Dogtown

A few weeks ago we took a family ramble through Dogtown, inspired by Anita Diamont's novel "The Last Days of Dogtown."  Dogtown was a tiny village north of Gloucester, MA, that sheltered prostitutes, supposed witches and outcasts.  Its last inhabitants died in the 1820's.  What remains are some foundation stones and stone walls amidst trees and large stone outcroppings.  In the 1930's Roger Babson (of Babson college) employed unemployed stonemasons to carve inspiring sayings and words in stone at Dogtown.  Here are some of the pictures - maybe you'll be inspired!

I only thought the suggestion that I pose by this rock to be mildly passive aggressive; whereas this caption is full-on passive aggressive!

Always loyal, Elise.

Celeste and Gwyenth are both fit for this rock with their analytic propensities.

Jeff's favorite, since we couldn't find the "Stay Out Of Debt" rock, which is out there somewhere.

Our New Baby

After many weeks of hunting across New England, Celeste, Camille and I found this gem in Ivoryton, CT.  Needless to say, there's a bit more playing in our house.  The old piano is downstairs so that Jeff can have some peace without earphones every once in a while.  Here's a sample of the girls' recital pieces for this spring.  Elise is playing Kabalevsky's Sonatina #1 and Gwyneth is playing the first movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata #1.

Nuestro Escape a Mexico

At the beach near our condo

Pristine beaches south of Tulum

Playa del Carmen -- it's hard to tear these girls from their books!

Seaside ruins of Tulum

Staggering (and hot) city of Chichen Itza

Snorkeling at Laguna Yal-ku -- like a huge tropical aquarium

Delicious food wherever we went



Snorkeling and kayaking in Cenote Manati



View from our balcony --tranquil marina village of yachts and fishing charters



Swam in our hotel pool every day (and have the peeling suntans to prove it)

Adventurous travelers willing to try anything -- even coco frio