July 25: Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Newburyport

Humid today, but Marthe and I forged ahead, and the first place we stopped was Ipswich and Henry Bear’s Park, where I bought a butterfly catcher for Owen (Marthe’s grandson) and bubbles and a firefly flashlight for Norah, her granddaughter, in Ipswich.,  After that we explored the following area to the north of Hamilton:  

1. more of Ipswich, a coastal town in Essex County and home to Willowdale State Forest and Sandy Point State Reservation, including the southern part of Plum Island.  It has a vibrant tourist industry and is famous for its clams and for Crane Beach, a barrier beach near the Crane estate.  It was incorporated as a town in 1634;

2. Rowley, incorporated in 1639.  1643 and 1645 saw the construction of a fulling mill and grist mill.  The town became known for its hemp and flax cloth as well as cotton; 

3. Newbury, where the Coffin House (1678) the Dole-Little House (1715), and the Swett-Ilsley House (1670) attracted our attention, and where we spent some time at the Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm (1690).  The 230-acre site includes a 1690 manor house that served as the country seat of wealthy Newburyport merchants, and an attached farmhouse that was home to a Lithuanian family for most of the 20th c.  The Farm fosters animals in partnership with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and there we saw goats, sheep, chicken and horses.  There were no tours that day, but normally, groups can learn about life on a farm over the centuries through hands-on activities.  We had stopped by a farmer’s market to purchase drinks, and Marthe brought along leftover pizza and cherries.  It was lovely to have a picnic outside, and afterwards we made our way to...

4. Newburyport, a small coastal, scenic and historic city in Essex County.  It is an historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry.  At one time in its history, Newburyport had been an important center of the shipbuilding industry.  The mooring, winter storage and maintenance of recreational boats, motor and sail, still contribute a large part of the city’s income.  Some grand houses testified to the wealth of this city.  

We drove through Newburyport, then picked up Owen at his outdoor camp.  On our way back to Hamilton, we stopped by Down River Ice Cream and had a scoop of various ice creams a person, waiting under the eaves of the building until a vigorous shower passed and we were able to continue home.  We returned home, and while Owen and I played the new Scrabble game I bought for him and his sister, Marthe took a well-deserved rest.  Quite adept at the game, Owen learned new words like “feisty,” “fable,” and “tarn.”  Eventually, Josh came home and Marthe’s daughter Sarah arrived as well, and Marthe, Sarah and I drove to Beverly for dinner while Josh had dinner with Owen.  Our dinner was superb, and consisted of asparagus, watercress, and gazpacho soups, salmon and cream cheese open-faced sandwiches as well as a fine salad.  I had an elderberry and rose lemonade drink that was unusually good, and then we walked in the gathering dark to Atomic Cafe for a final drink of various types of Chais (mine was Bombay Chai, which was wonderful).

Just a few minutes ago, Sarah left for her home, and now Marthe and Josh have gone to bed.  A bit tired myself.  Tomorrow we go back to Boston, as Marthe has a dermatologist appointment in the city, and she is going to drop me at the MFA Boston.  Another fine day!  Enjoy the pictures, and have a good evening.  God bless, Sylvia