Author: Pat D

Sharing information from Howard Blackburn restaurant Facebook page regarding Labor Day weekend:

Many times throughout our recent vacation, we found ourselves reminded of home. This visit to Krystal Acres Alpaca Store and Farm is one example. GMG Jim spotted it so off we went in search of fun. And it was vastly more entertaining than I imagined. We were thinking of our dear friend Donna and her love of the Marshall Farm alpacas. So, cheers Marshall Farms! We now love alpacas too. The video should be viewed with the sound ON if you have never heard alpaca vocalization, as it startled me quite a bit. If you ever visit that part of the country, stop by for some extra fun.

These were taken several days ago but I just need to point out how glorious all the flowers are in the Generous Gardeners plots around the city. The lilies had an especially pretty glow under the summer sky along the boulevard on this day. One more time: thank you Generous Gardeners!!! PS they accept donations;….. **Thank you Bobbie for the clarification that these are Daylilies**

Our fishing boats are endlessly fascinating to me. Shout out to Still Kicking, Connemara Bay II, Sabrina Maria, Razzo, Cat Eyes, Sandollar, Hard Merchandise, Falcon, Hot Tuna and No Limits.

We recently took a sail on the Lannon (highly recommended especially on a brutally humid afternoon) and were visited by Capt Heath’s gull-friend Polly 5 Toes. As depicted in a recent children’s book by Sy Montgomery, Polly 5 Toes visits the Lannon seeking oyster crackers from the obliging captain. She came to the schooner twice on our sail that day and performed as anyone might hope. Polly has been visiting the Lannon for 8 years, Capt Heath reports. Thanks for stopping by Polly.

We just needed someplace to cool off and have a snack between events recently. We had not been to the Topside Grill on Rogers St in quite a while, so we stopped there for respite. We had drinks and appetizers to hold us over until dinner later. Jim had potato skins and I had the bacon wrapped scallops. We sat at the bar and Tyler provided great service. We’ll be back!

Always something pretty to find along the Harbor Loop and Maritime Gloucester!

When we are going on a road trip and we say “Need anything from Gloucester?”

I find sunflowers extremely photogenic and soothing so I thought you might agree that more sunflowers is beneficial to your well being. Relax and enjoy.

Pavilion Beach is a great little spot for many reasons but mostly because it’s relaxing with quite a lot going on in the vicinity. Hail Pavilion Beach!

Sharing information from Maritime Gloucester’s Instagram page regarding Food Truck Tuesday today Aug 23 2022:

Just a stroll along the walkway behind the former Cape Ann Brewing on a perfect August afternoon…….ahhhh, Gloucester!

Despite spending most of our adult lives in Central New York, we had not visited a winery in quite a while. We stopped at San Juan Vineyard mostly out of curiosity and nostalgia. It was a charming sight obviously ready for weddings and other events. The small tasting room offered a flight of 4 for our enjoyment. GMG Jimmy devised a brilliant system for ranking the wines which I thought you might enjoy and learn from. We did purchase a bottle of his first choice to share at some future event.

Friends visited from upstate New York and their agenda had been kind of a hectic agenda up to their stop in Gloucester. We thought a nice calm sail around the harbor aboard the Ardelle was just the ticket. It was a lovely day, the crew praising the dry easterly winds (which doesn’t sound so good, but apparently is). Harold Burnham himself accompanied us following his underwater inspection of the boat just prior to our departure. Capt Phil guided us around the shoreline for about 2 hours with a small number of other passengers. It was just perfectly peaceful and calm way for us to catch up and enjoy the beauties of our harbor and shore. Check it out soon before summer slams the door shut. Thank you Erin and Paul for giving us another excuse to spend some time on the water!

Our backyard is ceaselessly entertaining. It’s August, so the bees start to gather in and near the hummingbird nectar. This poses a dilemma for the hungry hummingbirds. Sometimes they decide it’s best to all get along together for a common purpose. There’s a lesson in there! At the same time, a mother deer and fawn also come for a visit and seem unthreatened by much bigger creatures like us. They allow us to watch and photograph freely while they go about their natural business. We love our life in Gloucester!

We went for a ride in search of a nearby lighthouse (Cattle Point Lighthouse) and came across these eagles along the way. So pleased to be able to report I have now documented eagles on both coasts. On the path up to the lighthouse, we had a face to face with this fox. He’d been running off with an egg in its mouth (which you can see if you look closely) and then we ran into him further along the path. I assume it was the same one anyhow and he seemed to have little fear of us. He almost seemed to be asking us to follow him. I have never been that close to a fox! And he was the size of a medium dog, a healthy well fed dog/fox.

I was on my shift at the Welcome Center at Stage Fort Park with FOB Susan and she mentioned she had an email from Serenitee for $10 off lunch at Hale Street Tavern that day. Lo and behold, I had the same email as well as an appetite so off we went to Hale Street Tavern in Beverly for lunch with some help from Serenitee. We had not been there since the “before-times” (pandemic) so the email offer was a timely reminder to give it a go. (PS: we’ve said it before, but the Serenitee membership is free and a NO BRAINER)

Jackie was our server, the restaurant was busy on this Thursday afternoon. Jim had shrimp chowder and a Cobb Salad. I had the Smokehouse Burger. The food was served quickly and was tasty and filling. We needed to speak with Jackie regarding one of the food items and the minor issue was resolved quickly and in a friendly manner. We noticed a couple at an adjacent table being VERY specific in their requests for changes to their food as listed in the menu and Jackie was gracious and accommodating with them as well.

Sometimes pleasant service such as this goes a long way toward customer satisfaction as it did for us on this day. We all are aware that businesses are struggling with getting supplies and employees so when an employee is especially responsive, it’s a huge bonus. Well done, Hale Street Tavern.

Just how big ARE the pests in Washington state?

Thank you, Linda, from All Purpose Flowers on Lexington Ave in Magnolia for sending my husband home with this gorgeous arrangement of locally grown flowers! There’s something special about fresh flowers in the house. These are wonderful.

Make a stop at Ocean Alliance and the Paint Factory tonight foe the Cape Ann Makers Market. This is always a great event.