Ipswich, MA

On Sunday, we drove to Ispwich to go to Crane Beach on the Crane Estate. The drive out was beautiful - it reminded me of the pretty views you get going to Gay Head on Martha's Vineyard.

There is a small visitors center between the parking lot and the beach, and they had a bulletin board explaining that each spring, all the children from Ipswich are invited to spend the day at the beach for a picnic. There were a few thank you notes from the kids posted - this was my favorite.

Dear Crane family,
Thank you for buying the property. If you didn't, the place might have turned into a pizza place or something...

It was an absolutely perfect day, and the beach was crowded. This was the last weekend before they shift to summer rates, too ($8 vs. $25 to park for the day, eeks!).

We are getting sort of crotchety in our late twenties, and actually had to move away from these hooligans above! They were so noisy. And a group of guys behind them were listening to Taylor Swift on full blast. Not cool, guys. Not cool. I had some serious Laura Ingalls Wilder reading to do.

On our way out, we headed over the estate part of the property. It was so beautiful! I thought it was a beach-y version of the Mount :)

All in all, an absolutely wonderful day. We are thinking about becoming members (so fancy!) so we can go back throughout the summer. I already have plans to hit up this place and this place next time!