I just had the most perfect beach day at Crane Beach in Ipswich

[Kathy in Cambridge]

Sunny, in the 80s, with a light breeze. Clear skies, warm water. Crane Reservation is gorgeous. 1,200 acres of beachfront, dunes and maritime forest. All kinds of seabirds. It's really a little slice of paradise.

If you ever get to Mass., here's the info:
http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/294_crane_beach.cfm

And a live webcam:
http://users.rcn.com/ttor5/

Afterwards, fried clams and a few beers at Woodman's in Essex. Does it get any better than this? :-)

[babylonsister]

1. I am very, very jealous. It's been cloudy, rainy and hot

here for the past 10 days. I'm also from the northeast so that does sound like a perfect day!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

5. It was amazing-so much cooler at the beach than inland.

it was sweltering in the city, and I didn't break a sweat at the beach.

Are you in Texas? Only Texas never cools down from the rain.

[babylonsister]

20. Yes, I've lived in TX for years. First Corpus Christi,

then I had a break for a few years (NY, NC, OK), and back to TX. My dad is in NY now; maybe I need to visit! :)

Edit to add: I lived in Boston/Revere/Cape Cod prior to moving to TX. I met a guy in the Coast Guard ... join the military and travel!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

22. Re-VE-Ah. Get out! What a place. Where on Cape Cod?

I had a summer place for years there. :cry:

[babylonsister]

24. Oh, this was 'a place'. For me, only a short time, but

it was military housing on Otis Air Force Base. The guy I fell in love with was my brother's boss; he had two kids circling him, but somehow it worked out. I do remember the rabbits in the kitchen and the overflowing ashtrays. But 23 years later, it's all good!

[maveric]

2. I LOVE Crane's Beach! Havent been there in 35 years...

But have great memories.
Can you still walk out, a couple of hundred yards, into the ocean and the water never gets past waist high?
We kids had a blast there!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. Yes-there's still a sandbar. But it's hundreds of yards down the beach now

it was in the mid-90s in Boston and humid. The beach was much cooler. It was great!

[jonnyblitz]

3. a couple of my pals brought me there on my bday , 5 days after

9/11 happened in september that year.I was staying in Nashua at the time and they were from Portland and we met in Hampton Beach, NH and we drove to Ipswich to this place. They had been before, I had never heard of it. it was a nice fall day and the beach was pretty much deserted and the three of us sat there all day and just talked like crazy about the events that were transpiring.yes i have fond memories of that place. :hi:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

8. September is often the best beach month here

80 degree days, and all the screaming brats are back at school.

[usedtobesick]

6. well you should have had the clams and beers

at Periwinkles on the other side of the bridge... but other then that I don't see how it could have been any better

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. Are you from Mass?

I've only been to Woodman's, Farnham's, and Tom Shea's. Is Periwinkle's good?

[usedtobesick]

10. I think Periwinkles is the best

and I've eaten at them all. I actually live in Co but spend a lot of time in MA. I stay in Danvers and always eat out on Cape Anne some place. Either in Manchester or Essex or Gloucester or sometimes I go up to Newbury Port and eat at the Grog. Another great place and you can get to Plum Island another great place to play on the beach.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

12. I love Plum Island, but do you know it eroded pretty badly this winter?

we had a lot of snow and wind. Plum Island is awesome. But then again, most of Cape Ann is.

Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester and Crane Beach are my faves. Singing Beach is great too but crowded.

Gloucester has some great restaurants. If you get there again, try Franklin Cafe. The original restaurant is in the South End of Boston.

You can go to Rockport now too. They voted down the 300 year old ban on selling liquor, and now restaurants have a bar.

[usedtobesick]

14. didn't know about the damage to Plum

I haven't there this year and miss seeing it. Maybe in two weeks when I am back there. Never been to Frankin cafe and will give it a try. The used to be an Italian place Called Cicaro's I loved at the little playhouse in Newburyport I loved as well.

I always loved Rockport and never minded bringing my own bottle to dinner with me. Kind of made you know what you wanted to eat before you got there but it is a great little quiet town and a nice little beach.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

15. You could see the erosion at Crane as well

the beach is shorter, and the dunes got hammered.

Where else would you suggest in Newburyport? My parents used to eat at Michael's a lot, but I'm not familiar with too many other places. it's changed a lot.

[usedtobesick]

19. i tend to be creature of habit when it comes to local places

so I love the Grog and the snacks at the bar. There is another small Italian place across the street from the Bookstore. Also a great Portuguese place. But I really miss Cicaro's, one of intheflow's and my favorite places to eat. Too much garlic, great table wine and bright red checkered table clothes...

[latebloomer]

9. I thought of Woodman's too when I saw your thread!

Couldn't remember the name, though--- it's been many years. Great fried fish.

Have you ever been to Plum Island, in Newburyport? Also gorgeous.

[usedtobesick]

11. great call on Plum Island

I love that place as well

[Kathy in Cambridge]

13. I spent my summers in that neck of the woods

Massachusetts has some of the most beautiful coastline. 400 year old towns with scenic beaches, rolling hills, and preservation land. And the seafood-my GOD the seafood! :o

We had red tide this year, and having fried clams, steamers, and oysters was a treat!

[Cobalt Violet]

16. Did you find any sand dollars at Crane's?

I love that beach. I like to walk way down past most of the people. So I take it that it is also past greenhead season. Plum Island is great too.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

17. It's peak greenhead season, but they weren't that bad today

We drag our stuff far away from the crowd too. it was glorious-very quiet and the water was WARM!

[maveric]

18. Hey Kathy... How is Salisbury Beach these days?

Is it still dumpy or have they cleaned it up?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

21. They are taking down the Salisbury equivalent of Paragon Park

redevelopment, yuppification and such. Salisbury is a beautiful beach. Check your PM.

[stellanoir]

23. Am thrilled you had a great day

Cranes is almost as wondrous as RI beaches.

You must come down soon.

:hi:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

27. RI beaches are great! i'd love to come visit.

and the water is so much warmer. The water temp was 72 today, so I spent a lot of time swimming.

:hi:

[yvr girl]

25. It would have been better if I was there with you

I'm excellent company. (And so are you.)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

26. And our beaches are amazing here

seriously-gorgeous colonial towns, rolling hills, incredible scenery, seafood. What more could one ask for?

Yes, you are great company! :hug:

[yvr girl]

28. I'm going to the beach on Sunday

Perhaps not as cool as yours, but about 7 minutes from my place.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

29. Is the water cold?

I heard the Pacific is chilly...

[unhappycamper]

30. KIC: Are you going to make the 8.13.2005 sand castle contest at Cranes?

We could make it a DU meetup!!!!!!!!!

http://www.windweaver.com/sandcastles/sandcastles6.htm

[Kathy in Cambridge]

31. I wish! I'm down the Cape that weekend!

:hi:

That is a great event-they have a competition at Hampton Beach too,

[unhappycamper]

32. Bummer. You gonna Rt 28 blog with PuraVidaDreamin?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

34. i'm way at the other end in Truro

[maveric]

33. Check you PM Kathy.