Me and You and a Dog Named Boo: Marblehead and Vicinity with the Zoias

Visiting David and Susan in Massachusetts was another highlight of the New England trip. They sure know how to entertain and show us the sights. One of our first days there, we drove up the coast through Gloucester to Rockport. It was a cloudy, cold day but that didn't dampen our spirits.

One of the art galleries-these paintings were made of beeswax.

The artist at this gallery was one of those guys who thinks
the world is going to hell in a hand basket, so he likes
to draw things like clowns-a real character.

A great seaside restaurant in Gloucester

Look at the size of this lobster roll. The one on the left is
half eaten.

Shopping in Rockport was great fun. The men managed
to amuse themselves sightseeing.

Lobster is obviously the business of choice.

We went to a delightful wine bar for snacks
and a cocktail before the evening's entertainment-

Tom Paxton was performing at the

Shalin Liu Performance Center-reliving

the 60s was a great time. Jim had met

Tom at the Cellar Door and Tom remembered

performing there.

Daily walks around Marblehead were a lesson in history and the beauty of the sea. Marblehead's history goes back to the mid 1600s when it was settled and became a fishing, whaling and yachting hub. There are many interesting homes in the historic district and beautiful mansions on the Neck.

I love these plaques which give the history of various homes.
The Golden Cod above is an historical symbol of the fishing
industry. It is on many of the homes.

One of our favorite restaurants: The Barnacle

Susan joined us by herself as David got
a very bad recurrent case of gout. Lobster
and alcohol probably is not a good idea for him!

There was a merry dinner one evening
at a Mexican restaurant!

One of our favorite places is Crane Beach in Ipswich with its 4 mile long
sandy beach, beautiful birds and sand dunes.

Me and my Shadow

Happy

We were thoroughly amused by these sandpipers (plovers?)-
we got a kick out of how fast they scurry along!

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We spent a day in Portland, Me.
Too busy shopping and eating to take many pictures.

We spent a beautiful day walking around The Marblehead Neck, where the other half lives and there are several Yacht Clubs.

The Castle on the Neck

The Lighthouse

We spent the afternoon sailing with Bob, who was Susan's
boss at the DA office in Salem. They are all great friends
and traveling buddies. He is a fantastic sailor.

David on the ride out to the sailboat-he did a great job
of sailing today.

Such an apropos name for their boat!

Tasting the salt air?

El Capitan

Sunset and cocktails on the deck at The
Corinthian Yacht Club

Just in time for the setting of the sun across the harbor

Can't beat this view!!!

Susan and David treated us to a last lunch before our trip to the airport - so sad to be leaving this beautiful, fun and happy place! The Landing is a restaurant we went to several times-just can't beat
the lobster rolls, the fish tacos and the clam chowder. The restaurant is literally on the water, as the dining room and deck are suspended out over the harbor by pilings. We ate here another evening after attending a wonderful play by local women (no pictures). Love that it's dog friendly!!

The waiter actually brought this pan of
water and put it on the table for Boo.
He and Jim both enjoyed their drinks.

We were entertained by the shipyard taking out the mast of this sailboat.

A last picture by the harbor

After a week and a half here being wined and dined by the Zoias, it was certainly time for us to leave them to their own devices and fly back to Denver. I think there is some kind of rule about guests staying past 3 days-and this certainly was way over 3 days!