Salisbury Beach, MA - Sept. 22 - 29, 2009

We arrived at Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury, Massachusetts on September 22.  We selected this park because we were hoping Susan's sister would join us in New England and, since we had stayed at this park in October of 2007, knew it would suit the three of us.  Unfortunately, Linda was unable to join us but we enjoyed our second stay at this neat little park just the same. 

The park is just one mile from funky Salisbury Beach and within easy bike distance of Hampton Beach, New Hampshire.  It is also just three miles north Newburyport, an incredibly beautiful New England village established in the 18th Century. 

The big event while we were in Massachusetts was our trip into Boston to meet up with Claudia and George.  It is amazing how many times our paths have crossed since we met first met them in Oregon in July 2008.  After Oregon we met up with them in Sequim, WA, then Florence, AZ, and last June in Sheridan, WY and now Boston, MA. 

We drove into Boston and met Claudia and George at Long Wharf for a sunset cruise on Boston Harbor.  The cruise was lovely and watching the sunset and the city lights illuminate the city was electrifying.  After the cruise we navigated the notoriously confusing streets of Boston to dine at a highly touted Tuscan restaurant in the Fins.  After dinner we went to Claudia and George's apartment overlooking the State Capitol for cocktails on the ninth-floor roof.  The apartment had a great location on Beacon Hill, which provided fabulous views of the city.  It was a great day with friends in a very lively city.

On another sunny day we went into Newburyport to explore the village, then out to Plum Island and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for a series of short hikes and bird watching.  This turned out to be our 'lobster day'.  On the way out to Plum Island we stopped for lobster rolls at a highly recommended roadside market.  They were so good that after our hike we drove up to Hampton Beach and bought two steamed lobsters - which we took home and devoured.  That relieved our lobster cravings for a while.

Since Halloween was approaching we decided to visit Salem, the site of the witch trials.  The town was gearing up for the annual Halloween onslaught of faux witches and goblins.  We visited the creepy cemetery and memorial to the witches executed during this rather bleak part of our history, but chose not to tour the over-priced Salem Witch Museum.

Salem is also the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne and the House of the Seven Gables.   The house originally belonged to one of Hawthorne's great, great uncles, and a judge during the Salem witch trials.  Years later, Hawthorne's cousin described the home as it appeared during that time.

Caroline Emmerton, a philanthropist and preservationist, purchased the house in 1908 and restored it to its 17th and 18th Century design.   The house now resembles the one described in Hawthorne's novel, as related to him by his cousin.

After leaving Salem we drove north along State Route 127A that hugs the rugged coastline.  This route took us through Gloucester, the Rocky Neck Art Colony and the enchanting village of Rockport on Cape Ann.  We highly recommend exploring this scenic area and regret we didn't have more hours of sunlight spend there.

After nine days of walking the beach, biking the coastal highway, exploring the historic and scenic villages, and gorging on lobster, it was time to move on to New Hampshire to take in the fall colors.  Next stop - Franconia, NH.