Monday, August 9, 2021

Up To and Around Cape Ann

 


Above is a T-shirt that really tells the story.  From the event's first 3 miles in the Annisquam River described as "There's deep water here somewhere" to the need for "Channeling Howard Blackburn" during the longest and toughest stretch along the Back Shore, the shirt was spot on. 
 
The 2021 Blackburn Challenge was held this past Saturday in Gloucester, MA.  Somehow the Cape Ann Rowing (and paddling) Club met the challenge of these COVID times and came up with a modified plan that, though scaled back in some regards, still allowed participants to row or paddle the nearly 20 miles around Cape Ann.  

For me this was a special Blackburn as it was my 30th, and to mark the occasion my wife and I splurged with a stay at Gloucester's Beauport Hotel which stands right at the Finish Line.  This afforded me the opportunity to launch, and later finish, at the same spot...a complete 360 degree circumnavigation.  The view of Gloucester Harbor from our balcony...


Before heading to Gloucester a Wednesday paddle on the Concord River provided an encounter with this immature black-crowned night heron (or possibly a bittern)...    

Trash encountered along the Concord...



2 comments:

suep said...

Hi Al ! happy to see that you made it to another Blackburn this weekend ... wow! Sorry I have just now done some catching up to your fine blog. The eagle nest is great news too.
I have a place reserved for a couple of days in Rockport --the end of September -- but wondering what conditions are like on Cape Ann, what with Covid and all ... getting cold feet about travelling ANY where. (Even though my area is having a slightly worse time of it right now) - well it's not till the end of September, things may get better -- or worse ! Playing it by ear for the moment. I miss the ocean ! (Had to cancel last year's vacation there.)
Anyway, glad to see you & Mrs T'paddler got to celebrate in luxury at the Beauport !
Sue the other Pierce

Al said...

Hello Sue, Great to hear from you and thanks for dropping in on my blog. I understand your Covid concerns as we're all wondering where things are headed. Cape Ann looked fairly normal this past weekend with most folks (including vaccinated) masking up when indoors. Some were also masked outdoors as well. The hotel had precautions in place like only one party at a time in elevators. We drove out to the end of Rockport's Granite Pier where it was easy to forget all about the virus. Our overall impression is that folks are taking it seriously and being careful...therefore we felt safe. Hope things are still good for your visit in September as the ocean is such a great tonic. Pretty sure we saw the Ardelle out sailing in Gloucester Harbor.

Staying at the Beauport was quite a change from our usual camping! :) Al