Pretty cool little place. Had a very nice clear day to enjoy the short hike. I will definitely…read morebring the family to check this place out

A lighthouse for the…read more birds The area around Cape Ann is a treacherous place indeed and a whole lot of ships have been lost over the centuries. So it is natural that a whole bunch of lighthouse would be built here. The very first light on the small 2 acre Straithmouth Island was back in 1835 but was a poorly constructed pile of junk. It was rebuilt in 1851 but the fierce storms and wild winters soon took a toil on that one too. So in 1896 the present 37 foot light was built and a small 6th order Fresnel lens added. Over the decades all lighthouses were automated and many, like this one, declared redundant and were closed. The little island ended up as private property until 1967 when the island and lighthouse was donated to the Audubon Society. It is now a bird and wildlife sanctuary and is off limits to humans. The light and the few remaining buildings got hammered and damaged in the Oct. 1991 "perfect storm" but the little lighthouse preserved and survived. It can now be seen closely by kayak or from certain points in Rockport and the twin lights of Thatcher island can be seen from certainly angles. Not a tall light and not an exceptionally old light. But it is a tough little guy that managed to survive everything that natural and man could throw at it.

The Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial is a sculpture on South Stacy Boulevard. It's an 8-foot-tall…read morebronze statue of a fisherman erected in 1925. In a semi-circle around the sculpture are plaques that list the names of people lost at sea between 1716-2001. If you're visiting Gloucester for the first time - like my mom and I were last about a week ago - it's worth your time to park and take a walk on the esplanade and see the memorial for a few minutes!

Memorial to fishermen - "They that go down to sea in ships"…read more Enjoyed the breeze and reflecting on those lost over the years.

If you're in Gloucester and looking for something non-beachy to do, I recommend checking out…read moreEastern Point Lighthouse and walking across the breakwater to Dog Bar Lighthouse. First, you have to turn onto a private street lined with ridiculously beautiful mansions that you will never be able to afford in your lifetime and possibly your children's, staffed by a security guard (tell him you're here to see the lighthouse). After you drive past the private beach and the yacht club, all bedecked with No Trespassing and Private Entry Only signs to make you feel as unwelcome and plebian as possible by the 1% of Gloucester, you'll see the parking turn-off for the lighthouse. There, we met a very kind lady from Mass Audubon who explained the various migrational birds roaming around the area. You can't actually see or tour the lighthouse because it's fenced around and, from a distance, looks a little worse for wear. But looping around the side across some rocks, you can hop onto the jetty and stroll around and take in the sights. Great spot for photographers. It was beating down with zero shade and we forgot to put on sunscreen before heading out so we did a quick out-and-back but otherwise, it'd be a neat area to sit. $10 fee per vehicle (cash or QR code). No fee if you walk in. Definitely wear close-toed shoes; sandals or flip-flops on slippery rocks are a recipe for disaster. Also, watch out for poison ivy along the path to the jetty.

Beware: This is not a polished tourist destination. Only visit if you're looking for a bit of…read moreadventure. To get to the Eastern Point Lighthouse, you have to turn down a road marked as private. (Apparently it isn't, really?) Then, you pass some other unwelcoming signs. Then you finally get to a small gravel parking lot with a sign that says "All are welcome!" The lighthouse isn't operational or open for tours. It's surrounded by fencing that makes it look condemned. But, if you walk through some sand and rocks along the water and then do a small bit of rock climbing, you can get a good view of an iconic lighthouse. When I visited, it was freezing rain and very windy. When I climbed up on the rocks to take a picture, the winds up there were so strong I was worried they'd blow my phone out of my hand. Combined with the sense that I was almost trespassing, it was oddly thrilling. There's not enough going on to warrant a long trip, but if you're in the area, want a fun diversion, and are fine driving down narrow, possibly private roads to a small gravel parking lot before navigating sandy, rocky, seaweedy tidewaters to see something iconic, it's a worthwhile diversion.

Came at night during the winter to see the lighthouse so most things surrounding were closed,…read morehowever it was still beautiful. I'm not sure if you can go inside of the light house during its on-season but that would be fun. The drive to the lighthouse takes you through Plum Island which seems like a really cool beach town during the summer months. I'd love to revisit when things are open!

the original plum island lights, the thirteenth lighthouse built in 'murica, went into operation on…read moreApril 14, 1788 coming in at 37 feet above mean sea level at a cost of £266; the current forty-five foot conical structure was built in 1898 for a bit more. the light was electrified in 1927, automated in 1951 and eventually left the coast guard's books in 2003. the lighthouse, now the property of the city of newburyport, is leased to and maintained by the friends of plum island light who open it for tours and the occasional event in warm weather :-)

First, I'd like to make everyone aware that this is the most dangerous rotary in the United States…read more‍. I grew up and learned how to drive on this rotary back when there's a gas station where the check cashing place is now. This rotary does not just go in a circle you have Beach Street you have Leon Highway cutting right through the middle you have beach Street cutting through you have a check cashing place on one side a car dealership on another side you have a bank and a shopping plaza on the other side with a busy Dunkin' Donuts 50 feet away. Everyone goes around this circle like crazy there has to be at least 10 different to 15 different on and off Streets and exits off of this circle. If you come from another part of the country that does not have rotaries I suggest you stay away. I'm giving you a fair warning if you have never been on a rotary before do not attempt to go around this one would be better off on the Auto Chevy Chase circle like in European vacation. As for the circle itself in the summertime, even sometimes in the winter, you will see people walking through people actually walk across this rotary it connects highway streets stores entrances and exits every single one more dangerous than the next.. and this is exactly where my father brought me to learn how to drive as soon as I could go around that rotary 10 times he told me I was on my own. if you can drive around Circle and get off entrance and exit off of the circle you can drive anywhere in the world. Revere actually keep it is all landscaped with flowers, etc. in the winter they have a Christmas display with lights. Very nice circle. It holds a deep spot in my heart. This is probably the one thing in Revere that has not changed since the 70s the rest of the city totally different the circle it stayed the same. My advice when you come to Revere, you go to Bell Circle looking in front of you behind you three times I left and three times to the right at the same time because that's how many entrances and exits people will be trying to slip in and sneak by you. Anyways, take it easy if you never been to Bell Circle it will be an experience the circle awaits.

Beautiful memorial and well attended to. Peaceful and respected and great piece of history.read more

While in Salem Massachusetts we found the Witchcraft Victims Monument in Danvers MA. There is no…read moresignage directing you towards the village when it was over played Noël Teel & I visited while Tony helped the baby! Tony Vanoy Lisa Diane Boyce-Vanoy Dale Lisa Vanoy

We almost didn't make it see the Ropes Mansion before heading back home last week, but we decided…read moreour trip wouldn't be complete if we didn't see it. Do you remember in the movie when Dani and Max are outside the mansion just staring up at it in awe? That was me. The infamous mansion where Allison lives is a sight that can't be missed! It is located in a residential neighborhood at the very end of the street, but it is worth the quick detour away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist area. We came later in the evening so were only able to get a couple of night time shots - we wanted to get one of us in front of it, but a tour group was coming through at the same time and we didn't want to be too distracting. I'm not sure if they ever do tours inside, I believe the Ropes Mansion is owned by the Essex Museum, but the outside was definitely enough for me. If you're a fan of Hocus Pocus, this is a must stop!

As a fan of Hocus Pocus (it's one of my favorite Halloween movies!), I was very much looking…read moreforward to visiting Allison's house. While I didn't enter the house, it was great to see the exterior and take photos from outside. The Ropes Mansion garden is free to enter, and is accessible through an arched pathway at the side of the mansion. The garden, while small, is beautiful and tranquil to walk through, complete with plenty of roses and a small pond. It's a great spot to take tourist photos as well. A must-visit for Hocus Pocus fans!

Let light be your guide to safe travels and coming home!…read more Here in the Salem Harbor stands a light house only about twenty feet high. The light house is not open to the public from the outside. Guests to the water front can walk around the light house. Pose for a picture. Pick up seashells. In a great year, 1977; the national park service actually acquired this property. The light house is at the end of the derby wharf. It allows ships to come home and into the harbor safely . Wave your hands high as we soak up the water and all that salty air. As I watch individuals play along the water front it's hard not to smile and laugh. The twins make fun noises of joy. It's a sort of dance with life that makes me feel alive. Life is this beautiful gift, all the circumstances that has transformed us to this moment were worthy of wonder and joy. Close your eyes, imagine that salty air . The smells of the sea, your breath in rhythms of happy as your heart beats. The waves crash against the shore . If only the smiles were mine. I live in the moment with the children. For it is their happiness that is mine. If life seized right now, I would be happy that we shared this happiness.

A must see, got up early just to see the sunrise and it was 100% worth it! Just park in parking…read moregarage and be prepared to walk.