A Not So Hidden Gem
Sitting along a rocky coastline in Massachusetts is the fishing town of Rockport. This eclectic community is also home to Bearskin Neck — a small peninsula stretching perhaps a half-mile — and is dotted on both sides of the road with art galleries, ice cream shops, and restaurants.
I’ve visited numerous times but not so often that I get tired of it. This past Sunday, I made the hour-long drive east after rousing my usual travel companion from her sleep. I wanted to leave at 4 a.m. to reach Rockport before sunrise. I couldn’t convince myself to get out of bed at 3:30.
I also wanted to find a parking spot. Parking spots at this ocean-side slice of heaven are hard to find later in the morning. A bonus: we arrived around 7:30 and learned parking at the tip of Bearskin Neck was free until 10 a.m.
My daughter and I ventured onto the jetty and walked the distance for the first time. It’s not a challenging trek, but you do need to be careful. It’s not that long, but my daughter had issues with both ankles for a few years. I never had the urge to walk out, but it was time.
It was already getting warmer, so we walked down Bearskin Neck, stopping for photos and window…
