Crowded Beaches

Antonio and his friend at Salisbury Beach

I can't believe how crowded the beaches here in the US can get to the point that we always ended up leaving sooner than we planned. I don't mind crowds if it's only me and my husband but I risk exposing my son to people who are oblivious of their surrounding. I think you know what I mean here. I don't think they should be in the beach, they should be somewhere secluded like an island where it's only them and the coconut trees. I hope I can find a kid-friendly beach or is there such a place?

Visiting Newburyport, MA

As what I've mentioned in my previous post, we went to Newburyport on Labor Day. It was a very gorgeous day and I'd feel bad if we just stayed at home. We just spent most of our time at the Old Seaport, watching the boats and simply enjoying the nice weather. I've never seen so many boats in my life. We did a harbor cruise after a hearty lunch at the Black Cow Tap & Grill. I told myself I'm not going to spend more than my budget but foods were everywhere and when it comes to eating I don't have a great self-control.

Newburyport has a rich history. It is located on the south bank of the Merrimack River at the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean. Newbury was the original name of Newburyport and the Pawtucket Indians were its first settlers. In the 1630's the Europen immigrants came who founded the city of Newbury. In 1764, the city became successful with maritime as its main economic activity. However, in 1811 the city suffered from an economic downfall resulting from a deadly fire coupled with strict trading policies and the national financial panic of 1816. But in 1851 technological innovations led to a financial boost only to suffer another financial decline in the early twentieth century. All these financial turmoil didn't stop the city from launching an extraordinary urban renewal project that transformed Newburyport to what it is now - a beautiful New England port.

Visiting Crane Beach In Ipswich, MA

Crane Beach is probably the cleanest beach I've been to in Massachusetts. We went there late Sunday afternoon hoping to catch the beautiful sunset but unfortunately we had to leave at 7.21pm per (just when the sun was starting to go down) Crane Beach rule. Crane Beach is one of the most picturesque swimming beaches in all of New England because of its long stretch of white sands. It is also among the world's most important nesting sites for the threatened piping plover and has been nationally recognized for its successful shorebird protection program.

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Sayonara To Summer!

My summer ends when Antonio goes back to school and today is his first day. Our summer was definitely fun albeit short. Weather-wise, we had more gloomy days than sunny ones. But the best part is in Massachusetts you'll always find things to do no matter what the day is like.

I'd like to share with you some pictures of our Labor Day weekend. When Antonio got back from Maine on Sunday we went straight to Essex, MA to have some lobsters. I mean, what is summer without lobsters? We went to Woodmans which is the most famous place to get your lobsters in Massachusetts. It's even featured in the book 1,000 places to see before you die. There was a line but people were willing to wait. I guess everybody was craving for some lobsters.

On Monday we went to Newburyport, MA. We invited Antonio's friend with us. We had our lunch at Black Cow Tap & Grill right in the old seaport. After lunch we did a 45-minute harbor cruise. It was fun!

(More pictures to come).

Visiting Wellesley, MA

I got the AAA September 2008 newsletter on Thursday and they wrote about the Elm Banks Reservation in Wellesley. I instantly got interested in the place because of its beautiful 12 gardens set on 32 acres of manicured land, thanks to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. So after lunch today we headed to Wellesley which is only a 44-minute drive. Wellesley is one of the richest towns in Massachusetts and it's also home to the prestigious women college outside of Boston -- Wellesley College, the alma mater of Sen. Hillary Clinton.

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The Secret Garden

Yes, this is called "The Secret Garden" because it is hidden from view when entering the Lawn Garden at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden. I highly recommend this place to all garden lovers out there.

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Visiting Tower Hill Botanic Garden

I like gardens. My father has a garden back home and I remember he always wakes up early in the morning to tend to the flowers. It was his daily routine. I'd help him once in a while since he didn't want anybody messing up with the plants. He'd rather do everything himself.

I'll probably do gardening when I'm already in my senior year but right now I enjoy visiting different gardens. Last week we went to Boylston, MA to check out the Tower Hill Botanic Garden. It's a very big place and I'm sure all garden lovers will find it beautiful. They even have a vegetable garden. I saw some families having a picnic and it's a good idea especially if you want to stay around. We had our lunch at Davidian Bros. which is only five minutes away from the Tower Hill Botanic Garden.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A PAID POST FOR ANY COMPANY. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE.

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Visiting Historic Deerfield

While we were in South Deerfield last weekend we also visited Historic Deerfield. The place was so quiet, I think we're the only ones around in the area. Here are two of the photos I took.

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Mountain Trips

I have mentioned in my other blog that Antonio can't go swimming for the rest of the summer to avoid more ear infections per his pediatrician. One good thing about Massachusetts is that you never run out of things to do or places to see. We decided to spend the rest of our summer checking out the beautiful mountains here in Massachusetts, the thing is we have to drive for hours to see them. I've always loved the countryside so it's not a problem. Antonio and my husband loves the scenic drives too.

Visiting Mount Sugarloaf

We had a perfect day yesterday so we decided to do a road trip. We drove 2 hours to get to Mount Sugarloaf in South Deerfield, MA but it was worth it. The view from the Mount Sugarloaf observation deck was breathtaking --- the Connecticut River, the Pioneer Valley and the Pelham and Berkshire Hills. The drive to the summit was 'cool' according to Antonio but I was nervous that my hands were sweating.

A picnic area is open to all so don't forget to bring foods if you plan to go there. You can even grill if want to. We only paid $2.00 for the parking fee. It's a perfect staycation.

Visiting Glen Magna Farms

Glen Magna Farms is a very quiet place which makes it a perfect setting for outdoor celebrations like weddings, birthdays, or family reunions. It is owned by the Danvers Historical Society.

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K-9

One of the highlights of the BBQ party that was sponsored by Antonio's karate school last week was the K9 demonstration by the Wilmington Police K9 Unit. It was my first time to see a K9 demonstration and I couldn't believe how smart and well-trained these dogs are. The police said that he got his dog from Czech Republic. He added that the dogs here in America are trained for how they look and not for what they are capable of doing. I learned something that day.

2008 Revere Sand Sculpting Festival Winners

1st place

Carl Jara

Cleveland Heights, OH

"Euphoria"

2nd place

Thomas Koet

Melbourne, FL

"Catching Falling Stars"

3rd place

Fred Mallett

South Padre Island, TX

"Everyone Needs A Hobby"4th place

Katie Corning

Fort Myers, FL

"Lost"5th place

Dan Belcher

St Louis, MO

"The Flame"


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For questions about the photos, please contact me.

Visiting Minute Man Park

We visited the Minute Man National Historical Park where the American Revolution began. The opening battle on April 19, 1775 is known to history as "the shot heard around the world". Minute Man National Historical Park is home to many unique and interesting historic structures, interpretive walking trails and cultural landscape.

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Gillette Stadium

While we're in Foxboro last month we made sure that we check out Gillette Stadium. If you're from New England I'm sure this place is familiar to you. Gillette Stadium is the home of the New England Patriots. It's still the off season when we're there so the place was quiet except for a few people who took some photos of the stadium. I took some pictures too. Here they are.

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Visiting Funway USA In Foxboro

I haven't heard about Funway USA until Antonio asked me if we can check out the place. Antonio watches TV more than I do and that's how he found out about Funway USA. It was an overcast day when we went there so we didn't get to try their bumper boat rides but we had fun. You can visit their website at funwayusa.net. Check out the pictures.

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Visiting Mount Auburn Cemetery

Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts was the first large-scale designed landscape open to the public in the US. Founded in 1831, Mount Auburn Cemetery has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior.

Mount Auburn Cemetery is a garden cemetery and it is H-U-G-E. I have observed that the cemetery has a very peaceful ambiance, a perfect resting place. I was awed by the beautiful and masterfully crafted headstones. Thousands of distinguished people are buried here. Thses are the photos I took when we visited Mount Auburn Cemetery on June 28th.

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Visiting Castle Island

Castle Island's main attraction is Fort Independence, a pentagonal five-bastioned, granite fort built between 1834 and 1851. Fort Independence and Castle Island are on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and the fort is a National Historic Landmark. This 22-acre urban park is located in South Boston. Here are the photos I took of Castle Island on June 28th.

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Visiting Saugus Iron Works

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site celebrated its Grand Reopening on May 16-17, 2008 after several major construction projects. Saugus Iron Works was once America’s earliest large-scale iron making plant. English ironworkers and Scottish prisoners of war forged a path here from the British Isles in 1646. Here are photos I took when we visited this historical site on June 20th.

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Visiting Richardson's Ice Cream

Richardson's Ice Cream in Middleton is one of the places to see in Massachusetts. The place is only fifteen minutes or less from where we live so it was a convenient trip. Richardson's is known for its mouth-watering homemade ice cream. The farm is just at the back of the ice cream shop. There is a miniature golf next to the ice cream shop where you can lose a few of those thousands of calories you've consumed. Here are the photos I took when we visited the place on June 21st.

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