We spent the weekend in Gloucester happily hugging babies, sucking sea air and generally relaxing.  While I realize that not everyone in the Dalpiaz clan was able to have such a comfortable weekend, I hope it's OK to describe it a bit.  Perhaps it will serve as a little distraction from all the storm related devastation.  We eagerly sought out water while so many others have just had ENOUGH of it and we feel very fortunate in so many ways.

We took a guided tour to Dogtown-- an area of Gloucester that used to serve as the town hub.  It was mostly populated by fishermen's widows and their dogs.  These early settlers didn't want to be close to the water as there wasn't enough protection from the weather so this was WAY up in the woods.  It is a large area criss-crossed with trails and paths (s they say--you couldn't really determine a path) and littered with huge granite boulders.  Some of these boulders have been engraved with words of encouragement and hope.  Apparently a local philanthropist paid out of work men to do this carving during the Depression years.  They have aged amazingly well and are inspiring.

You'd have to sit on top of this monster boulder to carve these letters!

We also visited a local estate which adjoins a large expanse of beach.  We weren't there alone on this past Sunday morning!

And, PS--we also saw seals in the harbor waters.  It was a very nature filled weekend. Another stop was at an orchard for an apple and wine fest.  Look what we found here (this is for Nick):

My aunt and uncle allowed me to bring back the Ryan family Bible (whoo-hoo) which will keep me out of trouble for several days.  We also found some cool family history materials in an antique store (also a first for Gloucester!). 

We returned fulfilled and eager for our next visit.  Now we can say that Sandy is over AND SO IS THE POLITICAL SEASON.