The 2016 Ipswich Drought

Based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Palmer Drought Severity Index, the three-month period between May 1 and July 31 was the driest for those three months in Massachusetts since 1966 and the ninth driest on record. Due to the shortage of rainfall and continued high water demand, the Ipswich Water Department issued a Drought… Continue reading The 2016 Ipswich Drought

Choate Island and Rufus Choate

Choate Island was originally known as Hog Island, and is the largest island in theย Crane Wildlife Refugeย and is the site of the Choate family homestead, the Proctor Barn, the White Cottage, and the final resting place of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Crane. There are great views from the island summit of the Castle Neck dunes and Plum Island Mount Agamenticus in Maine.

Destination Ipswich: the Crane Estate with ICAM

Crane Beach and Steep Hill in Ipswich

In this episode, we take a trail from Crane beach to the top of Steep Hill for a marvelous view of Plum Island and Ipswich Bay. A path through the woods takes us to the Castle, and we stroll through the formal gardens and the rose garden before descending to Cedar Point trail,where we enjoy the view of Fox Creek on our way to Steep Hill Beach. The beautiful walk at the Crane Estate is made possible by the Trustees of Reservations.