Halloween Visitors!

Happy Halloween!  Today the marina had some special visitors - swans!  There were two adult swans and one baby swan.  They swam to the dock and we gave them some bread.  Such beautiful birds!

First Snowfall

The first snowfall on the boat - definitely didn't expect it to happen at the end of October!  We didn't get very much snow, but there was a dusting when we woke up this morning.  It melted quickly because of the strong sunlight.   Here are a couple of pictures!

Action and Adventure!

The movie R.I.P.D. was shooting a chase scene the other day. In order to get all the shots they had to use two helicopters. These helicopters were SO close to us - it felt like we were under attack!

Helicopters in the distance

It is the time of the year when people (who don't live at the marina year round) pull their boats out of the water. As of today the slips on either side of us are empty - very spacious and beautiful views all around!

I'd Rather Be Sailing

It was quite windy yesterday!  There were so many sailboats in the harbor - probably the most I had ever seen in the harbor at once.  I immediately thought of this song when I was watching them glide through the water.     

"I'd Rather Be Sailing" from A New Brain by William Finn

The Ghost Fleet

A beautiful sunset always makes up for a stormy day!  It was so foggy yesterday that I couldn't even see the boats on the other side of the dock.  However, the marina had a visitor yesterday.  When I looked outside my window I saw a little nose sticking out of the water - it was a seal!  

Sunset with the USS Constitution in the background

I would also like to share an interesting article about abandoned tankers (some of which look just like the tankers that pass through Boston Harbor on a daily basis):

"The biggest and most secretive gathering of ships in maritime history lies at anchor east of Singapore. Never before photographed, it is bigger than the U.S. and British navies combined but has no crew, no cargo and no destination  -  and is why your Christmas stocking may be on the light side this year"

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1212013/Revealed-The-ghost-fleet-recession-anchored-just-east-Singapore.html#ixzz1bMyUzL00

Here is a video about the Ghost Fleet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f63x8co2da8

Up Above

Oh my!  It has been a while since I last wrote a blog post - but, I'm back!  

I know I write a lot about the water [obviously!], however, tonight I find it fitting to write about the planes we see from the marina.  Tonight my dad is leaving for England to see his mother who is very ill and for the first time my mom and I can literally see him take off.  Very often we sit on the top deck of the boat and watch the planes jet out into the clear sky - a beautiful sight.  It is amazing to constantly see planes land and take off at such a close distance.  So tonight, at 10:55, my mom and I will watch for an American Airlines plane bound for London.

Also, here is a picture of the harbor when we took the Salem FastFerry on Columbus Day.  If you have a free day you should make an effort to take the Salem FastFerry - such a great way to see the beautiful harbor!  

A Stormy Weekend!

A very stormy weekend, indeed!  Tonight, however, the sky was beautiful!  The sun decided to make a short appearance!

On Friday the largest tanker that enters Boston Harbor decided to pay us a visit.  The GDF Suez Cape Ann tanker is responsible for delivering natural gas to Boston.  It is, therefore, quite dangerous!  Helicopters were flying over head and numerous police boats were surveying the harbor, not allowing people to exit the marina via boat.  It felt like we were in some action adventure movie!  

After seeing this tanker pass through the harbor, I strongly support wind turbines.  Some say that they are eye sores, which they may be, but wind is safe and more ecological!