A Weekend in Gloucester!

Good Harbor beach is always packed in good weather but restricted parking keeps it reasonable.

I took this photo of the beach off the internet so you could see how big the area is. This is at low tide

A bridge crosses an inlet to the marches at the 
far end of the beach from Gail's home. 

We spent a wonderful long weekend at our friend Gail's second home in Gloucester, MA in early September and the weather was perfect. I met Gail's husband Harvey back in 1969 and we were close friends until he passed a few year's ago. White Shutters was his parent's second home and I've been going there for over 50 years. It is at the far private end of Good Harbor Beach and overlooks Salt Island, which is connected to the beach by a sand bar that appears briefly at low tide. We always enjoyed going out there to explore. Our kids grew up with Gail and Harvey's two children, Leslie & Colin and Colin is my godson. 

Brian, Pat, Scott, Gail and Carole out on the front porch.

Other old friends, Pat and Brian, were visiting from California and came up for the day. And another old friend Carole, who lives full time nearby came to visit as well. We had some lovely times together talking, walking and dining. Besides Good Harbor beach, Long Beach is also just a short walk away. We visited both but the water is too cold for my taste (now, it wasn't when I was young!). 

Scott and I also enjoyed an afternoon out at Rockport at the end of the Cape Ann peninsula. This has a fine protected harbor and some more great beaches, although smaller. We came several times in our sailboat, Scott Free. Originally the home of the Agawam tribe, it was first explored by Europeans by Samuel de Champlain in 1605. Like Gloucester it was a fishing port but now it's an artist and tourist center. Gloucester still has a big commercial fishing industry. We enjoyed the views of the beaches and water - and the really fine galleries and shops. 

Long Beach has a boardwalk along the whole length
and a line of charming cottages facing the beach. 
Pat and Gail having a stroll. 

Behind the main street in Rockport are parks and
small harbors and beaches

Most of the houses have small but lovely gardens

A jetty allowed us to look down along a rocky
stretch lined with homes & shops

There are several enclosed secure harbors

Gracious homes and typical New England churches
still remain downtown. 

One of the beaches near the end of the downtown.

The shops also had delightful flower boxes and pots.