Simply Magnolia

Magnolia Harbor is a quintessential, small New England Harbor.

The tide is out and boats are on their moorings for the night.

There are hidden treasures lurking here.

The low tide has pulled back the covers.

One reason why you don't come too close to shore even at high tide!

One fishing boat going back to port.

A larger ship on the horizon.

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Simply Magnolia

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Simply Fishing

From Stage Fort Park, overlooking Gloucester Harbor,
they were out there for all to see.

Fishing from the shore.

Working the traps.

Working the line from a small boat.

Even the gulls were looking (and catching!) fish.

Simply Fishing

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Simply Musical!

Sunday night in Rockport means it's time to strike up the band,
And that means the Rockport Legion Band!

Tonight's program featured music from Gershwin, Erickson,
Jewell, Richard Rogers, and naturally a few Sousa marches.

Add in a polka, some ragtime, and even a Puccini for good measure.

This evening, Steve Thomas was at the helm.

The Wanderer Polka featured Jason Howard on trumpet.

To be as good as the Rockport Legion Band,
you need to build on a good, solid base.

A band for all generations of listeners.

Simply Musical

Check out the Rockport Legion Band next time you're in Rockport.

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Simply Fresh!

Actually, it's Freshwater Cove in Gloucester.

Freshwater Cove gets its name from the freshwater
springs found here back in the 17th century.

An end of a picture-perfect August afternoon.

Two very different style homes border the cove.

Boats resting until their next call.

Simply Fresh.

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Simply Waiting

A quiet day at Magnolia Beach.
Two bring a kayak in,
While others sit idly by.

Waiting
Written by Carl Sandburg

TODAY I will let the old boat stand
Where the sweep of the harbor tide comes in
To the pulse of a far, deep-steady sway.
And I will rest and dream and sit on the deck
Watching the world go by
And take my pay for many hard days gone I remember.

I will choose what clouds I like
In the great white fleets that wander the blue
As I lie on my back or loaf at the rail.
And I will listen as the veering winds kiss me and fold me
And put on my brow the touch of the world's great will.

Daybreak will hear the heart of the boat beat,
Engine throb and piston play
In the quiver and leap at call of life.
To-morrow we move in the gaps and heights
On changing floors of unlevel seas
And no man shall stop us and no man follow
For ours is the quest of an unknown shore
And we are husky and lusty and shouting-gay.

Simply Waiting

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Simply A Cruise (Part 4)

The 2010 Thacher Island Lighthouse Cruise continued back around Cape Ann.

As we approached Straitsmouth Island, a sailboat provides perspective.

Click on any image to enlarge it.

Thacher Island Twin Lights through the gap.

The sun is setting quickly.

Simply A Cruise!

Can't wait until next year.

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Simply A Cruise (Part 3)

The Thacher Island Lighthouse Cruise continues down the backside of Rockport
into Ipswich Bay.

The sun is just beginning to set.

The plan is to be back off Thacher Island for the sunset.

Click on any image to enlarge it.

All evening, we had an escort jumping the waves behind the Hurricane II.
I suspect that it's a nightly activity.

The next lighthouse on the tour is Annisquam Light.

Back up the coast towards Rockport.

Just outside Lanes Cove.

Simply A Cruise (to be continued)!

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Simply A Cruise (Part 2)

The lighthouse cruise continued up the coast of Gloucester towards Rockport and the twin lights on Thacher Island.

Click on any image to see a larger version.

The history of the twin lights can be read on New England Lighthouses.

A sailboat dances in the water in front of Thacher Island.

The next lighthouse on the tour is Straitsmouth Island Lighthouse. Since the island is closed to the public, the best view of it can only be seen from th water.

Simply A Cruise (to be continued)

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