A Tale of Two Capes

The week leading up to Labor Day found us boating at home on Cape Ann aboard Kilty's Wake, then returning to Cape Cod for more boating aboard the Nautical Miles. We took my daughter Erin to a familiar Salem haunt, the Rockmore, a pub afloat on a barge in Salem Harbor. Erin's review? "I don't understand why these aren't everywhere."

Kilty's Wake at a familiar tie-up: The Rockmore

Customers enjoy the ambiance as much as the boiled lobster special.

The bar is known for its 24 oz. Coronas. Captains beware.

Winter Island Light, Salem Harbor

On Thursday we returned to our Popponesset hideaway for the long weekend. Kathleen sent me out fishing with the mandate to return with a fish for dinner. This is the kind of pressure I live with every day.

The Popponesset Cottage

The Captain of the Nautical Miles, my brother-in-law, is all business as he scans Vineyard Sound for signs of feeding fish.

This 21" bluefish was the first of many and the only one not released. I filleted this one and used a mayonnaise coating to draw out excess oil. After grilling the fillets, we had them with fresh butter-and-sugar corn and sliced tomatoes.

Sun, sea, sky. The perfect end to summer.