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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Salem Willows Park

We ended up at the Salem Willows Park in Salem, Mass today. The Willows has been a public park since 1858. It has a beach, a public pier and 200 year old Willow trees which I am assuming is where the park gets its name. There is a historic 1866 carousel, kiddie rides, modern video games, vintage pinball machines and classic skeeball. Something for everyone!

There is also a large assortment of food there, including salt water taffy, the famous Willow's chop suey sandwich, pizza, seafood, ice cream and apparently "the best popcorn in America". The Willows also claims to be where America's first ice cream cone was made but after doing some research online I found that there are several places making claim to that title.

Salem Willows PArk sign in Salem, Massachusetts


We made our way down to the dock where there were plenty of people enjoying the beautiful day. Fishermen, couples, families with their kids but the person that caught our attention was this young man catching crabs. It seems he ties chicken legs and fish heads to the collapsible wire basket and lowers it into the water. The crabs go after the meat and when he pulls the basket up, supper! The one he is pointing to is pregnant so she got thrown back in the water.

Crab fishing at Salem Willows Park in Mass


This boy was fascinated with the escaping crab,
although he did squeal quite a bit when it got a little to close.

A boy watching a crab on the pier of Salem Willows Park


I took a few nice pictures of the opposite shoreline from the dock.

View of Beverly shoreline from pier at The Willows


A dock house at Salem Willows Park


And a picture of the gazebo on the hill surrounded by willow trees.

A gazebo surrounded by Willow trees


I don't usually take pictures of people but I have to admit that these pictures are better with the people in them. Anyone who knows me will know just how bizarre that statement is for me.

Couple enjoying a picnic under the Willow tree


Couple enjoying the ocean at Salem Willows Park

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