Whatever the ultimate reason for the visit, we don't ever let a trip to Gloucester pass by without some quality time at the beach. This time we headed to Plum Island, which is a great place to avoid the crowds... if you can find a parking spot. There are only about a dozen parking spots at the far end of the island, which keeps the human masses to a minimum and gives the birds and other critters some breathing room. It is a National Wildlife Refuge, after all.
We lucked out and scored a parking spot right away, and from there we chased Aiden as he ran out over the dune boardwalk to the wide white ocean beach. He had a great time jumping over the breaking waves (just his size) and playing with "Scoop" (backhoe loader) in the sand, and eating snacks on his blanket. Momoo and Dadoo breathed in the treat of salty ocean air, scanned the beach for shorebirds, and soaked our feet in the chilly water. The only thing making the morning a bit less than perfect were the hoards of greenhead flies that came out of the blue as the day began to warm up. We were forewarned though; a sign at the entrance booth says "It's Greenhead Season! No Refunds!" We had a good laugh imagining someone actually demanding their whole $5 per car fee be refunded because the bugs were too bad. I'm sure it's happened...
We were staying at a small motor inn in Rockport, one town over from Gloucester. It was a great location, right in walking distance of a small beach and historic Bearskin Neck (something about a bear washing on shore there in the 1700s and terrorizing the town). It's one of those kitschy, touristy, insanely cute coastal strips with t-shirt and souvenir shops, ice cream places, and artist galleries, and we loved it just like you should if you are, in fact, a tourist. I had a meaty lobster roll, Andy found the best guacamole he'd ever tasted, and Aiden got a red sox t-shirt and a cupcake with about 2 inches of chocolate ganache on the top!
..............................................Bearskin Neck 
Aiden in Rockport somewhere
Dinghies in Rockport
Rockport
We also had a BBQ at Micah and Becky's house and the kids tackled each other and anyone they could drag down (Becky's Dad here...)
1 comment:
The Rockport shot sort of reminds me of Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. Very quaint. Is that Aiden in the Sox hat and grey shorts? Looks like he could play for the NY Giants.
Grandma Chris
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