Unexpected Cruise !

Sunday with a forecast of thunderstorms,going out on the boat was not on my mind. But with my 7 year old nephew spending the day at my house, it was a matter of time when the subject came up. I promised him if the radar looked favorable, we can go.So a look on the computer I could see we had at least a 3 hour window to make a trip out. It turned out to be a decent day,a fair amount of boat traffic and the "coasties" playing horseshoes with some along the piers fishing.

Around da hahba !

After the Dory races I decided to go for a little ride. With temps in the mid to high 70's and low humidity it was one of those days you hope for. A slight haze hangs in the air along with the gulls and comerants,light breezes catch a few sails and boats of all shapes and sizes gently slap the seas.

International Dory Races !

Weather wise it was just about as perfect day you could have for the International Dory Races between rowers from Canada and USA. Keeping order were the Committee boats "Cove Dweller" and "No More" skippered by Skip Leveille along with the Gloucester Harbor Master boat. The gig "Gannet was on hand to watch and the races were well organized and fun to see.I took special interest in the main event. Dory mates Erik Dombrowski and Glenn Harrington beat their Canadian counterparts Wylie Blades(great hockey name) and Donny Mahanney. I coached Harrington during his high school football days!

Summer is around the corner!

On Saturday morning the annual International Dory Races will be held off the Jodrey Fish Pier between crews from Canada and USA. Then next week is the St. Peter's Fiesta. Fireworks will fill the sky and summer will be in full swing!

Schooner "Thomas E. Lannon"

Oh how I wished...I was into photography in 1997! Back then I was working in Topsfield and every morning on my way to work I'd pass through Essex and see the progress of the building of the schooner "Thomas E. Lannon". I would slow down and look right cranning my neck for a glimpse on what it must of been like during the heyday of building schooners in Essex.And on the way home look left for another glimpse. Now that I think of it,it's a wonder I never had an accident! I was on "auto pilot" those days and wished I could be the one who's dreams were being created out of oak,hemp and tar! Born in Essex and living in Gloucester the schooner is a fixture now among the fishing and pleasure vessels and as much the old Paint Factory has become an icon, the "TEL" has become a living icon ever changing the Gloucester harbor scenery.
Captain Tom Ellis and his schooner "Thomas E. Lannon":

Flag Day ! But these are from yesterday

Flag Day June 14 2008...When I was in elementary school, members of the high school ROTC would perform an historical presentation of the history of our flag. Dressed in military gear the cadets would march down to the auditorium stage while a member on the podium would give facts about each flag. An impressive display for the younger audience seeing shinning swords and glistening steel helmuts.All these photo's are from yesterday's excursion and some..... "Old Glory" is as proud as ever!