Ida and me

I ended up at Cape Ann, Massachusetts this Friday night after work. Friday the 13th proved to be a not too great of day waking up to a flat tire! That didn't stop me though! Spare tire is a full tire, so the flat one will remain in the back of Sammy until I have some more time to fix it! I wasn't sure where to set out for this weekend, and I thought to myself...I have to spend at least one weekend in Massachusetts being that I live here. Did a little research over lunch one day about visiting Mass and ended up going to Cape Ann.

Driving in the dark has many disadvantages as you all are fully aware of but this next situation usually doesn't happen to us "landlocked" folks. I arrived at a little hotel called the Cape Ann Motor Inn. Walked into the "office" area which looks like a family room, including a parrot named Roberta "Bert". The office lady says hello, then Bert says hello, then I say hello, then Bert says hello. Then Bert starts calling like a seagull! I about peed myself...literally because you can't use the restroom unless you are going to rent a room and I was not too sure yet. So I asked the lady what there was to do in Gloucester, MA. She told me a few places and I reply...."can I walk to these places or is it far?" She says, "well the island isn't that big". I of course reply, "ohhhh so this is an island??" Well you see what happens when you drive in the dark!

Now I have been at some hotels with "ocean views" before but let me tell you all....the lady at the desk warned me that with the hurricane...the waves may come up to my patio door! Now that is ocean front property for sure! I could hear the waves before I opened the door to the horrible, gross smelling, 70's decor, moldy room! But after opening the blinds to the sliding glass door......there is nothing that could make you complain about a room actually on the beach, in the sand, right on the ocean! As I was talking on the phone with Steph a little dog, Lou, strolled into my room to say hello! Too cute! Called a cab and headed into town to have amazing food in downtown Gloucester, steak tips and shrimp! yummy!! Then went bar hoping as I do to meet folks and have a beverage. The first stop, met the owner of the place and a gentleman (loosely stated) that sales yachts! After describing his multiple homes and yacht, and offering to take me around the island and continually spitting on me when he spoke......I realized quickly that there would be more payment than just my great company with this guy!! He says, "well where are you going next, where are you going tomorrow?" I say, "I really don't know. Whatever comes up!" He says, "what? You really don't have any idea what you are doing tomorrow even?" I said honestly, "no! let's keep it that way and have a good night."

Next place was busy and encouraging to meet folks! Only seat open was next to a very nice older gentleman that I ended up speaking with the entire night. He, of course, was amazed by my adventures but however informed me that he thought I would meet someone sooner than I thought. I would meet someone that had a similar background location wise and that would make it easy for me to move back home.....hmmmmm! Anyway, called the cab back to the hotel and sat in the sand and talked to a friend on the phone while making sand angels! Next morning....POURING rain, wind and welcome hurricane Ida. We've been expecting you but hoping you would not arrive!

Up early to walk the beach! The weather conditions are not ideal for sure. Umbrella and stocking cap, started out on the sand. Along the beach are wooden platforms and stairs to get up to the cement walkway. Well as I was strolling along and taking photos, I realized when I looked back that the waves were reaching the cement wall, and when I looked forward the waves were not leaving the wall! With some good timing and cat-like reflexes I dashed back to the past staircase and made it up to safety before drowning! I then realized that if I would have stayed on the sand, there were no more staircases for me to get up out of the water! whoa that was close! Walked along the walkway with summer homes all boarded up and waves like I haven't seen. Made it to the end where there usually is a bridge onto an island and then onto another beach. Thank goodness the stairs were removed prior to Becky arriving or I would have tried to get over there and possibly still be there! Headed back to the hotel to pack up and start driving again.

A little tip from the cabby the night before landed me at a little restaurant off the ocean, Causeways. Had an entire platter of fried haddock, shrimp, calamari, scallops and fries. Really yummy. Then I just started driving around, Sammy and I against the hurricane! Not ever sure where to go! Just program stops into Betty and taking random roads to try to view the Atlantic. Ended up on Granite Pier to stop and look at the atlas. Sammy was actually moving from side to side with the winds at the end of the Pier, kind of frightening!! The most beautiful view and huge seagulls, they eat well obviously. I keep saying it is the most beautiful view don't I? Took the beach ave close to the water by the mansions and found a sign that read, "foot path to the Atlantic". Of course, parked Sam and took off on foot. The smallest little path right down to the most beautiful view of the ocean that I have seen! If it weren't for the rain I would have stayed for hours and walked the path.

Got back in the truck and headed off the island to Salisbury beach. Hotels looked closed or abandoned, which they were being that it is off season here, and the restaurants had all but one person in them. I stopped at a local bar to reevaluate the situation if you will. The owner tried to talk me into staying longer but I set off to Hampton. What a fun place! If it were summer, this would have been straight out of a movie. I found a hotel right along the ocean drive but then realized that I would be paying $80 for a room and not even be able to see the ocean anyway due to the weather. Frustrated at the weather and being a tourist.....I decided to drive home to Worcester!

Home by early evening, sleeping by 10pm! 11hrs of sleep later I decided to get up and go get an hour massage, get some sushi and watch a movie! Great day after all. :) I would love to head back to Cape Ann in nicer weather! Absolutely breathtaking! Everyone I meet says.....you should see this place in the summer! Well I couldn't afford to see all of these places in the summer silly! :) 1/3 of the way done with weekends! So far, so great!