LIFE ON THE WATER
- ARIANA
- Jul 3, 2018
- 3 min read
Growing up in a seaside town has been nothing short of amazing and inspiring. Each and every day there is something new to see and do. I have never been able to stray far away from the salty air as I moved from my hometown of Gloucester, Massachusetts to my college hometown of Newport, Rhode Island.
Now that I am living back at home, I realize that there is quite a bit to be thankful for while living on the ocean. Sometimes what we have is taken for granted because we are so use to daily drives around the shore and impulse decisions to call it a beach day. Visitors travel miles and miles to reach the shoreline while we are just steps away! With summer now in full swing, I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite ocean activities . . .
SUNSET CHASING
All year long (but mainly in the summertime), I live to chase the sunset nearly every single night. There’s some sort of rush of curiosity that fills my body around 8 pm, wondering how the sky will paint itself. Will its colors be shades of fiery red, cotton candy blue and pink or a hazy grey fog? No matter what each sunset looks like, I appreciate the difference in every one and love knowing that tomorrow the sun will have its chance to set again. My all-time favorite summer activity in Gloucester is grabbing a pizza from Surfside Subs and having a picnic on Niles Beach while the light fades over the harbor’s horizon. Sun, sand and pizza . . . what more could a girl want?!
FISHING
Being raised in a family of fishermen has shown me how hard work and dedication pays off. As the great, age-old saying goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” (Chinese Proverb) My grandfather, uncles and cousins have been providing our family with food on the table for many decades, and whatever was caught, we ate. From whiting to haddock to shellfish and more, I have always been grateful for what was in front of me and especially grateful that the men in our family were home safe and sound.
While many of my relatives have retired from the commercial fishing industry, there is one important fellow that has made a name for himself in the fishing charter industry. My cousin, Captain Frank Taormina of Sambvca Charters has taken his lifelong passion and turned it into a career. I have never met anyone with more of a dying love for the ocean than Frank.
If you would like to gain a true yet rare perspective of Gloucester, I highly recommend a day out at sea with Captain Frank. He will take you on a trip that will never be forgotten. And the best part . . . you can catch your own dinner! For further information visit www.sambvcacharters.com or @northshoreanglers.
BOATING
Ever since I can remember, my summer weekends have been spent floating down the Annisquam River and beaching at Wingaersheek Beach. Tying up lines and throwing out anchors is something that my family and friends of Gloucester know all too well.
Whether it's a day cruising in the sun or dropping a line in the water, Gloucester's many nooks and crannies offer so much to explore. If you have not already done so, take a ride around Cape Ann and the entire island of Gloucester and Rockport. From the ocean view, you can find sites such as the infamous Hammond's Castle, Motif No. 1, Rocky Neck (one of the oldest continuously operating art colonies in the U.S.) and the working waterfront of Gloucester Harbor, just to name a few! Visiting from out of town? Hop on the Water Shuttle for $10 and ride all day around Gloucester's Harbor.
DINING
In the hot summer sun, who wants to dine indoors? There are many waterfront restaurants that line the coast and some are even accessible by waterway! Just a few weeks ago, I took a boat ride through the harbor and decided to stop for lunch. The Cape Ann Brewing Company has always been a favorite of mine for their spectacular location, fresh ocean to table food and tasty craft beer! I love watching the fishing boats pass in and out of the harbor and hearing the seagulls calling in the background as I enjoy a delicious fish taco.
As you can see from this short list, life on the water can be quite the adventure. There are so many more activities that include sailing, stand up paddle boarding, wandering around Stage Fort Park, taking a ride around the Back Shore and visiting The Fisherman's Statue. Some days a simple walk on Good Harbor Beach is all you need to get your fix!
A special thanks to photographer Dave Gleeson !
PEACE&LOVE
ARIANA
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