It’s wicked hard to leave Marblehead, especially on such a bright sunny morning. But off we go to another new port: Gloucester. With a fishing vessel as our guide out of the harbor, I take one last opportunity to soak in the beauty.

Good-bye Marblehead.

Today’s trip is not far, less than 20 nautical miles along the scenic coasts of Salem and Manchester, Massachusetts.

Marblehead to Gloucester.

Cape Ann castle.

Upon entering Gloucester Harbor, the sights, sounds, and smells of a major fisherman’s port assault us. It’s so very different from the idyllic harbor we just left. There isn’t a pleasure craft in sight. Every vessel docked, moored, or cruising seems to be built for one purpose only. Catching seafood and the support of boats catching seafood is all that matters here, and has been for centuries. No fancy houses or mansions line the shore. There’s no room for them, no use for them. This is a pure working harbor. As pure as any. More so than New Bedford. But that is where Gloucester’s beauty lies. There is nothing quite like it. We are both awestruck. And the gulls, so many gulls, their chatter a constant reminder of where we are. We rented a mooring from Browns Yacht Yard, and even though they told us the mooring number, we cant seem to find it, so I guess the first stop is their fuel dock for directions.

Might as well fuel up while we’re here.

The staff is friendly. The whole place just oozes New England charm.

I love places like this.

Just a stones throw away from the fuel dock, we find our mooring tucked between the North and South Channels. And it’s in a no-wake zone! That’s key in this busy harbor. I don’t know how we missed it the first time.

Ginger Lee making friends with the working boats.

The harbors of Marblehead and Gloucester couldn’t be more different, but they both have tremendous appeal. We have lots of exploring to do and plenty of time to do it. So for now, we will hang out here on Ginger Lee, cook up a light dinner, uncork a bottle of Cabernet, and let the darkness slowly wash over us. Tomorrow’s another day. I can’t wait!

Gloucester sunset.