Salem - So much more than Witches

Next in our tour of the Northern Shore led us south into Salem and Marblehead.  The first thing we learned is that Salem is so much more than witches.  Other than October, when it can be crazier than Mardi Gras, many of the witchy events are closed.  First up - The House of Seven Gables.  This property includes the house that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne to write the book as well as the house the Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in.  When you first arrive, walk to the back of the property.  You will see a spectacular view of Salem Harbor.

Its light house.

And the wooden schooner Fame.

From there, if your tour time allow, proceed into the Nathaniel Hawthorne house for a self guided tour. The walls have beautiful paintings and there are many displays of Hawthorne history.  The tour of the seven gables house includes a hidden passageway.  Pictures are not allowed inside the houses, so you will have to go see for yourselves.

Next, enter the address for the Salem Visitor Center into your GPS.  Why?  Right across the street is a very reasonably priced garage.  Park in the garage and cross the street to the visitors center.

Go in the visitor center, pick up a walking map.  You really don't need it, but if you decide to get to something specific, it will help you know where you are.  While you are in there, check out the information about the Salem Maritime National Historic site.  There used to be a separate building, but it is now housed in the visitor center.

If you want to go to the Salem Witch Museum, it is behind the visitor center.  It is a nice presentation, but it is not suitable for small children or children that frighten easily.  The opening of the presentation is a bit intense.

When you finish at the with museum, or if you don't want to go there, look down until you find a red line.  This is a walking tour of Salem that will hit all of the high points - including the Peabody Essex Museum and the Pirates Museum.

Our first stop was the Salem Museum.  This is a free museum run by a partnership of Gordon College and the city of Salem.  It touches on the lesser known history of Salem.  While we were there, a special exhibit of Parker Brothers Games was the feature.

After the museum, we were a bit peckish, so lunch was in order.  Hubby decided to stop at Rockafellas.    We both had a wonderful vegetarian option - I had a grilled panini with vegetables and goat cheese, Hubby had a veggie wrap.

Next stop in our tour was the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.  On the way, we saw The Burying Point and the Salem Witch Trial Memorial.

If you like to shop, I also suggest a detour through Pickering Wharf.

Anchored at the Maritime Exhibit is the Friendship of Salem.  

While we were there, Navy Seaman were being trained by park service employees on how to lash the main sail in preparation for a sail in the coming weeks.

The ship is docked at Derby Wharf.  While you are there, walk the half mile wharf and visit the lighthouse.

From here, continue following the red line until it returns you to your parking garage.  It is well worth the time to do the full walking tour.

Hammond Castle Museum

After lunch in Gloucester, we wanted to continue exploring but it was HOT and we had finally cooled down, so we looked for something to do indoors.  Pulled out the GPS and searched attractions and found a castle.  How could we pass it up?  As you approached the castle, the following plaque gave you a flavor of what was to come - and the stonework was beautiful.

Don't Blink.

Inside the front door is the gift shop.  Although a tour is always available, it is usually self guided.  We were fortunate to get there just as a tour by the curator began.  From the gift shop, you go down a stone spiral staircase to the main living area.  The staircase has windows with beautiful wooden covers.

Just off the bottom of the stairs is a small sitting room.

The reason you go down to the main living area is because the castle was built to house a pipe organ.  There are nine stories of pipes - the main living area is huge and amazing.  It houses a very eclectic collection, including a skull and a very large chair.  The pipe organ has a wonderful sound and was used for recitals.  The below picture shows the top of the pipes that began two stories below where we stood.  The ceiling above us was 7 stories up, so you will have to go see it for yourself, my camera just did not do it justice.

The castle was built for John Hammond's wife - it had over 20 rooms and they lived there with 4 servants.  The main living area was too large for Mrs. Hammond, so there was a smaller space off of the main living room.

From the main living area, you can go to the kitchen, the dining room or the pool.  Yes, this castle has a beautiful indoor pool.

As you continue the tour, you see beautiful bedrooms; a fantastic domed, circular library; and a laboratory!  Just when you think it could not get better, you are invited outside to see the drawbridge in front and the beautiful views behind.

To learn more about this fascinating home, go to their website and plan your trip.  Hopefully, this small sample of the history and beauty of this wonderful property will encourage you to try and like this gem in Gloucester.

Gloucester, MA

After arriving in Rockport, we strolled through the town and had a lovely dinner (restaurant information to come later).  The next day, we went to Gloucester.  Hubby and I could think of 4 ways to pronounce it, none of them correct.  The website on the pier should have given it away, but we waited for someone to say it - "Glosta" - then, we didn't quite sound as much like tourists any longer.  We started our walk at the Fisherman's Memorial.  This memorial is a monument to watch over the fisherman returning each day as well as a listing of all of those that have been lost at sea.  There is at least one name for each year, the last one listed was for 2012.

From there, we walked along the walker friendly waterfront, across a drawbridge, toward Stage Fort Park.  Right after crossing the bridge, we watched a golden retriever play in the water then had an opportunity to see the bridge in operation.

We then continued along the flag-lined waterfront to the fort.

Stage Fort parks has beautiful views of the harbor - including the lighthouse, drawbridge and a small swimming cove.  It also has cannons in place that were used during the revolutionary war.

After the fort, we walked around and visited many of the little shops found in the streets above the waterfront.  Hubby took some pictures of the courthouse because of its character and we walked along the waterfront.  After lunch, we headed of in search of a castle...

Rockport, MA

Vacation Time!  The last few years have been spent in Corolla, NC and we had a fabulous time with friends.  This year, I wanted to see more of the country, so I asked Hubby to pick a direction.  He picked north.  So, I did some research and we landed in Rockport, Massachusetts at the Sea Mist Cottage (more to come on the cottage).

Rockport is a lovely community on Cape Ann that is very walker and dog friendly.  We walked everywhere - including getting caught in a rainstorm on the way back from dinner one night.  What is a vacation without sprinting through the rain?

There are well marked walking trails, ample sidewalks and lighthouses galore.  If you want to drive into the town, it is well worth the trip, but please note that their meters are enforced 7 days a week, so be prepared with change.

The first walking path I found led to an overlook that had this bench.  I thought it was such a wonderful saying, that I wanted to remember it.  The picture immediately following is the view that you could enjoy while sitting on the bench.

Continuing on my walk that morning, I found the following cove.

That was the end of the walk that morning, but this morning, I went left instead of right.  For my Doctor Who Fans - Go Left, Donna.  I found the Old Granite Pier.

On the way back from the pier, my artsy side took over.

And another angle of the hazy light house.

Come to Rockport, bring your walking shoes and explore.

Chocolate Dr. Pepper Cake

What is better than chocolate cake with a touch of cinnamon?  One that can have different toppings every time you make it.  This was a hit with the kids on a creek float day.  Don't want nuts?  Use coconut and coconut extract in the topping instead of peanuts and vanilla.

  1 Cup Salted Butter                            1/2 Cup Sour Milk

  1 Cup Dr Pepper                                1 Tsp baking soda

  1/2 Cup Cocoa                                 Topping

  1 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon                            1/2 Cup Dr Pepper

  2 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour               1/4 Cup Salted Butter

  1 Cup sugar                                        3 Tbl Cocoa

  1 Cup Brown Sugar                            3 Cup Powdered Sugar

  1/2 Tsp Salt                                        1/2 Cup Dry Roasted Peanuts

  2 Large Eggs                                     1 Tsp Vanilla
  1 Tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour a 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan, set aside.

Melt butter and add Dr. Pepper.  Set aside.

Sift together flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cocoa.  Set aside.

Beat together eggs, sour milk, vanilla, and baking soda.   

Add hot Dr. Pepper mixture.  Stir in flour mixture and blend well.  Pour into pan and bake for 25 minutes.

Just before the cake is done, put the powdered sugar, nuts and vanilla in a bowl.  

Put the butter and cocoa in a pot and heat until the butter is melted.   

Remove from heat and add the Dr. Pepper.  Pour over the sugar mixture and stir until well blended.

When the cakie is done, remove cake from the oven.   

Spread 1/2 of the topping on the cake while it is still hot.  Wait 15 minutes, carefully add remaining topping.

Wood Plank Spice Rubbed Salmon

Next up on our egg - wood plank cooking.  I purchased and soaked a cedar wood plank per the package directions.

While it was soaking, I made a spice rub for the salmon.  I mixed together the following:

1 tbl light brown sugar
1 tbl kosher salt
1 tsp ancho chili powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp black pepper

Once mixed, I started the grill and put it at about 325 degrees.

I had one large piece of salmon.  I rubbed the spice on the belly of the salmon.

I then let the fish sit while I put the wood plank on the grill for 3 minutes. 

After 3 minutes, the plank was turned and the fish was placed skin side down on the plank. 

The lid was closed and the salmon cooked about 20 minutes - the salmon flaked very easily with a fork.