NEW BEDFORD, MA

Aah, New England!! The only region in the country where the words “COCKSUCKAH!” and “YOU FUCK!” aren’t insults, they’re terms of endearment.

New Englanders may be some of the loudest, rudest, most foul-mouthed people you’ll ever run into! They’re also some of the most genuine, fun loving, and hospitable people you’ll ever meet! Sure, they may talk funny (not like us Texans), pronounce words different than how they’re spelled (shouldn’t it be wor-ches-ter?), boast too much about their sports teams (yeah we get it! Go Pats! Tom Brady! blah, blah, blah), and add hotdogs to everything they cook – but they’re alright.

I’m teasing, of course! They’re better than alright. They are good, hard working people. Blue collar people.

So I’ve been staying with my friends Greg (Swoop) and Liz (shout out!) in Fall River, Massachusetts for the last few weeks. About an hour south of Boston, this is the farthest north I’ve ever been and it’s incredibly beautiful up here! Fall River is settled in between Mt. Hope Bay and the Watuppa ponds, with the Taunton River to the north. There’s also lots of trees and hills around here that provide stunning scenic views in all directions. The air is cool and crisp and fall is right around the corner. In the next few weeks the leaves will begin turning from green to orange and red.

I’ve been pretty busy since I arrived in New England. Swoop and Liz have been THE BEST hosts! In addition to providing me a place to stay, Greg got me work at his job, Pavestone, so I’ve been putting in as many hours there as I can get. Gotta build the travel fund back up! Liz has been a wealth of local knowledge! Giving me tips and information on nearby places I should visit while I’m here. She also cooks! It’s been so nice having home cooked meals again!

They’ve even taken me along on some of their outings! We caught a ballgame at Fenway! Phillies v Red Sox….

The Phillies won that one!

We went to a clam boil (their version of a crawfish boil!), had beers at Tipsy Seagull at Battleship Cove, and just last week had dinner at Merrill’s on the Waterfront, where I got some great shots of the port.

Labor Day weekend I got to see my longtime friends Tony and Becky (another shout out!) and their son, Jake! We had lunch then toured Jacks Abby brewery! It was great seeing them!

I’ve also taken a few solo excursions.

Horseneck beach! spooky!

Cape cod! Beautiful drive!

…and finally, New Bedford, which I explored just yesterday…

Saturday, September 21, 2019. If the name New Bedford sounds familiar, it may be that you recognize it as the setting for Herman Melville’s famous novel. Once the whaling capital of the world, Melville stayed there for about a year (1840-1841) before setting sail with the crew of the Acushnet on a whaling voyage that would inspire him to write his classic book five years later.

New Bedford has a timeless quality to it. As you walk the cobblestone streets of downtown, with its historic buildings and old seafarers homes, you can look downhill to the port and see fishing boats and sailing vessels moored to the docks. It’s easy to imagine yourself as a determined Ishmael, on a cold and foggy morning, headed out to the Pequod to continue his search for the elusive Moby Dick.

THAR SHE BLOWS!!

I started off my day at the Whaling Museum. This is a MUST if you come to New Bedford. Not only does it exhibit numerous whaling artifacts from Massachusetts and around the world, it also educates you on the industry that the entire world relied on for so much during the 19th century (whether you agree with it or not, it was important to commerce at that time). It also gives you the history of New Bedford. Make sure you check out the observation deck when you go!

Across the street from the museum is the Seaman’s Bethel. Originally opened by Quakers as a place of worship meant to quell the debauchery of the rowdy sailors. Melville attended services there while staying in NB

Then I saw some dude out walking his llama….

No biggie.

After the bethel it was time for lunch at DNB Burger. An outstanding burger and a hoppy local brew.

After lunch I walked across the street and to the port. Taking more pics along the way.

I spent a good hour just strolling the docks admiring the different fishing boats. I love being near the water. I definitely miss the beaches of the south. The ocean was so beautiful. But the waters in New England are beautiful too. In a different way. They’re not the clear, light aquamarine color of the Florida Coast. They are a deep, dark blue with rolling white caps. And they look frigid!! Fishing is still a major industry up here. Although more regulated and limited now. I met a lady at work who’s father was a fisherman. That was his livelihood. An admirable profession, if you ask me.

From the port I drove to the St. Anthony of Padua Parish. An ornate Roman-Catholic cathedral located a couple miles north of the port. Breathtaking!

I didn’t go to confession. I’m not sure the priests would be able to handle it.

Finally, on the recommendation of a helpful lady I met at the visitors center, Tara, if I remember correctly (sorry if I got it wrong), I drove to Clark’s Cove. The mouth of the bay that feeds into the ocean.