Member Blogs

Well, it's that time of the year again when the yard has been weeded just about three times and summer is in full swing.

My son and the dog and I will now spend every day watching the sunrise and set on Crane's Beach -- a 5-mile wildlife refuge and beach just 5 minutes from where we live. Living on the North Shore in New England brings to mind hazy lazy memories of Norman Rockwellian days.  The best things about being on the coast are the sound in the not to far off distance of children laughing and squealing with delight as they splash each other or body surf in the gentle waves that break off the protected shoals near Plum Island Sound and Little Neck Sound.  The sandcastle and sandsculpting contest will be upon us soon and there are great displays from amateurs to people who compete nationally.

All around you are smells that spark memories...the suntan lotion, the seaweed washing ashore after a storm, someone on the blanket next to you is eating salt-n-vinegar potato chips (my fave:))  Showing my son how to dig for clams; watching the bubbles as the clams try to tunnel deeper into the sand to avoid the ever watchful seagulls or the occassional clammer.  Walking down towards the Cape Ann side of the shore to search for sand dollars and razor clams and finding several of them stuffed in my son's pockets while doing laundry....whew!

The times I most enjoy -- being a resident -- are the times when the tourists and visitors pack their stuff up and leave.  All of the neighbors soon appear with picnic baskets, beach balls, badmitton kits, bocce balls and other essential paraphenelia to enjoy the evenings at the beach.  As sunset approaches, folks start walking towards Crane's Estate deftly walking around the smooth and jagged rocks that separate the public beach from Steep Hill Beach.  Once there the most magnificent sunset with pink, orange, lilac, and periwinkle hues envelopes you...so much so it can bring all kinds of emotions to the forefront.  Yep, this is my favorite thing about the summer.  These are memories I will pass along to my child and hopefully someday my grandchildren.