By Greg Stidsen
Photos by John Rowntree, Andrea Stidsen, Michael Wrigley, Angel Wrigley, and Angela Nannini
Videos by John Rowntree

A SULTRY SUMMER AFTERNOON provided the perfect backdrop for our Ramble and Sail. This year’s edition featured an earlier start time and simplified route that made for an unhurried and relaxing event. Ten Alfas and nineteen adventurers arrived at the Beverly Service Plaza Thursday afternoon for a 2:30PM departure. The planned route followed the sweeping curves and forested landscape of Route 22 through the picturesque towns of Wenham, Hamilton, and Essex, where we turned onto Route 133 and the scenic Essex River causeway. We passed the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and Burnham Ship Works, where the Schooner Ardelle (we would later sail) was constructed. We then jumped onto Route 128 to cross the bridge into Gloucester. At the end of the highway, we swung onto local streets hugging Gloucester Harbor through East Gloucester and then continued to follow the coastline toward Rockport. This scenic road passed many notable attractions: Rocky Neck Art Colony, Bass Rocks (where we stopped for a photo opportunity), Twin Light, Good Harbor Beach, and past Pigeon Cove. We arrived at Folly Cove and the Lobster Pool Restaurant, where we enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner at tables overlooking the ocean.

With our appetites satiated, we jumped back into our Alfas for the short drive along the Annisquam River back into Gloucester to the Maritime Museum, where we would transfer to the Ardelle Schooner for part two of our adventure. Unlike last year’s spectacular thunderstorm and soaking rain, this year the weather was overcast but thankfully dry.

Here we met Captain Harold Burnham and First Mate Ted Burnham, who welcomed us by securing off-street parking at the museum entrance. Soon, the Alfa Biscione flag was hoisted to the top of the Ardelle’s mast and we set out for our sail around Gloucester Harbor, with interesting views of the coastline we had driven earlier in the afternoon. Harold told a few tales and explained how he started his business rebuilding and building historic boats. Harold is a seventh generation Burnham ship builder who has revived the craft and has been recognized with a Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. 

To compensate for the overcast skies, Captain Burnham entertained us with his recitation of the “Wreck of the Hesperus” poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Greg and Andrea Stidsen were enlisted to play the ‘old salt’ and ‘little daughter’ in this dramatic rendition of the famous tale. Alas, there was no ring around the moon this fateful night!

After inspecting the iconic ‘greasy pole’ (a 20-foot-long horizontal telephone pole that tests the balance and tenacity of those foolish enough to take the challenge every year at the St. Peter’s Festival in Gloucester), we proceeded to attack the Hammond Castle by firing the mighty Ardelle Cannon in its general direction. A spectacular ending to a memorable AONE event!

Participants

Norm Belanger with guest Joe Serratore – 1986 Graduate
Paul and Cheryl Leone – 1988 Milano
Tom Ducibella and Angela Nannini – 2018 Giulia Quadrifoglio
John Rowntree – 1987 Spider Veloce
Nick and Robin D’Eri and Guests – 2019 Giulia 
Seth Goldstein – 2017 Giulia 
Greg and Andrea Stidsen – 2017 Giulia Ti Sport
Michael and Angel Wrigley – 1986 Spider
Jonathan Bernstein – 1969 GTV
Doug Sondak – 1969 Spider
Andrew Cox-Stavros – 1980 Spider