NEWBURYPORT!

Newburyport was my favorite town in our excursion this time. It was such a nice little coastal town, with a very warm and inviting small town feel. We first went on the docks to look at the boats and ocean. Then we went over to the town center, where we came across a friendly police chief named Sargeant Reiss told us that his favorite restuarant was a place called Grog. Grog is a cool looking restuarant that serves sailors and townsfolk alike! We ventured to a wonderful little store called Richdales, which offered 25 cent hot dogs, and a whole lot of tourist items and other odds and ends. I really liked it there, and I hope that I can make my return sooner rather than later, when its sunny and warm!

NEWBURY!

Newbury is an old town on the coast of the North Shore. It is mainly residential now with many beautiful antique houses, and views of the water. There are also abundant marshes, and very green areas. While driving, we passed by the Governor's Academy, which apparently, was originally called the Governor Dummer Academy. The school changed their name in 2006 to avoid taunts from other schools, and also to propell the schools name further and get more exposure. I think it's pretty funny that a school established in 1763 would have such a fuss over the name nearly 250 years later.

DANVERS!

Oh Danvers! I was told to come here many times by many awesome people, and on this adventure, we spent the least amount of time here! Danvers is a town with a lot of history. Danvers was very involved in the Salem Witch Trials of the early 1690s, and the house of executed with Rebecca Nurse still stands to this day, and can be visited! Danvers is also known for its legendary "Danvers Lunatic Asylum" which I have been DYING to check out. It's supposedly built on the site of the house of John Hathorne, a judge during the Salem Witch Trials, and great-great-grandfather of Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of the House of the Seven Gables and the Scarlet Letter. I only passed through this time, but I plan on a full on visit to this town in the near future.

BOXFORD!

Boxford is a town nestled in the forest, filled with cute, old houses, and people! It is home to the Tyler Homestead, also known as WITCH HOLLOW FARM! The Tyler Homestead is a very famous haunted house, where a supposed witch from Boxford named Rebecca Eames said she was bewitched near. It's also home to the Boxford Community Store, known as "Jack's" or "Wayne's" depending on who you ask. Boxford is a small little town with a very decentralized population, the kind you see out in western Massachusetts. We stopped on the side of the road next to the river to take this picture, and we were terrified of the traffic coming up so closely! The sign here, if you can tell in the picture, is an old wooden town sign, as opposed to the newer metal ones. You can tell by the significant wear and tear on both sides.

ROWLEY!

Rowley is a nice little town on the North Shore with a lot of history. It was settled as a plantation for a few families. This place, I think is pretty cool, because it's supposedly right next to Innsmouth in the famous H.P. Lovecraft story "The Shadow Over Innsmouth". It's a pretty rad that this town borders the ruined, decrepit, Cthulu-loving town of Innsmouth. Rowley was rather quaint as well, and I learned of a diner there called the Agawam Diner. Now being a fan of diners, and food, I will eventually have to make a stop here and interview the workers. This diner is famous for its food, and history. Elvis Costello even shot the video for his song "45" here! What a lovely little town!

Elvis Costello "45" (Diner Version) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esTuz55bQe0

IPSWICH!

Ipswich is a coastal town on the North Shore, with a long history of being a seaport for northern Massachusetts, as well as manufacture. The town looks very prosperous, and it's a fun place to be.

We got a little confused looking for the signs leading to the different towns, but we eventually came across a sign for Ipswich. I have been to Ipswich a few times, and all of those times have been pleasant. Ipswich is noted for having excellent schools, and excellent people. Lindsay and Jamaica told us that Marty's Donut Land was a good place to eat, and by the looks of it, I would have to agree! The Downtown Area of Ipswich was a very quaint and vibrant section of town. The buildings and architecture were very pleasant, and most all of the shops were open, and working. I also have a few good friends in Ipswich, and they're all wonderful people!

TOPSFIELD!

Topsfield is a town on the North Shore of Massachusetts, which is bordered by a total of SIX towns! Topsfield has a lot of history, dating back to the colonial period, of rapid progress and change; yet it maintains its old, and small town appeal with its architecture and atmosphere. Topsfield is also home to the Topsfield Fair, that I wanted to go to last year because the Village People were playing! Unfortunately we wouldn't have made it in time, seeing as I live about an hour and a half away, on a good day.

Our Adventure this time started here, where I met up with my friends Jamaica and Lindsay, whom I met last year. They were wonderful tour guides, who showed us their favorite spots on the North Shore, as well as sharing many stories about things they've done. In Topsfield, we stopped at the Topsfield house of Pizza, where there was a very small, but usable bathroom. It was a cozy little place. After that, we went to this place called the Willowdale Estate, located in the Bradley Palmer State Park, which was a beautiful house that is apparently used primarally for weddings. I got out of the car and we took pictures in front of the house, but soon after, someone stepped out to see what was going on, and then we just ran away. Topsfield, from my experience, was a quaint, and very green looking town.