Initial Impressions
Christopher Setterlund
31 – 1/10/2011 – In My Footsteps Trip
1. This trip was up to the North Shore towns of Newbury, Newburyport, and Plum Island; $30 in gas, total of 290 driving miles.
2. Plum Island is a lot like driving on the Outer Cape and National Seashore. It was unbelievable cold and windy, good thing I brought gloves and then left them in the car, over and over.
3. There was a monument dedicated to a local firefighter at Plum Island Point, at first I thought it was a grave since the monument looks like a gravestone. Was wondering why they would let someone get buried at the beach, a nice contrast to the playground next to it. Of course it’s not true.
4. Arrived at Plum Island in time to see the house at 27 Annapolis Way get demolished. Erosion made it close to falling over the cliff and onto the beach. Even the house next door is in danger too, hope these people had some sort of insurance in case of erosion.
5. Got to see lots of news folk there at the house razing. Jack Harper from Channel 5 walked through my video, thanks a lot. NECN, Boston Globe, Channel 7 and FOX had helicopters circling overhead. Got interviewed by Channel 7 but they didn’t use it, good thing too, I had my Ring Bros. hat on instead of my Patriots one. I did see myself in a video on Boston.com twice though so it wasn’t a total loss.
6. Almost used my entire camera battery filming the house being smashed, waited and waited for them to finally knock the chimney down and it took out a satellite dish too which was cool.
7. Was excited to find out that my camera can charge using the USB port in my dash, the Mobile Command Center comes through yet again, saved me from buying a spare battery, $40!
8. Saw a pair of the oddest lighthouses possible. Front Range Light in Newburyport looks like a lighthouse shaped shed, I could have totally seen someone pulling a lawn mower out of it. Rear Range Light is out on the Main Street, nowhere near the water, made of brick and you can dine at the top of it.
9. Still trying to find out the origin of the Mill stores near those lighthouses. They are like mini-malls with ‘Mill No.’ 1-5 on top. They must have been old mills but they look so cool. Went up onto the roof of one, legally don’t worry, and got a great view of Plum Island River.
10. Steve got to witness the insanity of my trips now, I need a ‘This Vehicle Makes Frequent Stops’ sign on the back of my car. I can’t help it, I see the historic sign on a house and I pull off the road, it’s instinct now. Other cars don’t like it though, I have learned that.
11. Love it when so many spots I want to shoot are in the same area. Found this out when shooting City Hall in Newburyport and noticed a few familiar addresses. I must have looked like Daffy Duck running all over snapping away, it saves time to run but makes you look suspicious.
12. Got to say I really enjoy having Steve Drozell along when he can make it. Knowing the photography skill he has makes me up my own game and results in better quality photos by me.
13. Anytime you slip while trying to take a photo it’s never good, it’s worse when folks beep at you since you know they saw you almost go down, I still got my shot and stayed dry so I can take the embarrassment.
14. After passing it 3 times finally had to get a photo of this teal blue house with a ribbon on the door. While behind a stopped school bus, handed the camera to Steve who got the shot, what a cool looking house.
15. There are a bunch of these ‘mile stones’ scattered around Newbury, they date back to the early 1700’s. Some really cool artifacts but the search for them is tough, got lost a bit. Found 1 covered in snow so I whipped out my gym towel and brushed it off which drew some looks from kids leaving school but hey, I cam this far, I want a clear shot, y’know?
16. The ‘Witches Stone’ looks like something off of a cave wall in ancient Greece. A really creepy looking design and the stone is in front of someone’s house. I wonder how many people pass that by everyday and have never seen it?
17. Went back to Gloucester for the 5th time. Steve had not seen Annisquam Light and I would never refuse a chance to go back to my #1 favorite town.
18. Got a chance to shoot video of the Man at the Wheel at sunset, the photos were awesome too. It would have been perfect except for how cold it was.
19. Damn GPS was good all day until trying to find a gas station. It led us to a Tedeschi which it said had fuel, nope, stupid lying British nanny. I almost would rather it speak in Spanish from now on.
20. Got a nice slice of life experience thanks to toll roads, forgetting to change my GPS settings meant we skipped off of Rt. 1 near the Tobin Bridge and did a lot of back roads at rush hour. The joy of sketchy city streets, perfect end to a great day!
Quote of the Day: “C’mon, give it a nudge, just touch it, it will go over.” Me on video begging the construction guys to knock the chimney over at 27 Annapolis Way before my battery died.
Song of the Day: Poundcake – Van Halen (buy mp3 here
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)Photos of the Day:
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| Front Range Light |
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| Rear Range Light |
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| The house at 27 Annapolis Way being torn down. |
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| The Witches Stone |
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| The Man at the Wheel following the moon. |
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