Cape Ann Whale Watch - Gloucester, Massachusetts

The Cape Ann Whale watch is a three hour excursion 15 miles off the coast of Gloucester. The trips were narrated by a member of the Ocean Alliance which was founded by the world renowned whale researcher Dr. Roger Payne.  We Learned why whales breach and how they identify each humpback.  They explained the different feeding styles of the humpback whale.  The Ocean Alliance CETA program (Cetacean Education Through Awareness), is the only whale watch company in the Northeast to feature a comprehensive educational program completely integrated into the whale watch.

Throughout the trip, on both the ride out and the ride back in to Gloucester, the on-board educators provided hands-on learning about the whales, their ocean environment, and some of the problems they face.  Whales are dependent on other life in the oceans.  They are an indicator of the overall health of the environment.  We were shown whale baleen and teeth, listened to a CD containing the songs of the humpback whales and viewed plankton which is the basis of all life in the oceans.  

Our Whale Watch Tour Boat

Some boats and light houses on the way to our whale watch

After the Whale watch, we went to Rockport, Maine which was only about four miles away to see the Village and have some lunch.  Here is some interesting information about Rockport.

Rockport Maine

Rockport, or "the River" was settled in 1769 by Robert Thorndike. Goose River Village (as it was known until 1852), was originally part of the Megunticook Plantation, incorporated in 1791 as Camden. Shipbuilding, ice harvesting and the manufacture of lime were important early industries. In 1817, 300 casks of lime were sent to Washington, DC for use building the United States Capitol, which had been damaged by the British during the War of 1812. In 1852, the citizens of Goose River voted to change their village's name to Rockport for its rocky terrain. On February 25, 1891, Rockport officially split from Camden because of a dispute over the cost of constructing a bridge. The town of Rockport was born and from Camden it took half the population, three quarters of the land, and most importantly the profitable lime and ice industries.

This is the street where we ate and shopped

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