Day trip to Essex and Gloucester

Recently did a day trip to Gloucester and Essex with my friend MPK. We tend to like to go with his sis TK but she was unavailable and I had to change the dates. (Current situation of taking care of family and some finagling with the sister).

I got to try tosome Woodman's fried clams. This was the highlight of the trip. But knowing my friend, I had to be a bit prepared for our trip. I had to do some work errands post office and drop off a UPS package. Then I find out there is construction on the "D" line and I did not know where to pick up the bus. I ended up walking over to the "E" Line. Then I got off from the #39 bus at Prudential to get some tourist info. (I am glad I had the foresight as it aided with our travel plans with maps/addresses and phone numbers). I made it our preordained time of 10:30 and I got there at 10:36AM. (phew!) One of the escalators at PORTER is being fixed. (It is the deepest train stop that I am aware of in the Boston metro system). By the time I walked up to the top, I was very tired.

Woodmans was fun and enjoyable. Then we did the Essex Shipbuilders Museum (it is listed as one of the things to do before you die). We did get caught in a huge passing thunderstorm. I did get drenched. Luckily after we were in the musuem, it was all over and the sun was out.
We learned how important white oak is great for ships as they do not have mold and are strong. Also it was only until after WWII when iron was cheaper that wood ships slowly got out of commission. At the height of ship building there were 15 ship builders that lined up along the Essex area. Now there is the occasional boat that is built but not like before.
Then with our limited time we decided to go to Cogswell Grant (A local historic home) filled with tons of American Folk Art (the former owner) loved to collect things---ostrich eggs, birds, shaker boxes, paintings of local area inhabitants etc. This musuem is only by tour only (one every hour). We lucked out and got onto the 3pm tour.

Then off to Gloucester we went driving along 133 and then took the requisite pics with the Fishermen's Wives memorial and the Fishermen's Memorial before driving quickly through the Main Street of Gloucester. I took some pics of the cool Town Hall and we visited the Cape Ann Historical Museum. The special exhibit was nice. I liked some of the permanent collection stuff---the ivory figurines of Chun Lung and Chun Ling (Qin Dynasty in China the Emperor and his consort) which was really cool.

Then we made some purchases and got caught in the rain storm (before drivin back into Boston). I had some dinner plans in the South End but I got there slightly later than expected despite the North Shore traffic.