Cape Ann
Known as Massachusetts' "other cape" (with "The Cape" being Cape Cod), Cape Ann is much smaller, but no less charming (in fact, I will make the argument that it is more). It is also closer to Boston, within less than an hour's drive, even reachable by commuter train. We certainly did not want to miss this place.
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
The first place we arrived at is Rockport. We had planned to hit a few other spots, but, my goodness, is there a cuter town than Rockport anywhere? We ended up spending much more time here than planned.
At the harbor, a wooden dory beached at low tide seemed so picturesque on this brilliant day.
Rockport
The houses in town are in vintage Cape Cod (should we say Cape Ann?) style, nicely decorated with colorful flowers or draped with vine.
Rockport House
Rockport House
Rockport House
Even the store signs are cute.
Sign
I did not take many wildlife pictures on this whole trip; here's one of the few that I did take -- this is a Herring Gull.
Herring Gull
We climbed to "The Headlands" by the harbor -- a small knoll by the water. From here, the entire harbor is in view, as is the Atlantic Ocean.
Rockport
Rockport
Pretty sailboats come out of the harbor.
Sailboat
Sailboat
On the headlands, Beach Roses were blooming on this summer day.
Beach Rose
We did eventually leave town, this was one of the last pictures I took of Rockport.
Rockport
Our next stop was at Halibut Point State Park, where a small lake formed from an abandoaned quarry juxtaposed against the vast Atlantic Ocean. We made one more stop at Manchester-by-the-sea, but were stymied by the weekend crowd and did not make to the beach.
Halibut Point
Halibut Point
Halibut Point
