We've had a wonderful two days hither and yon. Wednesday, yesterday, we set off first for Boston to see this comedian who made us laugh so painfully and loudly. I came out of the theater with mascara smears - didn't realize it until I got back to the hotel. Included with the show was his new book!
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| Waiting for the show to start above and below at the Wilbur Theatre |
Before the show we wandered around the Boston Public Garden, the Beacon Hill neighborhood including Beacon Hill Chocolates (we bought 4 and I just realized they are still in my purse) and then had dinner at Grill 23 - highly recommended.
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| Frisky Wisk the Squirrel |
This morning, before leaving Boston, we went to one of my favorites bakeries, Flour. I have both of her cookbooks - that's how much I love the food there. Normally I order the hot chocolate because it is made with bittersweet ganache and whole milk but calorically speaking, I could have a pastry and a half for the same or fewer calories so I had herb tea instead. We ordered 3 items to share; a cheddar chive scone, chocolate stuffed brioche, and a sticky bun. All were delicious! Flour Bakery and Cafe can be found in four locations in Boston - I also highly recommend this bakery for killer pastries, cookies, bars, bread and creative sandwiches. And the hot chocolate.
After eating that kind of naughty breakfast, we decided we would eat a combined lunch - dinner at an equally unhealthy but delightful establishment later in the day, Woodman's of Essex. We left Boston and decided to make our way up the north shore namely to see Salem (in the throes of Halloween craziness and to stop in at a bakery I had just read was New England's answer to Acme Bread of San Francisco/Berkeley), and the whole coast route through Beverly, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Rockport, Halibut State Park, Annisquam, Essex (lunch-dinner), Ipswich, Rowley, Newburyport (Richdale's candy store to pick up some for a family member who will remain unnamed) and up our NH seacoast to home. Might I say that the fall color was absolutely incredible everywhere - that burnished tone the leaves take on just as they have left peak color. It was exquisite and I can't tell you how many times we commented on the brilliance and beauty of the area and day. I adore the north shore!
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| We had heard they make amazing sourdough breads so we bought 6 kinds to go in the freezer of course and eat as we need it. We were concerned it would be so good we would regret not buying more when it's a bit of a trek to get back. We did try a little piece of the olive sourdough when we got home and it was fabulous! Glad we did! |
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| I so love to be in a bakery - I am drawn to them. |
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| Some of the goods |
We passed a fetching cemetery in Beverly where the red maple caught our eye towering above very, very old tombstones.
We stopped in the delightful village center of Manchester-by-the-Sea to buy some water and stroll through the park by the wee harbor.
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| Manchester-by-the-Sea |
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Rockport MA
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Three miles north of Rockport and then right on Gott Road is Halibut State Park. This is a very unique place and a wonderful park to bring children as well. There are delightful trails through woods and dune that lead to the huge and water filled former Babson Farm Quarry, long abandoned, so beautiful and pristine and then down to the sea to countless gigantic, step like stones right at the ocean, great for jumping and climbing and filled with tide pools. There is also a former WWII Artillery Fire Control Tower there with a visitors center. I just love the place; I've been a couple times prior and this was Dan's first time. Below is the beginning of the trail off the parking area.
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| Dan on the trail |
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| Above and two pics below - trails through the dunes and brush leading to the sea. |
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| 4 pics above - lots of step-like stones to play on and smaller ones to build with. |
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| Above and below, the quarry |
After we left Halibut State Park where we got some exercise and enjoyed the beauty therein, we drove the rest of the way around Cape Ann and then up the shore to Essex we where enjoyed a totally fried (in lard!) seafood meal. We split one meal between us because, man, their portions are huge! I always love the food but regret the grease the rest of the day. Fried foods do that to me - hang too long in the gut but I gotta do it once in a while! Woodman's claims to be the original New England clam shack - it's a really fun place and though today was quiet (well it was only 3:30 pm), it is usually packed and often there is a long line outside. Also highly recommended. In that area, there is a rivalry between Woodman's people and Clam Box people - you are one or the other. I've eaten at both but am loyal to Woodman's.
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| We were the only ones in line - gasp! |
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We split a clam chowder and the fried scallops, shrimp, clam, and onion ring platter.
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When we arrived at our home, we noticed trick or treaters out in the neighborhood; it was almost 6 pm and late by Halloween standards so we rushed in and got our candy bowl ready. I had forgotten they go out the day before here - I don't get this tradition and practice here in NH! We had one group of kids come, that's it. We must have missed the crowds. Sorry.
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| We always buy a brownie in a bakery if it is offered to critique and compare to my celestial brownies (hee!) so we got one from both Flour and AJ King Bakeries. We take this task seriously. We took a bite from each, now they are in the refrigerator. AJ won. A bit more chocolaty and dense. |
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| The sourdoughs and other breads ready for the freezer. Happiness |
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