning at Stage Fort Park. Eerie yet a little bit like a comforting blanket. The tribute left to honor a birthday was especially poignant. Rest in peace Michael.

We took a quick overnight trip to York Maine to see the Nubble Lighthouse at sunrise. We stayed in a wonderful hotel (ViewPoint Hotel) right in York that allowed a view of the lighthouse right from our room. It was very reasonable in the off season and if you ever decide to take the short ride north (less than 2 hours) to stay overnight, I suggest you give them a look.

Views of the lighthouse are accessible and well marked. Here are some daytime shots, evening and early morning views for you to enjoy in case you can’t get there yourself. It’s well worth a day trip especially for anyone who likes lighthouses.

We stopped by Boo Bird on Central St in Manchester for lunch recently. We had not been there in quite a while and we’ve been wanting to return. It was quiet in there that afternoon and Jennifer took great care of us. Jim really enjoyed the opportunity to build his own burger to enjoy with the tater tots. I tried the steak and cheese sub which was just a little different that a typical steak and cheese. I liked it very much. Thanks, Boo Bird, for a great lunch experience!

The light was so pretty along the back shore recently and drew my attention to these carefully placed cairns.

We hadn’t come across clammers in quite a while and I always find this interesting. The tides have been quite low recently and I hope these clammers had good luck.

Apparently it was one year ago that I posted about how pretty it was at Tuck’s Point that day (click here for post). We recently went down to check out how the recent high tides had been affecting that area and this is what we found. Mother Nature at work.

Seaport Grille with the win for a Monday evening meal in February. You may be aware several of our area restaurants are closed for the season or for brief winter breaks. Therefore it can be a little tricky to find someplace open especially on a Monday in February. We landed at the Seaport Grille on Rogers St recently and we were very glad we did. As always, the service was friendly and accommodating to my request to go “off the menu” just a little. Jim had the shrimp platter and I had the filet (done to perfection). We were so full we needed to take the key lime pie as take out for dessert. That key lime deliciousness gave us at least 2 lovely desserts at home. I just love the Seaport coffee to top off my meal when we go there. It was a lovely way to have a Monday evening meal! **I suspect you may see a similar post upcoming from Joey, so you know if Seaport Grille pleases a foodie such as himself and an ordinary palate such as mine, you’re good to go.

I don’t know much about this older building along Washington St in the Bay View area, but it’s character and position up a slight hill along the roadway intrigues me. I’ve long wanted to stop and take a few shots of this. It is apparently a former church which has become residential. What stories the walls could tell!

Joey and I got our Irish Sweepstakes ticket as offered by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. I am pretty sure this is the winning number, but there are several other prizes so get yours right at their office at 24 Harbor Loop. If the $100 buy in seems intimidating, split it with others like we do! Adds to the fun of the event.

The tides had been running pretty high last week, so we went down to Lane’s Cove to check it out. It was just about high tide under a sunny sky and quite striking.

Some of our seal friends were thermo-regulating on the exposed rocks at Brace Cove during a recent low tide. It had been a while since I stopped over to check on them, so it was a sight for sore eyes. A great job has been done along the berm between Niles Pond and Brace Cove to repair the January storm damage.

From our friends Susan Gould Coviello regarding an upcoming opportunity to help Cape Ann Plein Air:

Morning! Cape Ann Plein Air is hosting monthly Palate to Palette artist dinners at various Cape Ann restaurants on Cape Ann. The next one is at Oak to Ember on Feb 22 from 5-8PM. An artist will be set up painting inside while diners watch, ask questions and learn. These are very popular! Please see the attached info and please help us spread the word!

Please join us on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 5pm-8pm for Cape Ann Plein Air’s next Palate to Palette at Oak to Ember in Gloucester MA!  It’s like having a front-row seat to creativity, with plein air artist, Peter Bain, where the canvas comes alive in front of you.Watch him work and ask him questions about his art and techniques. Visit his website: pbainart.com

This event is perfect for anyone who loves art and food.

Located on Harbor Cove, Oak to Ember offers a variety of Coastal American cuisine dishes sourced from the Gloucester docks. A wood-fired grill and 500-gallon smoker add unique flavors to selected seafood and meat dishes. Homemade pastas and seasonal vegetarian offerings complement Oak to Ember’s menu. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience!

Reservations are strongly recommended.Visit oaktoember.com to view the menu and make your reservations.Watch for more information on upcoming monthly Palate to Palettes capeannpleinair.org/palate-to-palette

Cape Ann Plein Air, New England’s Premier Outdoor Painting Festival, is being held

October 5 – 13, 2024!  Artists are applying NOW and this spring we will be announcing our artists for 2024!

7 Days • 35 Artists • $20,000 in Awards

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In the calm before the expected storm, we went over to the Paint Factory on Rocky Neck for a look-around. Without fail, I find something intriguing over there and thought you might enjoy my POV (point of view).

Do you know why we LOVE to go to Cape Ann Pizza on Eastern Ave in Essex?? It’s not the GREAT food, the convenient location with easy parking or the wide range of menu options. All those are wonderful, but they are the friendliest staff on the most consistent basis EVAH. It’s like being greeted at Cheers. Often you will be called by name, they genuinely seem to care about their customers. It’s quite a pleasure to stop in. Jim got the 2 slice special and I got a large sub. I intended to take half home for later, but there was nothing left! There is nothing wrong at most of the other pizza/sub shops around, but their friendliness is outstanding every single time and we appreciate that.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Gotta love a holiday like this especially when it falls in the middle of the week in the middle of February! We appreciate all the followers, commenters and friendships we have gained through Good Morning Gloucester. If you should happen to need anything, I will be in the store today and tomorrow 11-5. Stop by and say hello! We’d love to see you.