Rockport on a Wintry Saturday

A few weeks ago, on a day just before a major snowstorm, my sister and I headed up to Rockport. She had been talking about Halibut Point State Park, and we visited it despite the cold weather. Because the ice-encrusted snow made walking difficult, we couldn't see the entire park, but it was still worth the visit. The old quarry is filled with water and a delight to view on this nearly cloudless morning with the ocean in the background. A study in blue, gray and white. Since there are no fences or other protective enclosures, we didn't go too close to the quarry as it has rained and frozen recently, creating icy paths. I had nightmare fantasies of slipping and then tumbling into the freezing water of the quarry. I certainly wouldn't recommend that anyone bring small children here in these conditions.

With the walking conditions as they were, the cold (windy, in the 20's) and the visitor center closed (although the restrooms were open), our visit was short. I look forward to returning in the spring and taking the walking tour mentioned on the website.

Afterwards we ate lunch in Rockport. At this time of the year there isn't a huge selection of open eateries, but they're not crowded as they are in the summer. Wish I could remember the name of the restaurant we ate at. It was on or near the corner of Bear Neck and the main cross street. We could look out the back and see Motif #1. We ordered clam chowder (New England, of course!) but were disappointed when it arrived - instead of being thick and creamy, it had more of a broth. It wasn't watery or thin and tasted pretty good but still not what we had expected. We both had spinach salads with maple vinegarette dressing, also good. The bacon was in pieces rather than crumbles, also a bit odd but nothing horrible. I asked about having shrimp in mine but decline when told that it would cost $6.75 extra. Wow.

We walked off lunch by strolling down Bear Neck and stopping in some of the open shops. The shell and pewter shops were particularly interesting. By this time the sky was beginning to cloud over in that way which clearly presages a storm. One knows these things when one has spent time in an area, and it looked ominous to me, having recently returned after 15 years in much sunnier California.

I loved our few hours in Rockport. An old quarry, nearly deserted Rockport, clever and beautiful pewter and sea shell creations. The first signs of a major storm seen just offshore, bringing up images of long-ago settlers and seafarers battening down the hatches. All pure New England.

I Love New England

I have a passion for New England.

After living for 15 years in California, I have returned to New England, my Old Country, Native Land, Old Stomping Ground. I came back for a wide variety of reasons, a good job, family, the ability to actually purchase real estate, the inheritance of a summer home in New Hampshire. And because I love it here. I was away for 15 years and lost my accent years ago but never stopped missing New England.

I grew up here, just west of Boston, in the 1960's and 70's. In the mid 70's, I left for college in Western New York and didn't return to live here until 1987. After earning my Master's at Simmons College in Boston, I relocated to California. I believe these two extended periods of time away provide me with a rich perspective on my love for New England. Natives here may or may not recognize the unique aspects of this place. If they do recognize these special things, they may or may not appreciate them. For me these differences from other areas of the country strike me acutely now. I want to write about them, point them out, celebrate them. I hope that readers of this blog will develop an enhanced appreciation for this incredibly special place, or at least learn something new, maybe a beautiful spot, an fun activity or an interesting fact.