The Mini-Vacation: Wandering Massachusetts

Saturday I had breakfast with Mariano, who was kind enough to let me crash on his futon, said my good-byes and left to wander towards Marblehead. Mind you I did not make any hotel reservations, placing myself in the hands of fate. I recommend to anyone that they do that at least once in their lives. Go somewhere without a plan. It's liberating. I went into Marblehead and just took the town in. Spent some time on Old Burial Hill looking at headstones and looking over the harbor just visible over the tops of houses. For the most part I just drove around the area from Swampscott to Salem. The homogenation of America is well on its way. I stumbled across Captain Jack's Inn. I couldn't have found a better place to stay if I had planned it. It was an ocean front property with a pool and a jacuzzi and a winding access down to the ocean. I took advantage of that access to do sunset and morning yoga and it was terrific. The caretakers were very warm and eager to help me find whatever it was I was looking for. I highly recommend staying there to anyone. Here's the view from the third floor.


In the following conversations can be found a multitude of reasons why I am an idiot.

When calling the inn to see if they had rooms available.

Me: Hi! Do you have any rooms available?
Him: Fooorrr?
Me:(pause) For me to stay in! (uber cutesy voice in full force)
Him: (long pause)No. For how many people?

When asking about kayaking rentals in the area.

Me: Do you know if kayaking is allowed in the bay?
Her: What bay? You mean...the OCEAN?
Me: ...ok...(uber soft, uber small voice)

After a good fried oyster dinner at Dube's and a good night's rest I headed to Marblehead to hunt for some kayaking. I ran across a group from
Hobie doing a kayaking demo. How awesome is that?! I got to kayak the Atlantic Ocean rental fee free! I kept asking around and there was this myth that this guy sometimes rented out kayaks in Marblehead but most of the people I talked to knew nothing about it. So taking the locals' advice I headed north to Essex to kayak some more. I spent 3 hours kayaking the Essex River Basin. We took a break mid-way to lounge at a half-deserted beach.

Just the way I like them.

After that I ate 3lbs (that's right 3 POUNDS) of steamed clams, a box of onion rings, and a corn on the cobb at Woodman's. I was just settling into my meal when a group of three approached me.

Him: Wow. I gotta tell ya'. I just needed to come over here and say I thought I was eating a lot but wow. (accompanied by a pat on my shoulder)
Her: God bless you!
Me: Thanks...?

That's right bitches. I ate it all. After that it was a long drive home.