The Other Cape
Cape Cod is what most people think of when you speak of the coast of Massachusetts. Cape Cod is south of Boston, but the other cape is north of Boston. It is Cape Ann; check it out on a map.
My niece Robin lives in Rockport, M.A., a truly maritime and touristy New England town. We left on the Bold Bus Line from 34th Street and 8th Avenue. The Red Bus headed up 10th Avenue in Manhattan, and I felt like a tourist. I don’t remember anything about 10th Avenue; it was full of shops and restaurants, similar, but not quite like 9th Avenue. Brand new, sparkling high-rise buildings could be seen all along the Hudson River.
Due to heavy traffic in NYC, the trip took five hours instead of four. Lorraine and I disembarked at South Station Boston and did some sightseeing.
A friendly Boston face recognized us as tourists and recommended a seafood restaurant. We had to traverse a defunct railroad bridge over the harbor to get there. It had a cutesy name, “The Barking Crab,” but the food was fantastic.
Usually I am partial to Manhattan Clam Chowder, but the New England, milky variety was delicious, with a surfeit of clam. The soft-shell fried clams were superb and so was the local Boston beer. Lorraine had a wedge of lettuce overflowing with crabmeat. What a lucky day!
Next we were headed for Rockport, M.A. on Cape Ann. Other towns to see in the area are Gloucester, Essex and Manchester – by the sea; it is easier to get to and easier to get around. To be continued.
