It has been at least 13 years since we have been to Cranes Beach in Ipswich MA. Last time we went was in the middle of the summer and had no idea that parking would be so expensive ... nor did anyone warn us of the wretched green-head flies that bite!
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2013/07/24/greenhead-season-day-beach/Zw8FGfuy51mjb55jQGYMKI/story.html
So after more than a decade we decided on the last Saturday of 2018 to once again visit Crane Beach. After all.. it wouldn't be crowded in winter and of course they wouldn't charge for parking... right? WRONG!!!!!!!!
From Wiki:
"Crane Beach was established in 1945 as a gift from Richard T. Crane Jr., son of Richard T. Crane, and his family. Along with Castle Hill and the Crane Wildlife Refuge, it is owned and maintained by The Trustees of Reservations."
This time there was a line (A LINE?) to get into the beach parking lot. (Did i mention it is cold and windy today?) And parking was $10. Really... $10 for what? It is winter! (In summer it is $30!) Can you say snootie?
But we paid and parked. Hiked over the sandy hills through whipping cold winds to the beach.
Yes it is gorgeous. But not the same magical feel as any of the other beaches we have visited or haunt. Then again, we are not muggles and there were several there today. Perhaps it was crowded with tourists visiting relatives.
The beach is big, lots of sand. Not many sea shells and the wind was just too wild to enjoy it all. Overall i would say this is my least favorite beach on the North Shore. Ironically it is voted best beach by most! That is fine. I prefer the quiet beaches filled with wild life and no humans!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_Beach
The highlight of this trip was meeting Dory the horse who seemed to love walking through the waves. A magnificent being and such a handsome boy.
I did love the colors of the sea - vibrant teal greens and dark hues. Too hard to capture on a cell phone camera. Would be a great place to bring your water colors and paint - if the wind is kind.
There may be more sea shells on a less crowded day or at low tide. I did find an Angel shell which i have not seen on any of the other beaches here so far. Lots of clams, some huge ones and one snail.
Angel sea shell
We were frozen after walking back to the car. Happy to ride back to Salem and thaw out. Then we hopped back into the car to Winter Island just to get a sense of ahhhhhhhh! More photos tomorrow.
Winter Island Salem MA
Oh Aunty Em!
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