Carpe Diem: Rockport, Mass.

I felt like I needed a day to clear my head so I cleared my schedule and decided to head up to Rockport and Essex, Massachusetts today.  Two days of rain yielded to a sunny morning on land but the stubborn fog held on to the harbor.

Rockport is an old fishing village and artist community.  This old red fishing shack, purported to be the most painted building in America, has become affectionately known as Motif #1.

Paintings and photographs bearing the "Motif #1" title can be found all over town and probably in galleries all over the world.  I see them on ebay all the time. 

This Anthony Thieme oil painting dates to 1938.

Although I'm sure locals will roll their eyes, its position at the end of a pier makes it charming from almost every angle.

The tall ship "Formidable" was docked at the end of Tuna Wharf and the sun was illuminating the water from behind.  The color was amazing.

Study in Blue.  Does anyone know the shrub?  I don't.

Steps down to the water.

Roy Moore Lobster Co. on Bearskin Neck.

I asked the shop if I could take a photo of the inside and they yanked this big boy out for me.

Eight pounds!

Lunch.  

(Sorry little guy.)

Bearskin Neck cottages.

Cottage detail.  Can you see the carved face in the beam in the upper left?

More cottages.

A little afternoon fog bank moving in off the back harbor.

A sweet little quiet spot.

And a freshly planted window box announces the arrival of our planting season.

I have more to show you of Rockport and Essex, Massachusetts but it was a wonderful long day and that's all I got for now.

Enjoy.

Doors and Windows of Salem, Mass.

It's too hot to do anything around the house so I thought I'd show a few photos from when mom was in town that I never posted.  These are all doors and windows from historic homes in Salem, Massachusetts.

In the middle of downtown Salem was this driveway lined with mature trees that just really took me to another place and time. 

I love this door.

I'm in love with this house and I'm ready to move.  It overlooks a beautiful little park.

The last few are at "The House of the Seven Gables."

It's a beautiful historic city and I can't wait to get back there to explore some more.

Marblehead, Massachusetts (Part 2)

If you missed my first post on Marblehead, Massachusetts, you can jump to it here.

On my walk up to the Old Burial Hill, this house caught my attention, not for the salmon-colored door, but for the meandering path to door.  Not only is it much more visually interesting, the path provides a direct view past the house to the harbor beyond.

Let's take a little walk down the driveway to get a peek.

View of Marblehead Neck
(Click photo to enlarge)

And here it is.  Can you imagine coming home to work every day and enjoying a nice glass of wine watching yachts and sailboats drift by?  Pure heaven in my opinion.

Right at the steps up to the burial ground, sits this house backed right up to the granite ledge which creates its own little enclosed space.  It's really unique.

If you've never had a chance to walk around an old New England cemetery, you're missing an interesting experience.  The imagery and narratives on the headstones are really quite intriguing.   This particular burial ground is notable for its huge granite ledges...

...as well as the wonderful views of the harbor these spirits get to enjoy.  There are many heros of the American Revolution buried here.

On my walk back down the hill, this is one of two entrances on the front of the house...

...and this is the other more ornate entrance.  It's not my favorite color scheme but the woodwork around the door is gorgeous.

I've collected a lot of images of homes with monochromatic color schemes.

I think such a color scheme instantly creates a historical look.

This is one my favorite all-green houses.

This almost medieval-looking door...

...is on the Ambrose Gale house built in 1663.  347 years old.

Just a little farther down Franklin Street, one of the "oldest wayes in towne," the houses almost meet in the street like good old neighbors.  I love the castle-like pattern of shadows created by the dormers.

I wander back and forth between the water and the center of town not knowing what to focus on.  Lights, hardware, shutters, paint colors...

or pretty gardens, windows boxes and pots.



Doesn't this street seem unreal?  Like something from the movie Pleasantville.   I didn't even realize at the time I took the photo that there wasn't a single car in the shot.

This house was built 1683.

Some of the shops downtown.

The flower store.

I love these doors made of planks with the wide wrought iron hinges.

On my way back to my car, I admire this handsome house in Washington Square.  Everything is impeccable and restrained.  I love the curved fence and, surprisingly, the lack of a front garden. 

Notice the louvered door.  It's unusual but seems appropriate.

I've had a wonderful day and look forward to coming back sometime to explore more of Marblehead.

Where should I go next?  Maybe Salem in search of witches?