Gloucester Off The Beaten Path

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This small park is located on Harbor Loop between the Maritime Heritage/Harbor Master's Office and the Coast Guard Station. I believe this is where they created the Hollywood version of The Crow's Nest for the movie "The Perfect Storm", but I'm not exactly sure. It was definitely in that area. I had never been there before today, had never even heard of it. It's a small patch of land where one could sit and watch the Coast Guard boats and other sea bound craft. Very out-of-the-way and quiet. Would be a nice walk after dinner at Capt. Carlos.

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This isn't really off the beaten path. It's located in a central part of the city, but I don't think many people (residents included) give this memorial much thought. Joan of Arc sits atop her horse facing the American Legion at the corner of Middle Street and Washington. When I was growing up the statue was Statue of Liberty green, but has since been restored and looks brand new.

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I have to be honest, I've never noticed this beautiful memorial that honors the Veterans of World War II before today. It's located across from the tennis courts on Stacy Boulevard on 127, on your right if you're heading towards Stage Fort Park/Magnolia. One of the nicest memorials I've ever seen, the design is nothing short of amazing.

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Stage Fort Park is a popular attraction for children in Gloucester, but behind the swings and the fort's cannons and the beach lie some fun paths that lead to incredible views of Gloucester and the harbor. It's also a fun spot to do a little fishing. The park is open from Memorial Day to Halloween and has a Welcoming Center that has information about the history of Gloucester and the Essex County area. There have been major renovations to the park over the years and Stage Fort is a great place for a picnic. A family with young, adventurous children could spend a day exploring Stage Fort Park and end the day with clams and ice cream at the Cupboard Dairy. I spent many happy days in my youth at this park, fishing, playing on the beach and exploring the paths. It never got old and was never the same experience twice.

Edit: Took my daughter here today (9/3/08) for a picnic. I had to carry the stroller down stairs to get to the bathroom, which wasn't the end of the world, but certainly not convenient. We had lunch at the picnic tables behind the concession stand then walked down to Half Moon Beach and jumped in the water for a bit. A wonderful way to spend a late summer, beautiful day.

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Any visitor to Gloucester's Stacy Boulevard who stares out past Ten Pound Island can see the lighthouse with the long strip of land stretching from it's base across the harbor. This is the Eastern Point Lighthouse at the base of the Dog Bar Breakwater which protects Gloucester Harbor from the Atlantic.

What many of those same visitors do not know is one can reach this area, which seems so far from the Fisherman's Memorial Statue and actually walk along the breakwater. The street which leads to the Lighthouse, and the community along the way are private, but the Lighthouse and breakwater are public lands. Driving from Eastern Point Road to the Lighthouse is an adventure that I won't ruin, but once arriving to your destination you are treated with the feeling of being at the end of the Earth.

Your first few steps onto the breakwater's huge granite slabs are awkward for many for you quickly realize you are mere feet from an unforgiving Atlantic Ocean crashing onto the granite to your left. Once one gazes down to their right they can see to the bottom of the harbor, calm and still and the metaphor that is the breakwater. This is all the more accentuated by the color of the stone beneath your feet, the "grey area" between black and white, safety and danger, life and death.

Your half mile walk along the rocks of the breakwater will provide breathtaking views of the ocean contrasted with the profile of Gloucester, which seems so peaceful and quiet from where you are. On a clear day you can see the skyline of Boston off beyond the ocean to your left. You'll pass fisherman and artists on your way to the small, white lighthouse at the end of the breakwater where you can stop and take in the beauty around you, isolated from all of the troubles of the world, with only the gulls and the sweet ocean air to keep you company.

The draw bridge is a strange phenomenon. Of course we all know the road comes up to allow boat traffic to go through the narrow passage to the open ocean. For as many times as you see the mechanical marvel operate, it still fascinates people to watch...and perhaps call down to the people in the boat to share greetings. People are a simple lot, really. What could be any more peaceful than the park along the ocean and having a draw bridge to entertain you from time to time? No wonder I totally veg out when I go to Gloucester and Rockport.

If you like music, especially vinyl records, head over to Mystery Train Records... Mystery Train looks like someones basement from the fifties or sixties!!! There are all kinds of vinyl records in boxes, old posters on the walls/ceiling and old science fiction books on shelves in the back of the store. One could easily blow an afternoon browsing through the place.

Most people head straight downtown when they visit Gloucester and don't even know that East Gloucester exists. They miss a LOT of beautiful scenery this way. Take Main Street east and follow East Main Street in a loop around the peninsula leading to Rocky Neck, Niles Beach, Eastern Point and the Back Shore along Atlantic Road, where the twin lighthouses of Thacher Island come into view. Take the time to explore inside Eastern Point (don't let all those 'No ______' signs fool you, security is not as tight as they'd like you to think). There's a museum, retreat house, yacht club, lighthouse, and Coast Guard station all tucked in with those gorgeous mansions!