Exploring Gloucester

With bad weather forecast for Sunday,  we didn't set an alarm. It was nice to sleep in.  I made blueberry pancakes and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. Our plan was to stay in Gloucester for the day.

The weather didn't turn out as bad as forecast so we called the launch to go ashore and explore Gloucester. We enjoyed a delicious late lunch at Passport and then walked down to the harborside where there is a rocky beach.

The fishemen's memorial faces out to sea from the harbor. There is a wall at the memorial with the names of all the Gloucester fishermen lost at sea.

The Blynman Bridge crosses the Blynman Canal at Gloucester Harbor.  The canal connects Gloucester Harbot to the Annisquam River creating a north/south passage that bisects the cape. Much smaller than the Cape Cod Canal!

Across the bridge is a fishermen's wives memorial...also looking out on the harbor.

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Beautiful and well maintained gardens along the harbor walk.

We decided to check out the Crows Nest pub, featured in “The Perfect Storm” so we walked back to the other end of town.  The bar lived up to its reputation as a dive bar where locals hang out.  There was a bumper sticker over the bulletin board that read, “New England Fishery Management Council...ruining fishermen's lives.” We decided not to stay for a drink.

It seemed like a good time for a movie. We had seen a  small theater at the other end of town and headed back that way. “Leave No Trace" was playing at 6:30 pm, perfect timing.

This is the movie theater,  not a sofa showroom.

We came out of the movie theater about 8:45 and called the launch phone number and didn't get an answer. We walked to the nearby public landing...no launch.  Called again...still no answer. Decided to walk the short distance to the harbormaster’s office and saw the launch tied up there with cover on. Called again and still no answer.  The launch was supposed to run until 10 pm! I asked a group of 4 who had just come on the dock to board their dinghy if they had a radio. They did not, but offered us a ride to our boat. We were lucky that they happened to be there just then! Sailors helping sailors.