Sunday, September 20, 2009

To Cape Ann


September 14, 2009
Rockport, Massachusetts


It’s been a while since my last entry – the computer was down for a week, things were busy at work, and then I went away on my last bit of vacation !
For about 5 years now, Mom & I have visited Rockport, Massachusetts. We stay at a place right across the street from a small beach.


As a matter of fact, a lot of things are small here, but that is part of the charm of the place.

Rockport is at the tip of Cape Ann (“the other Cape”), north of Boston. First settled in 1680, then in the 1800s a fishery, and later known for its granite. Since the late 1800s it has been popular as an artists’ colony.
The light here is indeed special.


We arrived late in the day, and after quickly unpacking, went to one of our favorite local sandwich shops, ordered our dinner to-go, and went across to Good Harbor Beach to dine al fresco.
We had a fine view of Salt Island.



(And wouldn't you know it: Thoreau visited here in September of 1858. He walked near the shore, all the way around from Salem to Gloucester up to Annisquam and back again – and stopped near here to boil up a pot of tea for his dinner.)

Wonder if he had company like this?



Well - he always did some botanizing wherever he went, so I took a look around by the dunes.
Saw wild radish (with pale yellow flowers),
beach rose (in rosehip stage),



beach clotbur (looking spikey)



and dusty miller growing wild.


After dinner it was nice to go a-walking back in Rockport, even though the town rolls up the sidewalks pretty early.
We walked to the end of Bearskin Neck, a long narrow peninsula where small former fish-shacks have been converted to tourist shops.

Looking back at the shore, we could see our inn. (that's it on the far left)


After the sun went down, the sea and sky took on a pink glow.
It was good to breathe the salt-air again.

4 comments:

  1. Ah - the sea, the sea, the beautiful sea. It draws one as much as the mountains do. Thanks for sharing.c

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  2. How beautifully your photos have captured that special quality of light and air you find only at the seashore. And I love the golden glow of your inn as the evening settles in. I can hear the sea and smell the salt air just looking at your photos. Thank you!

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  3. Thanks for this great post -- the Rebecca half of us has been out 'East', but the Kenton half has not, so this was a great post for Rebecca to point out how beautiful and adventurous it looks. You have us talking about making a trip out in that direction!

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  4. hi everyone -
    Ellen - as in the mountains, the northeast seashore can be completely touristy or all-natural, or a blend of the two.
    Jackie - wish you were there, it's the sort of place a photographer walks around and puts crop-marks on every scene ...
    Kenton & Rebecca - stick around, there are more coastal adventures to share, you will be planning your visit soon!

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