Author: Pat D

When friends come to town and you suggest going out to try and catch a pretty sunset……mic drop……thank you Lanes Cove! Never a disappointment. Thanks for the gorgeous glowing evening!

We took an afternoon whale watch with Cape Ann Whale Watch last week and it was the most amazing watch I have yet experienced. Our crew capt John and naturalist Tina and staff took the long ride out almost to Cape Cod in order to find these feeding whales for us. It was very much worth the extra time riding out there. There was very active feeding activity with at least 20 different whales. Honestly, it was a little overwhelming to have activity left, right and everywhere around you. The crew was busily filming the experience for themselves, which is a good indicator right there of how unusual and awesome it was. Tina sums it up nicely in this short video. If you have not been out, you really should go! It’s a great half day activity from any of the whale watches in our area. For additional pictures and story details, please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

Sharing news posted to Facebook from Arts Abound in Magnolia. Please support our friend Sue Wheeler and local artisans in whatever way you are able. Fair sailing Sue!

Sharing news borrowed from Cape Ann Lanes Facebook page that their new beer garden will be opening today at 11 AM. Looks wonderfully relaxing.

The three osprey chicks in the LobstaLand nest have been named Pip, Squeak, and Ollie and are now about a month or so old. If you watch the Essex Greenbelt Osprey Cam as diligently as I do (some might go so far as to call it an obsession), you will notice the parents Annie and Squam taking excellent care of them. In this series of screenshots taken over a couple of days’ time, you can clearly see the chicks are very well camouflaged in the nest and have a parent providing cover as additional protection. It’s quite delightful to watch them grow. In one of these screenshots, you can see a couple of kayakers checking the nest out from a safe distance. The Essex Greenbelt Osprey project gratefully accepts donations if you are interested and able. They are also seeking volunteers. Enjoy!

I hope you will stop by to see Pat D’s Photos at Castaways Vintage Cafe Artisan Market tomorrow July 9 from 9-4. Enter from Main Street or from Rogers St to enjoy the local music, artisans and vintage clothing….in addition to great drinks and treats. I’ll be offering notecards, magnets, coasters, prints and more featuring local scenes such as the ones shown here. Please stop by and say that you saw it on Good Morning Gloucester!

Summer is a busy time at the cut bridge. Big boats, small boats, working boats, pleasure boats…..well, you get the picture. It’s a sight that always draws onlookers.

Sharing an update from the Maritime Gloucester Instagram page….some very exciting news for summertime Tuesdays on Harbor Loop!

It was such a pretty day and the Little River Landing is a peaceful spot for some quiet contemplation. Even the geese families agree!

It might not come right to your mind when you are thinking about where to have lunch, but put Laneside Pub and Brewery at Cape Ann Lanes on Gloucester Ave in your rotation. This small pub adjoins the bowling lanes and will soon have outside dining as well. The atmosphere is pleasant and soothing, which might come as a surprise in a bowling alley. Jillian gets a shout out as our friendly server. We had a nice chat with owner Nick while his wife Caitlyn was busy with customers and children. When things might be hectic downtown, this is a logical choice for a nice quiet lunch.

I had the cheeseburger and Jim got their famous loaded tots. Jim also ordered Trophy, one of the brews which he enjoyed very much. Thanks guys!

I couldn’t really decide if these pictures were more about the flags or the gorgeous sky, but since it’s the 4th, I will go with flags……..Happy 4th of July. Have fun. Stay safe.

Every now and then, we like to stop down to Cape Pond Ice to check out what is new. And to check out what is old too, because this little shop is a neat blend of history and retail. Part museum, part shop located on Commercial Street, always has something interesting to offer. Sometimes it is Scott himself or his staff. Sometimes it is the merchandise. Sometimes there’s a new display. You just never know, except you do know it’s all pretty “cool” (see what I did there?)

It was a spectacular, but quiet, midweek morning at Half Moon Beach earlier this week. It’s one of my favorite spots. Ohhhhh….that sky!

Preparations are underway along the boulevard for Sunday’s parade and concerts. The concerts will feature Mystery Meat and Runaround Sound and will begin at 5:30 Sunday. The parade steps off from the high school at 6 pm (route shared below). The concert will continue after the parade has passed the stand. Fireworks scheduled for 9:30. Welcome back Horribles Parade, Concert and Fireworks!

A great deal of progress seems to have been made at the new street hockey rink at Stage Fort Park. Some additional information available here. I think it’s looking very sharp!

The Antonio Gentile Bandstand Concert Series is back on summer Sunday evenings starting July 10 at 7 PM at the bandstand at Stage Fort Park. Here’s the link for further information. This event has been greatly missed by many and we are so pleased to see it return.

We hadn’t been to the Boat House Grille in Essex for a while so we stopped by for lunch recently. We were not disappointed! Friendly service, relaxing atmosphere, delicious food, varied menu, creative drinks all added up to another wonderful dining experience. Thanks to our server Hannah for being so attentive and efficient.

Our first stop in the Bar Harbor Photo Tour was to a working waterfront jam packed with lobster gear, fog and character. Just my luck that we’d be stopping at a sight so familiar to me, but it was unique for many of the others on the trip. As they were ohhhing and ahhing over their opportunities to chat with real lobstermen, I was standing along the sidelines observing. The tour guide came over to stage whisper that SOMETIMES these lobstermen can get very salty in the local bars especially in the off season. Is that so????? HAHAHA….. as much as the location may change, the character does not. And I am grateful for that.

From a working wharf in Maine:

I have seen a couple of inquiries online recently wondering about this project at Stage Fort Park. It is to be a “state of the art” outdoor street hockey rink and you can follow them here on this Facebook link. It’s really shaping up! You can find a projected final project at this link here.

Sharing this screenshot of an update from the City regarding reach bags and collection. Take notes of the dates and the particulars regarding size and number of bags.