Occasionally, a hearty guest at the Seaward Inn will accompany Nancy, the owner, and Blackberry, her Staffordshire terrier, for an early morning jog through narrow woodland paths for a quick dip in one of Rockport's many granite quarries. Steele Derrick, her favorite, is closed to the public for swimming. It is privately owned by an association of natives with exclusive swimming privileges. However, if you have a friend with a pass, you're in luck.This "pit" as quarries are commonly called, has always had the reputation of being bottomless. It therefore, lends itself to thrill seekers who enjoy jumping off it's huge cliffs... the biggest know as "Barge".

Nancy typically forgoes the jumping, but greatly enjoys the running, swimming and hiking. Perhaps the best quarry for tourists to visit is the Halibut Point State Park. This historic Park has a visitor's center with great walking trails, wildlife and tide pools. It also has a great picnic area where visitors can explore and climb huge boulders.

As the sun began to set, however, the wind shifted; temperature dropped dramatically leaving a cold chill in the air. This is not unusual given that Seaward Inn is directly on the ocean. It is on the cutting edge of the weather.

"Better put on a sweater as it's gotten quite chilly out there" said Suzanne, our housekeeper, as I was leaving work for the day.

As I was getting into my car I saw an elderly couple, guests of  the Inn, struggling with a large blanket. I waited to see what they were up to and make sure they were O.K. They proceeded over to the oceanfront landing across the street. Further struggle with the blanket ensued as they sat on one of our benches wrapping the blanket completely around them, cocoon style, leaving only their faces to the open air. What a picture!

Despite the weather, or perhaps, because of it, they lovingly wanted to savor their time together, enjoying every minute of the ocean 's shifting moods.

MEMORIES!  If I only had a camera with me! It was a beautiful and touching sight.

A month or so went by when, lo and behold, we discovered they WON the contest and had been awarded Best Directing and Best Music Score for its film, “Daughter of Dogtown,” in the 2008 National Film Challenge. I think they should have gotton best set design but what do I know.

The National Film Challenge is a timed filmmaking competition from the creators of the 48 Hour Film Project (48hourfilm.com) in which teams have just one weekend to write, shoot, score, and edit a seven-minute short film. Each team is given a genre for its film, and a character, prop and line dialogue that must appear in the movie. This year 300 teams participated in the competition which took place over the weekend of Oct. 24-27, 2008.

Though this marked the team’s first appearance in the National Film Challenge, Bait & Tackle is no newcomer to the contest format, having participated in ten 48 Hour Film Project festivals and similar competitions. Since 2006, the team led by Bait & Tackle President Chad Carlberg has been recognized with the Audience Award (3), a Best-of-Boston and second overall, Best Cinematography (2), Best Visual Effects, Best Set Design, Best Sound Design, Best Costuming (2), and Best Music Score (2).

For more information about Bait & Tackle Ad Company, visit www.baitandtackle.biz, e-mail chad@baitandtackle.biz, or call at 978-283-3140.

Enjoy the movie and fabulous set here: http://www.filmchallenge.org/awards/daughter-of-dogtown