Monday, 14 July
Drained by a moon tide, there are spots where even shallow draft boats are in the mud.
Dark clouds to the west suggest NOAA may be right about thunderstorms later today. Together, clouds and forecast discourage heading out of Manchester-by-the-Sea today. Better to take the day to go in and walk about the town.
The “T” commuter train gives Manchester’s 5,000 residents easy access to downtown Boston but there’s plenty to see and do right here. Long and narrow, the harbor is deep–except at the edges–so even the normal nine-foot tidal swing is not a problem for most boats. Usually.
The stately library shares a park-like setting with Town Hall and the Congregational Church.
It takes about 15-minutes by launch or dinghy to get to the town landing at the head of the harbor where the train station’s just across the street, then hardware, grocery, shops and restaurants range to the left. And of course, Dunkin’ Donuts. A block up the hill, just before reaching the center of town, there’s even a shop with a great selection of used books, a requisite stop for any sailor.
Some of Manchester’s most interesting details can only be seen by looking up.
Head east from the town landing and it’s about a half-mile walk to “Singing Beach,” so named for the “music” some say is created by the sound of the granite sand reverberating off the boulders that frame it on three sides. It’s a popular spot in summer, even on a weekday.
“Singing Beach” is only about a half-mile walk from the “T” station.
As recommended by locals, the Beach Cafe serves a tasty breakfast. The lobster roll at Cala’s gets good reviews, as does a dinner special at The Landing that includes steamers, corn-on-the-cob and a 1/4 pound lobster for twenty bucks. Hungry yet?
It seems, whatever you might want, Manchester won’t let you down. Except possibly at low tide.
Steadfast out.
At Sea with Steadfast 
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