To a $75,000 House on Gap Head

It was a raw and cold November Sunday afternoon spiced with a drizzle. But the wife and I decided that was hardly reason enough to moor us and our boxer Molly by the fireside. Besides, we wanted to take another look at what could become a good bird sanctuary some day -- Straitsmouth Island. We weren't that ambitious to hike the whole distance so we drove...to Straitsmouth Way.

Shetland Road's entrance is marked by two huge stone posts that at one time must have introduced an estate. Massive oaks had shed foliage to provide a brilliant carpet of leaves for the strollers. An old stone dry wall rubbed elbows with a spanking new dressed-up type of stone wall. Down past Serendippity and the grand new home of Rockport's real estate dealer Alex Marr. We were invited in by Alex's brother George and sister Peggy Lawson. Spacious picture windows overlook the ocean, a short distance away. It's going to be one of the nicest in a mighty nice area.

Then into Straitsmouth Way. Here is another of Rockport's many picturesque lanes well worth a stroll. And it is another way to the sea. Molly had found ample to keep her nose busy up to this point, but the way provided her with all manner of excitement. We were again in a wooded area, whether it contained bears or rabbits, we'll never know but how that four-footed girl carried on! A thrill a second was her reward. We were fearful lest she emerge from the brush proudly toting a skunk to show us. That happened once with our beagle Nipper. He had to go into quarantine for a week. So did we.

Along the way were dog-tooth violets at least semblances of them. Aspen trees added to the road's appeal. As we left the wooded section, the sight of two unusual summer houses greeted us. One has a two-sided slanting roof almost to the ground, making the place resemble a wooden tent. It sports a piazza. Summery looking it was. The other looks like a pillbox on a rock. The location is tremendous and the clusters of geren moss on the rocks gives the neighbors a natural rock garden that needs no care from them.

We had reached our goal, the shores facing Straitsmouth Island. A stiff wind had whipped up a respectable sea. The small island was being lashed. But the gulls didn't seem to care. We had no intention of walking to the island, nor even to getting a boat and rowing there. Looking at it from the shore satisfied us all, even Molly.

Another brief walk took us to the granite shore on which naval architect William Francis Gibbs is having his Gap Head home built. The water department had opened a trench to install deep water to the $75,000 house. Gibbs owns Straitsmouth Island. He bought the island, we understand, to prevent any building on it that would obstruct his view. He bought where he did to assure him of an ocean view on three sides. It's a masterpiece of stone masonry being done by Gloucester's Faulk Bros. It wll be a Cape Ann showplace without any doubt.

We plan to put Straitsmouth Way into our reminder book to make the short but enjoyable walk again. Besides where is a better place to walk the dog than a Rockport lane? They hold mysteries for a four-footer.
J.P.C., Jr.