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Halloween Costumes – Part II (Salem, MA)

Dates Of Visits: Throughout October, 2017

Location: Salem, MA

With the record breaking crowds this Halloween season there were so many opportunities to photograph some really cool costumes.

I always go to Salem with the same thought.  “Less is more.” I try to focus on the best of the best costumes.  The problem is that so many costumes are great for different reasons.  A simpler, basic costume could be much more interesting and funny than an elaborate costume.  And, even if you were to focus on only the elaborate costumes, well, they are around every corner as well.  So, I d photograph a lot of people.  But, I also think everyone I photograph is “photo worthy!”

This post may have a little more gory costumes than I usually post.  There’s nothing too bloody and I kind of feel weird mentioning it.   But, I also understand some people might not be into that thing.  I have grouped the photos into categories.  So, you can skip the “creepy” group if you’re not into that.  After all, I don’t want anyone to have nightmares later.

Once again, out of all of the costumes that impressed me, I think the couples and friends who dressed up together are some of the best.  It’s great to see people get into the spirit of the season.

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This Nightmare Before Christmas couple posed with their beautiful dog, Bruiser, a 5 year old boxer.

These couples, families and friends did a great job with their costumes.  The funny thing is I have seen some of these people in my previous visits to Salem through the years.  I am pretty sure the “Three Blind Mice” in the bottom row visit Salem on Halloween yearly.  I love that they take so much interest and passion for celebrating Halloween!

This guy is another regular in Salem during my visits here.  he definitely comes up with the coolest costumes.  Spolier alert: his costume for Halloween was just as, if not more, amazing.

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Clowns and other creepy costumes have also been popular this Halloween.

 

 

My favorite costumes, though, are the fun ones.

It’s definitely not an election year.  I only saw one person dressed up as a politician and this person is not even in office anymore.  He also took up smoking.

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Costumes of the witches from the movie Hocus Pocus are a popular costume choice which makes sense since some of the scenes from that movie were filmed in Salem.

 

As Halloween drew to a end, it was only appropriate for Mr and Mrs. Clause to make an appearance since that is all we are going to hear about for the next few months.

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These beautiful dogs are Calvin Ruckus, a 5 year old Australian Cattle dog (blue heeler) is on the left and Bean (or Corbin), a 5 year old Australian Cattle dog (red heeler) is the happy fella on the right.   You can follow them at calvin_n_bean.

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This brave cat Oliver (5 years old) and his friend Hedy Lamarr (named after the Austrian/American actress and inventor), a 5 year old Chihuahua Weimaraner, took to the streets of Salem.  Oliver has similar marking as my cat, Bailey and she probably would have hid in the back of the carriage like Oliver did.

 

I know Halloween is technically over.  But, I’m going to extend the Halloween theme on my blog for a little while longer.  Stay tuned for my Halloween related posts coming soon.  I spent pretty much all day in the city on Halloween and I have lots of Halloween goodness to share with everyone!  I also have a few other extra surprises coming up.

Please check out my Facebook page and consider liking it.  Thank you to everyone reading and a big thank you to everyone who stopped to pose for these photos!


Halloween Costumes – Part I (Salem, MA)

Date Of Visits: Throughout October

Location: Salem, MA

 

What would blog posts about Salem during Halloween be without photos of people in costumes?  I had been holding off on posting my photos of people in their costumes until the end of the month.  So, I have plenty of photos to show and I may take a few more tomorrow.

These are always my favorite posts of the Halloween season.  The creativity and care people put into their costumes is very impressive.  Plus, the cuteness factor was on 100 in the photos of the families in costume.

There are so many people that dress up in some really cool costumes.  So, I will have to break it up into multiple parts.  I will try to post every day this week so I can include them all in my posts this week.

In this first installment, I am going to begin with the performers and people who are regulars in Salem during this time of the year and a few other visitors in costume.

Along Essex St, a pedestrian walkway that is shut off to traffic during the Halloween celebrations, there are a number of people who dress up and pose for photos with visitors (donations are appreciated).  Some of the characters that are represented on Essex St are the Addams Family (Pugsley couldn’t make it this year).  I didn’t notice it until now but it looks like they even got “Thing” in the photo.

 

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Frankenstein also has a rather elaborate display.

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There’s this scary werewolf.  I thought I saw a woman in a red hood here a second ago.  Oh well.

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Spider-Man helped this little girl shoot a web!

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This is what I love so much about Salem this time of the year and the performers.  They have so much personality (even the quiet ones like Mike Myers)

Speaking of Mike…here he is.

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And of course Pennywise.  Written on his tip jar is, “Tips to help find George Appreciated.”  Good to know my money went to something worthwhile.

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There were other famous characters who made special appearances during my visits.

The entire cast of the Nightmare Before Christmas somehow all made it there together.

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There are several other performers who don’t have a name or aren’t emulating a famous character (at least not that I know of).  But they are still pretty scary!

Witch costumes are also very popular in Salem.

Not all of the costumes people wear in Salem are scary of shocking though.  Some are down right cute.  It’s great seeing families get into the spirit of the Halloween season!

There were also lots of couples, or friends (I’m not judging or assuming here) who dressed up for their trip to Salem.  There were so many cute, spooky and fun couples!

Dogs have a great time in Salem too!

Maggie is an 8 month old German, Short Haired Pointer,

Stayed Tuned For Part II and Happy Halloween!


Halloween Decorations (Kittery, ME, Portsmouth, NH & Salem, MA)

Date Of Visits: Throughout October, 2017

Locations: Kittery, ME, Portsmouth, NH & Salem, MA

Over the years, businesses and people have both embraced Halloween as being much more than just a day to pull pranks and dress up in crazy costumes.

Halloween has become a season rather than a day and there may be better place to experience the spirit of the Halloween season than in New England.

Below are just a few of the Halloween decorations I have seen in my travels in New England these past few weeks.

Every year during the Halloween season, the owner of this house on Derby St decorates his or her home.  The decorator also has a place to donate money to the Lion’s Club.

When I stopped by October 1st, there was only a few decorations up.

However, the next time I visited, the following week, there were a lot more decorations up.  This home is another staple of the Halloween season.  Frankly, it would feel weird walking past the home this time of the year without seeing the elaborate display.  The bugs really creep me out!

To see the display from last year, you can click on my blog post from last year.

There was a special visitor in the yard during my visit.  A neighbor was walking her cat in the yard.

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This house on Hawthorne Blvd always has some interesting decorations and nick knacks on it property.  This tree was decorated with a variety of bird feeders.

Many of the homes in Salem get into the Halloween spirit.  These are a few historic homes and private residences that were decorated for Halloween.

Many of the businesses in Salem decorate for the busiest season of the year.

Witch’s Brew Cafe (156 Derby St) decorates their windows each year with different popular horror characters.

Mercy Tavern (148 Derby St) also had some fun artwork on their windows.

Dave Engs Flowers ( 136 1/2 Derby St,) put some spooky statues on his building.

These customers at Rockafella’s (231 Essex St,) must have been waiting a very long time for a table.

Witch Tees ( 172 Essex Street Suite 127) had a very useful mirror.

The Purple Scorpion Body Piercing & Tattoo (140 Derby St) dressed up their shop for the holidays.

I am actually not sure if Fivehands Curiousity Shoppe dressed up their store storefront for the season or if it always looks like this.

So, contrary to some people’s opinion.  I am not a vampire.  The person that looked in the mirror before me, though!

You might expect people and businesses in Salem to decorate their homes and buildings.  But, Salem isn’t the only place people like to decorate.

Of course, it’s hard to pull over some places to take photos of decorations and it’s not usually worth it if you’re in a hurry.

But, I was able to pull over to the side of the ride on a quiet road in Kittery, Maine.

Cause nothing says “Happy Halloween” like creepy dolls that look like zombie children.

These creative “pumpkin people” were on display throughout Portsmouth, NH.I found these particular decorations on State St in Portsmouth.

At least they look very happy.

I also noticed this witch on a telephone pole in Salem, MA.  It’s one of my favorites but I think it’s up all year long.

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This lucky dog, Dolly, got carried around the mall!


Fall Pumpkin Float (Boston, MA)

 

Date Of Visit: October 20, 2017

Location: Frog Pond, Boston Common, Boston, MA

Website: 2017 Fall Pumpkin Float

Highlights: family friendly pumpkin festival, carousel, bouncy house and other activities for children (and adults)

Nothing says Halloween like costumes, candy and floating pumpkins.  Yes, floating pumpkins.

That is what was on display at Frog Pond last weekend as we ushered in the Halloween season.

But, these “floating pumpkins” weren’t floating in the air.  No, these pumpkins were floating on Frog Pond at the Boston Common.

Visitors who wanted to participate in the pumpkin float were asked to bring a hollowed out 8 inch or smaller carved pumpkin.

The carvings and designs on the pumpkins ranged from spooky to funny.

The organizers of the event encouraged visitors to come to the event in costume.  And they were not disappointed.

If you haven’t attended a pumpkin float before (it was my first time as well) and you want participate in the float event, each person drops off their pumpkin at one of the booths located by the pond.  At the booth, one of the volunteers inserts an l.e.d. light bulb.  I think it would have looked cooler with a candle.  But, since it is going into water, well that wouldn’t work out too good.  Then, the pumpkin is put on a piece of wood and pushed into the water so they all coalesce.  Periodically, a worker walked in the water to make sure they all group together.

As the sun set, the lights from the  jack o’ lanterns began to light up Frog Pond.

There was also a carousel, the Frog of Frog Pond, a d.j. from a local radio station, a bouncy house, bubbles, policemen on horses who took photos with visitors and other types of entertainment.

 

The Pumpkin Float, which was held at Pope John Paul Park in the past, was a dog friendly event.  And, some of the dogs came in costume!

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Porter is a 9 year old lion, I mean pit terrier.

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Tiny is a 3 year old Chihuahua.

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Bijo is an 11 year old mixed breed.  Bijo is wearing a boot because one of his nails was injured.

Below is a video of the “bubble man” at Frog Pond.  The kids loved popping the bubbles.

Click here to like my Facebook page so you can see photos and videos I do not post on my blog and be alerted in your Facebook feed when I post new blog posts about New England!  Thank you.


Faint Of Art – Part II (Salem, MA)

Date Of Visit: October 8, 2017

Location: The Bridge at 211, 211 Bridge St, Salem, MA

Hours: Hours may vary

Cost: Free

Parking: There is limited parking available at the location.  There is also metered street parking throughout Salem.

Highlights: art created by local artists

Tips:

  • Exhibit is up until October 29

As if the Faint Of Art art display wasn’t scary enough, the Bridge at 211 isn’t done yet.  While not technically part of the “Faint Of Art” exhibit, the Bridge at 211 also has a collection of other art, both spooky and otherwise, on display in their art display rooms.

Ranging from humorous to downright spooky, you are bound to find something that catches your eye.

As  you enter the rooms with all of the art carefully placed displayed, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the sheer volume and quality of the art around you.  Where to start?  Was the first thought that came to mind.  After collecting my bearings, I noticed this interesting lamp.

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Mad Hatter by Jane Saunders.  Ceramic.

The works of art got stranger and stranger as I walked around the exhibit.

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Hungry by Jack Walsh.  Found objects.

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Old NYC by Kevin Kusiolek.  Oil on canvas.

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Frederique by Dianne McAllister.  Sculpture.

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Taste For Flesh by Greg Moutafis.  Print.

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Electrified by Greg Moutafis.  Print.

Jack The Ripper Rabbit by Diane <cAlister.  Paperclay sculpture.

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Sacred Tools I  by Heather Stewart.  Acrylic on canvas.

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Sacred Tool II by Heather Stewart.  Acrylic on canvas.

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#81 by Jim Motta.  Mixed Media and found objects.

Glass Skull by Jack Walsh.

 

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The Barber’s Revenge by Lisa Folger.  Mixed Media.

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Towers of Trepidation by Maria Sciuto Fontaine.  Assemblage.

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The Bride Of Frankenstein Mummy by Diane McAlister.  Paperclay sculpture.

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Whoa, now, that’s scary!  Prez Dispenser by Brian Best.  Wood and papier mache.

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Edgar Allen Poe by Maria Sciuto Fontaine.  Assemblage.

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Crime Scene by Mary Taddie.  Tile, marble, lettering, enamel, grout.

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Wanting by Susan Schrader.  Ink, acrylic.

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Trick Or Treat by Adrian Rodriguez.  Ink on rag paper.

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Chucky by Kevin Kusiolek.  Oil on panel.

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We Wanna See Too!by Charles Lang.  Acrylic.

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Skull by Kevin Kusiolek.  Oil on panel.

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The Summoning by Charles Lang.  Arcylic.

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Time Out by Brian Best.  Assemblage.

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The Asylum by Timothy Donovan.  Photograph.

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Snake Hat by Linda Mullen.  Plastic bottles, paper, paint.

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Healing Monkeys (King And Queen) by Therese Devoe.  Mixed Media.

Salem Magick Gris Gris Dollsby Rev. Therese M. Devoe.

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Fire Monkeys (King And Queen) by Therese Devoe.  Mixed Media.

During my travels in Salem I saw these two cuties!  Look at those smiles!

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Rocky (on the left) is an 11 year old Akita and Lab mix.  Joey (on the right) is a 2 and a half year old Golden Doodle.

 


Derby Wharf (Salem, MA)

Dates Of Visits: October 1 & 22, 2017

Location: 174 Derby St, Salem, MA

Hours: open daily, sunrise to sunset

Parking: there is some metered street parking available (good luck this time of the year) and two main parking garages on Congress St. and Church St.  Parking this time of the year is $20 for the day, regardless of how long you stay there if you park in most of the garages and lots in Salem during the month of October.  After Halloween it is much more affordable.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: historical wharf, pretty views, great place for dogs and  children to play

Tips:

  • great place to catch sunrises and sunsets if you can plan it
  • don’t forget to look along the side of the trail to the lighthouse for signs with historical info about the wharf
  • don’t forget to visit the cute shops and dining establishments at nearby Pickering Wharf

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Once the site of an active trade port and a thriving market area that included warehouses with goods from around the world, Derby Wharf is just as busy and thriving but not because of its imports and trade.

Built during the 1760’s by Richard Derby, Derby Wharf, the wharf attracts tens of  thousands of visitors each year (if not more), each year to learn about its rich history, get some exercise and, mostly, enjoy the views from the wharf.

The first thing you’ll notice at Derby Wharf, after the marker signalling the Salem Maritime National Historic site, is the  Pedrick Store House.  The Pedrick Store House is a three-story building, constructed around 1770, is a historic rigging and sail loft, which was relocated to the Salem Maritime National Historic Site from Marblehead, MA in 2007.  They don’t allow visitors inside.  At least they didn’t during my visits to the area.

 

 

The ship The Frienship is usually docked next to Pedrick House.  But, now, for some reason, it was anchored a little farther away from the wharf.

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Perhaps the highlight (no pun intended) of the wharf is Derby Wharf Light.

 

 

Built in 1871, Derby Wharf Light was meant to “mark the main channel leading into this anchorage, with the view to its becoming a harbor of refuge which may be safely entered at any time,”  The lighthouse is about twelve feet square and about 20 feet high to the top of the cupola.

Derby Light originally used an oil lamp shining through a Fresnel lens (a lens with a large aperture and short focal length).  The lighthouse is now solar powered and the light flashes red every six seconds.

During my second visit to the lighthouse this month (I always make a trip there whenever I visit Salem), some of the workers were painting the door of the lighthouse and they were kind enough to let me shoot a photo of the inside from the outside of the lighthouse (visitors are not allowed inside).

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Recent archaeological research has shed some light on how the wharf was built.  in 1992, the archaeological dig revealed that Derby Wharf was built by laying timbers on the mud flats at low tide, and then filling between the timber walls with dirt and stones. Later in the 19th century, the wharf was encased with large granite blocks.

The main goods which were imported to Salem, often arriving at Derby Wharf, are indigo, textiles (mainly silk), spices (particularly cinnamon), ceramics and decorative arts and artificial flowers.

The pier at Derby Wharf includes a roughly half mile walk to the lighthouse along a flat, wide dirt trail.

 

 

Along the path to the lighthouse, there are signs and displays with various fun facts about the history of the wharf and Salem.

 

 

Because of its storied past, all of the people who died at sea or on the wharf and the role it played in the slave trade, the Wharf is said to be haunted.

However, Derby Wharf mainly serves as a peaceful place to go for walks, run or ride your bike.  It is also a nice place to sit and look out at the views.

 

 

Derby Wharf is a great place to take the dog and let him and her play.  We have been fortunate to have some really nice weather fecently.  So, there have been dogs everywhere these past few weekends in Salem!

 

 

Tiro is a 5 year old mixed breed dog.  I had a lot of fun photographing him.  He was very playful!

 

 

Cody is a 9 year old Tri-Color Collie.  Look at those colors!

I also saw several dogs while I was walking to and from the wharf.

 

 

Bradley is a 4 and a half year old mixed breed. I was so very impressed with how Bradley and all of the other dogs posed for me.  There are a lot of distractions in Salem, especially this time of the year.  Yet, they all posed wonderfully.

 

 

Luna (on the left) is a 6 year old Sato from Puerto Rico.  I am very glad Sato is here and not caught up in the aftermath of the hurricane.  Grimm (on the right) is a 2 year old American Bulldog.


Howl-O-Ween 2017 (Salem, MA)

 

Date Of Event: October 8, 2017 (usually the second Sunday in October each year)

Location: Derby Square, Salem, MA

Highlights: dogs and other pets dressed in costumes

 

Salem went to the dogs earlier this month with the 2017 Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade.

In the midst of costumed humans, out-of-towners and frazzled merchants, it’s refreshing to see dogs get into the spirit of the season!

The annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade was held earlier this month to let pets and their parents showcase their costumes. In the past, there used to be winners selected.  I stayed until the end and I did not see a vote or any awards presented(hence the name “pet parade” and not “contest”).  I think it is good, though, since they are all winners to me.

So, without further delay, the dogs of Salem…

Maverick, a 5 month old Black Shepherd, was dressed as a cute little pumpkin.

This cute little bumble bee is Louie, a 6 year old Gordon Setter.

Calling Dr. Wolf…Zirka (Ukranian for “Star”) is a Sheltie with German Shepherd and other breeds.  He told me to take two bones and call him in the morning.

Cheers to Raglan, a 7 year old Berne Doodle (Burmese Doodle mix).  Bottom’s Up, Raglan!

Oliver (“Oliversauarus”) is a bit of a celebrity.  You can find his Instagram page here. He is part Great Dane, part Great Pyrenees, part Labrador, American Staffordshire Terrier.  Or, as his mom calls him, a “super mutt.”

Nora, the mummy is a 7 year old chihuahua.

Bismarck, a 10 month old Shepherd, arrested me with his beauty.

Clara The Witch is a 1 year old Morkie.

Freyja the Rabbit is a 7 month old Australian Shepherd.

Shiver my timbers!  Tink The Pirate (a rescue dog) is a 2 year old Pointer/Lab mix.  Kudos to Tink’s mom who made the costume just before the pet parade!

Seamus The Shark is an 11 year old Black Lab.

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Diesel The Lion is a 2 and a half year old French Bulldog.

Lulu, dressed as a caterpillar, is a 1 and a half year old French Bulldog.

Belle is a 10 and a half year old Boxer/Greyhound/Butterfly mix.

Finn (from the show (Adventure Time) is a 1 year old Beagle.

Princess Evy is a 6 month old Newfie.

Keeping with the royalty theme, Prince Cain is a 1 year old Pitt bull.

Sparky, a 2 year old Pomeranian mix made a special delivery at the parade.

Ben the Pumpkin is a 14 year old Yorkie.

Jett (get it…Bennie and the Jetts) is a 4 year old Yorkie.

Murphy the Dinosaur is a 3 year old Beagle.

Blue and Lucy are 9 year old Pomeranians.

Herbert, 6, (in the front of the truck) and Ruby, 14 (In the back of the truck) are Japanese Chins.

Opie is a one and a half year old Mini Daschund.

Lana is a 1 year old Beagle mix.

Thor (on the left is an 11 year old York Terrier.  Oreo, (On the right) is a 13 year old Pekingnese.

Riley (on the left), a 15 year old Poodle, was dressed as Bert.

Simon (on the right) , a 7 year old Poodle mix, was dressed as Ernie.

You can see the heads and shirts of them in the first photo.

Dogs weren’t the only pets who came to the pet parade.

Scout is a 5 month old domesticated bat.  I mean cat.

Bagheera The Bengal looked cool and chill, even if there were dogs all over.  You can find Bagheera’s website here.

And his Instagram account here.

And there was this really big cat!

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As the event wore on, the pets that showed up became more and more unusual.

Meet Strider the Lizard!

Below is a video of the pet parade.

Stay Tuned for more fun in Salem!

Please stop by my Facebook page to see additional photos and videos I didn’t post on my blog!  Thank you!


2017 Zombie Walk (Salem, MA)

 

 

 

 

Date Of Event: October 7, 2017 (usually the first Saturday in October each year)

Location: Collins Cove Park, E. Collins Rd, Salem, MA

Parking: street parking can be found on Collins St. and the surrounding neighborhood

Website: Salem Zombie Walk

Handicapped Friendly: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

The zombies have invaded Salem, MA.  And I don’t just mean the ones engrossed with their phone screens wandering through the streets.

No, these zombies are participants in the annual Salem Zombie Walk.

There were zombies of all ages, attire and degrees of scariness.  It’s never too early to get into the Halloween spirit and these people were definitely in the spirit of the season!

But, my favorite zombies have to be the families and children who have dressed up for the walk.  After all, the families that stalk together stay together.

There’s nothing cuter than “zombie kids!”

The zombies arrived in a variety of different vehicles.  “Witch Taxi.”  How appropriate.  Was her broom broken?

After a quick game of zombie kickball, they all got lined up and began the walk.

Although there weren’t any dogs in the zombie walk (although they are welcome), I did see these cute dogs on the way to the park.

Gatsby is a 1 year and 3 month old Golden Retriever.

Baloo (named after the character in The Jungle Book) is a 5 year old Pomeranian.

These two friends watched the parade from the window of their home.  Perhaps I’ll see you next year…if the zombies don’t get you first!

Below are some videos from the festivities at the zombie walk.


It’s Alive! Part II (Salem, MA)

 

Date Of Visit: October 8, 2017

Location: Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St, Salem, MA

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 – 5:00.  Closed Monday

Cost:

Adults $20, seniors (65 and over) $18, students (with ID) $12, Youth (16 and under) and Salem, Mass. residents (with ID) admitted free*. (*Does not apply to youth in student/tour groups.) For late nights, $12 after 5 pm.

*events and some exhibits may be have a separate fee*

Parking: there are several parking garages in Salem ($20 to park the entire day this time of the year),  The best one to park at for this exhibit is the Museum Place Mall parking garage on Church St as it is directly across from the Essex St entrance of the mall.  You may also find limited street parking if you’re lucky for .75 an hour, 4 hour max.

Dog Friendly: No

Website: Peabody Essex Museum

Highlights: collection of movie posters and memorabilia from vintage sci-fi and horror films, videos and music of Kirk Hammett and Metallica

Tips:

  • The entrance is on Essex St (not Charter St)
  • You can view the impressive Yin Yu display at the museum for an extra $6 a person charge.  It is worth the extra fee (and you will see why soon)
  • This exhibit is running until Nov. 26, 2017

Welcome to the second installment of the It’s Alive! exhibitif you dare.

There’s no better way to get yourself in the Halloween spirit than being in Salem, MA and viewing horror/sci-fi movie memorabilia.  It doesn’t hurt when you have the melodic sounds of Metallica playing in the background.

If you missed Part I you can find it here.

Now that we’ve covered most of the notorious movie villians (Dracula, Frankenstein, et al),  let’s get to view some heroes of these film genres.  Just kidding, here’s more villians!  Below are some famous stories with a different twist.

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In this unusual take on a Shakespeare story, Hamlet (1921) has a more violent twist.

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Belle at la Bete (Beauty And The Beast) (1946).

Cats, especially black cats, play a significant role in horror movies, and not usually in a good way.

From left to right: Tomb Of Ligeia (1965) and Mysteriet Svarta Katten (“The Black Cat) (1941)

These movie posters all have a unhealthy relationship (for instance, Norman certainly loved his mom).

Clockwise from the top left: I Married A Monster From Outer Space (1958), Psycho (1960), The Horror Of Party Beach: The Curse Of The Living Corpse (1964), Island Of Lost Souls (1932), The She-Creature (1956) and The Disembodied (1957)

The following movie posters all seem to deal with the demonic or demented

From left to right: Repulsione (1966), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Exorcist (1973), Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962)

The following movie posters have to deal with sci-fi and alien monsters

Clockwise from left to right: Barbarella (1968), It Conquered The World (1956), the original art work for The Day Of The Triiffids (1963) The Day Of The Triffids (1962), Doctor X (1932)

These movie posters are for Creatures (people from New England, especially Massachusetts and New Hampshire, may remember from the Creature Double Feature movie shows on channel 56 on television) .

From left to right: King Kong (1933), Mothra (1962), Tarantula! (1955) and (of course) Godzilla, King Of The Monsters! (1956)

These zombie movies came out before the current Walking Dead craze began.

Clockwise from the top left:  The Walking Dead (two movie posters from 1936), White Zombie (1932), Zombies: Dawn Of The Dead (1980), Night Of The Living Dead (1968) and  I Walked With A Zombie (1943)

The remainder of the movie posters fell into a “miscellaneous” category.

Clockwise from the top left: The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari (1920), The Beast With 1,000,000 Eyes (1955), The Crawling Eye (1958), Metropolis (1927), The Old Dark House (1932), The Whispering Shadow (1933), The Invisible Ray (1948), King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1977), Murders In The Rue Morgue (1932), Mystery Of The Wax Museum (1933), Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman (1958), I Was A  Teenage Werewolf (1957), Barnum (Freaks) (1932), The The Return Of Chandu (1934) and Notre Dame de Paris (circa 1924)

Now, lest how you think that is all that is on display at the It’s Alive! exhibit, think again.

There are also a number of statues, figures and oh, well, I don’t want to give it all away straight away.

Similar to the movie posters, the prints and artwork of the movies are displayed in a separate section.  Now, these, to me, are the real art of the exhibit.  While the movie posters are impressive and cool, the prints have so much detail and you can see the craftsmanship involved.  I loved them.

Clockwise from the top left: The Mummy by Basil Gogos, 1969, Lon Chaney as Phantom Of The Opera also by Basil Gogos, 1958, Dracula by Basil Gogos, circa 1970,  Vampyr by Erik Aaes, 1932, Dead Of Night by Frank Frazetta, 1964, The Berserker by Frank Frazetta, 1967 and Dracula Meets The Wolfman by Frank Frazetta, 1966

There are also suits and clothing from these vintage movies as well as life-like, real sized statues of movie stars and characters.

The mannequin above is a statue of Bela Lugosi.  The mannequin is wwearing the jacket and vest Bela wore in The White Zombie (1932).  The figure of Bela Lugosi was made of silicone by Mike Hill in 2010.

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What a scary suit!  This prop suit was from the movie Invaders From Mars (1953).  It was made by Norman Koch, Olive Koenitz and Gene Martin of the Western Costum Company.  It is made of plush cotton, zippers, metal, painted papier mache and wool.  It is 7 feet in length.

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This “saucer-man” figure from Invasion Of The Saucer-Men (1957) was made by Monster Effects in 2011.  It is made of paint, metal and fiberglass.  Paul Blaisdell created this pop collar on the suit.

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Mike Hill created this Boris Karloff figure in 2010 out of silicone.  The suit is the same suit Karloff wore in The Black Cat (1934).

Quite a collection, huh?  Well, believe it or not, there’s more!  Please join for the third and final installment of this series coming soon!

Salem was teeming with dogs during my visit (you’ll soon see why).  I saw Bella (on the left), a 1 and a half year old Akita, dressed as Batman and Seger (on the right), a 2 and a half year old Cattle dog mix, dressed as a prisoner after I left the museum.

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Below is a video of the It’s Alive! exhibit courtesy of Derek Millen.  He’s a pretty funny guy!  The video portion of the It’s Alive!  exhibit begins at around the 3:13 mark of the video (I have set up the video to start at the It’s Alive section of the video).


Red Rock Park (Lynn, MA)

Date Of Visit: October 1, 2017

Location: Lynn Shore Dr & Prescott Rd, Lynn, MA ong Lynn Shore Drive (about 20 minutes north of Boston)

Cost: Free

Parking: metered parking along Lynn Shore Drive.  IF you’re unable to find a spot along Lynn Shore, there is usually parking available on one of the side streets in the area.

Trail Size/Difficulty: .5 miles, easy

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Website: Red Rock Park

Highlights: scenic views, easy walking and jogging path, walkway to the rocky water, spacious park

Tips:

  • During the months of July and August there are weekly concerts held along the Red Rock Park area
  • Try visiting during stormy weather to see some active waves

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Fall has a way of sneaking up on you in New England.  So, it’s important to make the best of each and every unseasonably warm day while you can.  And Red Rock Park, just minutes north of Boston, seemed like the perfect place to enjoy the last gasps of our warm weather.

Despite the temptation to stay curled up in my bed on a Saturday morning,  I was able to make it to Red Rock Park just after sunrise.  The “golden hours” (the first 2 hours after sunset and the 2 hours before sunset) sure do make a difference when it comes to photography.  In fact, some photographers won’t even take their camera out outside of those golden hours, at least not for nature photography.

When you see the sun glistening off the rocks, cement and sand during the morning sunrise, you can easily see why the park is called “Red Rock.”  Red Algae which sometimes floats ashore, while giving off a pungent odor, could be the reason for the reddish hue of the rocks.

A walkway leads to the rocks along the beach that offers some nice views of the Boston skyline,  Rock crabs, barnacle, mussels and sea stars inhabit the rocky waters.  If you’re lucky, you may see one of these critters in the tidal pools that form between the rocks.

The walking path, which leads to  is short and easy leads to Lynn Shore, a popular destination for cyclists and joggers.  There are also ramps along the way.

With its easy walking path and spacious park, Red Rock is the perfect place to take your four legged friend.  In fact, while I was there, I saw  some dogs being trained at the park.  The quarter mile marker is part of the Walking and Jogging Project launched to help promote physical activity of the Lynn, Swampscott and Nahant residents.   This 1/4 mile marker is one of the medallion markers along the 3 mile stretch.  Known as the Nahant, Swampscott and Lynn Good Health Partnership, the markers, placed at quarter mile spaces, go from the Tides restaurant (2B Wilson Rd) to the red Rock Bistro (141 Humphrey St).

 

Sampson, a friendly 12 week old Lab mix was enjoying the beautiful fall morning with his mom while I was visiting the park.  He is a rescue from the North Shore Animal League.

Below is a video from the rocks along the water.

Red Rock Park is one of the more popular spots for residents of the area to visit during stormy weather.  Below is a video of one of those stormy days in April, 2011.  It actually gets much worse, flooding the entire Lynn Shore Drive, when we experience a tropical storm or hurricane.  This video is courtesy of Steve Deveau.

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