
Smiles in Gloucester – 25094

My View of Life on the Dock


Low Tide

Took these from Shore Road near high tide












Fishing, Off Loading Mackerel, Managing Restaurant, Ice man at Cape Pond Ice, Greasy Pole Caveman, Fixing Boat, Rowing, Playing Chess – This is Gloucester!
As we are sneezing and have watery eyes, the current was full of pollen.


On a 40 degree day the kids get out their fishing gear.


Thank you Generous Gardeners for the beautiful flowers.

Growing up around America’s oldest fishing port, my boys have learned a thing or two and I couldn’t be happier. I made this little movie (click on the link to see it) after spending the day watching them work over the weekend. There is a difference between growing up near the water….and growing up on the water. From the beginning we thought it was important, living where they live, to experience the working waterfront…and to understand the rich, honorable, and often solemn history of the fishing industry. I couldn’t even begin to add up the hours we spent walking the docks and going for drives to see different types of fishing vessels and to learn the inner harbors. Thatcher, in particular, practiced reading by sounding out the names of boats…. and a big part of both Finn and Thatch’s vocabulary came from conversations about marine life and maritime history. They both love to fish…especially Finn….and they both love to sail…especially Thatch. Lobstering is something they have both enjoyed for a long time and they’ve become pretty savvy in recent years. I love that at 10 and 12 years-old they not only love being on the water, but they also aren’t afraid of some hard work. They spent six hours getting some gear into the water on Saturday and then practiced hauling a couple of traps as well. I love watching them work and I’m so happy that they have had the opportunity to grow up on the water.

We drove down a long and narrow dirt road to get to Lake Tashmoo Beach near Vineyard Haven on Monday night so that Finn and my nephew could fish while my mom, sister, and I enjoyed some drinks and a picnic on the beach for the sunset. The sky was overcast…but it still did not disappoint. Both boys are in their element while casting no matter what the conditions. As they walked out onto the jetty, the skies changed and the lighting started to strike. They were in no rush to leave… but we made them anyway.









It was so clear on Sunday, cold though, love the view from Niles Beach. You can identify the building in Boston.
