Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  We've had a full day, capped off by fireworks over Boston Harbor.  But first...

Okay, we're even!  Mimi spent a couple of hours Saturday at the genealogy library with me, so I spent a couple of hours today at the Boston Aquarium.  I am completely creeped out by the most "normal" fish, and then throw in some eels, piranhas, and leafy sea dragons (Google this one -- you'll have nightmares!), and I'm sick to my stomach.  At least, thought I, we'll get to see some frolicking penguins and playful seals...  Nope.  The penguins are "on vacation" at an undisclosed location while the aquarium is remodeled, and the sea lions are in an outdoor (hence, 25 degrees) habitat, and not too playful!
The city is very festive preparing for "First Night."  There are ice sculptures and parades and lots of people.  We walked and window-shopped, and even joined in part of the tour of the historic building we're staying in.

We ate dinner at Ruth's Chris (mostly on Mimi's can money!).  So good, and in a beautiful location -- the old City Hall.  Then we walked around town (still in the high 20's, low 30's, but less wind so more bearable) a little before warming up with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin.  Finally, off to the observation deck on the roof, overlooking Boston Harbor for some snacks, a little champs, quite a bit of shivering, and a great fireworks show.

A fabulous start to 2013!  Happy New Year to all.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? J.B. Priestly

It snowed and the wind blew all night last night, so we awoke to a beautiful, white wonderland.  Then we ventured out!  The temperature was in the 20's, with the wind-chill (and believe me, there was a chill wind!) was in the teens.  We walked a few blocks, trying to visit with our old friend from the Wentworth, Abigail Stephens (she's now catering mgr. at the Langham Hotel -- but she was not in).  After a brief reprieve in the hotel, we went back out into the cold.

Strolling through Boston on a snowy morning

 Another few blocks and we retreated happily into the "T".  You've gotta love the mass transit in this city.  We've used it to get all over town (and to get out of the cold!).  Had brunch at the top of the Prudential Building (52nd floor) -- our meal of the day :).  Great meal, and you can't beat the view.

We had considered tickets to the Patriots' Game this afternoon, but decided against it when we saw the weather forecast.  After the start of the game was delayed by 3 hours, and the temperature stayed in the teens (with seats full of snow), we were relieved to have the best seats in the house -- cuddled down in front of the tv in our room!  Go Pats!

On the Road Again... Boston, December 2012

Arrived in Boston yesterday.  Braved the cold (30 degrees) last night to stroll around Quincy Market, do a little shopping, grab a bite to eat, and watch a music/light show at the giant Christmas tree in the square.

We're staying at the Custom House -- beautiful building, great accommodations, perfect location.
Today, we took the T to Boston Commons and walked around town to Newbury Street -- the high-end shopping area.  Stopped into shops to get warm as the weather worked itself up to snow.  We did a little hat shopping :).

Just starting to snow!

Do you like my hat?

I do, I do, I do like your hat!

 Then we went to the New England Genealogical Society Library.  I wish I could have taken a picture of the genealogist who helped (yelled at, pressured, freaked out) us!  Let's just say that Ichabod Crane lives, and he lives in the Genealogy library in Boston!  I'd planned on taking a quick look-see, but Ichabod grilled me about all of the ancestors (WHO WAS HIS WIFE?  WHY DO YOU HAVE ALL THESE SIBLINGS?  YOU WANT A DIRECT LINE!  YOU MUST HAVE A BETTER MEMORY IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS WORK!  WHY DO ALL YOU YOUNG PEOPLE THINK YOU CAN DO THIS ON YOUR LAPTOPS?  YOU NEED PAPER!  DON'T YOU KNOW THAT A REAM OF PAPER IS EASIER TO CARRY THAN A LAPTOP?) and brought out a stack of books to the ceiling for me to look through and copy!  I did my best to take some notes (sans paper!), and when he finally went on a coffee break, we hightailed it out of there.  I did find some interesting information, and hope to go back (more prepared!) later in the week.

We had a great, early, dinner at the Parish Cafe, and are hunkered down in our room watching the snow storm outside.  It's kind of amazing that the entire Boston newscast is about this storm (we counted the weather guy saying the word "snow" 18 times in one segment).  It's just like when in rains in Southern California.  Don't they expect snow in winter in Massachusetts?

Day 24: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.

 Lin Yutang

We did it, we did it, we really, really did it!!

 We completed our final leg and arrived home in the afternoon. Here are the final stats:

24 days

24 states

2 Canadian Provinces

7722.1 miles

Millions of memories

1 happy dog (when we returned!)

We've had many new, varied, exciting experiences, and seen many beautiful places.  This has been the trip of a lifetime (although I'd love to do it again taking a different route).  Still, in the inimitable words of Dorothy:  There's no place like home!

 

 

Day 23: The Last Leg!

You need a village, if only for the pleasure of leaving it.  A village means that you are not alone, knowing that in the people, the trees, the earth, there is something that belongs to you, waiting for you when you are not there.  

~Casare Pavese

New Mexico to Arizona
390 miles

Happy Independence Day!

It's the first time in 19 years that I'm not at the Club organizing relays, pie-eating contests, cannonball contests, and watermelon races (and then staying late to make sure the "happy" revelers aren't throwing kids over the backstroke flags or losing their suits in belly-flop contests!).  This is freedom!

We left New Mexico and headed west and north.  As we got close to Tucson, we could see ominous clouds around and ahead of us.  Eventually, we were driving in the most driving, ridiculous rainstorm for about 1 1/2 hrs.  We saw several bad accidents -- very scary and exhausting. When we finally made it to the hotel, the stories were all about the rain, flooding, and funnel clouds in the area we had just crossed.

We're finishing our trip on a high note.  We stopped at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale -- very nice place & beautiful room (for $60 less a night than the awful motel connected to the water park in Rapid City, SD!).  Went out for a fabulous dinner, and were settling in for a good rest before the final push for home when the fireworks began.  So, here we are, sitting out on our front patio in our jammies, eating our take-out creme brulee, and watching the show from ASU.  Doesn't get any better than this!

Day 22: Oklahoma to New Mexico

A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.

Tim Cahill.

Oklahoma to Texas to New Mexico
588 miles

Got an early start out of Oklahoma for the long drive ahead.
[Oh, I've got to share one more story of our motel clerk in OK.  When we went to get in our room, we realized that most of the rooms on the second floor did not have room numbers.  We went back downstairs to report this to the clerk and she told us, "Oh yeah.  We had a big weddin' here last year and they broke some windows and ripped off screens and took off all the room numbers.  I can go up there and count it off for y'all if you want."  Last year??]

We drove through a little more Oklahoma and a lot more Texas.  Lots of cows, flat land, and dirt-- right out of "Giant."  I expected to see Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor at any moment.  When we crossed into New Mexico, the terrain changed.  Beautiful desert scenes led us to destination #1 of the day:  Roswell and the International UFO Museum! This was decidedly NOT a beautiful scene.  The only plus was that clerk in the gift shop informed us sadly that we had just missed "Alien Fest 2012," and its 15,000 attendees by one day.  Tragic.  As it was, apparently not all of the UFO nerds and conspiracy theorists had left town.  The museum was packed with a very odd assortment of people!

Driving out of Roswell, we went through some mountain passes, dramatically cut canyons, and trees.  On our drive through New Mexico, we saw not only Roswell, but also (purportedly) the beef capital of the world, the largest pistachio nut in the world and the largest chili pepper in the world!

We were thrilled to arrive (in the rain) in Las Cruces, at the Ronga house.  We had a great visit with Michelle, Tony, and the kids, had our first good food in days (El Sombrero, Bob.  Just across the street from Roberto's).  We had their casita to ourselves, and plenty of entertainment from Teah, Emma, and Anthony (who, after beating Mimi soundly at Hungry, Hungry Hippos gave her a very patient lesson in success at the game).  After several long, hot, hungry days on the road, we had a wonderful and relaxing visit!

Day 21: Elvis is in the building!

I'm going to Graceland
Graceland
In Memphis Tennessee
I'm going to Graceland
Poorboys and Pilgrims with families

But I've reason to believe
We will be received
In Graceland
 Paul Simon

545 Miles
Tennessee to Arkansas to Oklahoma

Up early with anticipation and a desire to arrive at our destination before the oppressive heat and the crowds.  Graceland!  We arrived before it opened, which got us in the first tour on the first shuttle bus.  Perfect.  I was really impressed by the place.  It's run like a well-oiled machine -- very organized, and everything presented very respectfully.  The rooms in the mansion are recreated really well, and the awards, costumes,  and accolades are presented tastefully.  Another potentially tacky place that exceeded expectations!

Note Mimi's Sea Bands.  She was ready in case she got "All Shook Up"!

 After Graceland, we just drove, drove, drove.  We arrived in Weatherford, OK (No waving wheat, but a threatening storm ahead.  Mimi was making tornado survival plans!), tired and hungry (common theme?).  We asked the girl at the front desk if there was somewhere nearby with good food.  She saw us looking at a "menu" (mimeographed, black and white sheet of paper), and said, "Luigi's looks real nice on the menu, but don't worry.  It ain't.  It's real affordable."  Unfortunately, after driving through town, Luigi's was closed :( .
On to New Mexico tomorrow.  When we figured out we were taking a more southern route, we realized we might go through New Mexico.  The change of plans is going to take us by Michelle Ronga's.  We're really looking forward to seeing her.

p.s.  We've been largely "off the grid" except for updating the blog when we have Internet access.  It's been pretty easy, except when we get the occasional call (today from both Mimi's mom and my mom) making sure we're still alive, because we haven't been heard from!  I must say though, that I was really happy tonight to get the first "Housewives" fix I've had in more than 3 weeks!!

p.p.s.  We've listened to Carole King's autobiography over the last 2 days.  Mostly interesting and insightful, but it could use some serious editing.  Do we really need an entire chapter about subways?

Day 20: Walking in Memphis

I'm walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel

Marc Cohn

528 miles

Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee (20 states total so far)

Got out of Cincinnati fairly early and on the road to Kentucky.  We drove the scenic byways and saw a lot of beautiful country and farmland (though no bluegrass that I could determine) M: "Look at the pony.  There's a pony.  Cute pony... What's a pony?".  The ride was comfortable despite the fact that this part of the country is entrenched in a major heat wave.  So, every stop was oppressive, and we saw very few people (or animals) as we drove across the countryside.

We arrived in Fancy Farm, Kentucky (population 600), the home of many of Mimi's ancestors.  I said yesterday that we wouldn't have cemetery pictures, but we spotted the big Catholic cemetery on the way into town, and started exploring.  Jackpot!  The majority of the graves in the large cemetery bore the names of her paternal ancestors (Cash, Hayden, Hobbs).  When we get home, we'll try to sort out who's who.  After tromping around the cemetery, we found the picnic grounds where the annual Fancy Farms Picnic is held.  This has been (for 132 years) a picnic, Catholic Church fundraiser, and political rally -- complete with drinking and hecklers!  It's said that, if you want to be elected to office in Kentucky, you'd better attend the (bipartisan) picnic!  Pretty cool (at 105 degrees) little town.

Fancy Farm, KY

Our final destination for the day was Memphis.  We got in after 7:30 (8:30 our time -- we gained an hour today), hot, tired, and starving!  After checking into our room, we decided to walk the mile or so to the famous Beale St.  In the 100-plus-degree heat, at 8:00 in the evening, it was a little wild.  The street was hopping -- loud, hot, noisy, drunk, and stinky!  Way too much heat, noise, and energy to wander around trying to find something to eat, so we hightailed it back to the hotel where I promptly filled the tub with cold water and submerged myself.  For a short time, I thought I might die in Memphis!  Fully recovered and fed, I'm happy again, and looking forward to visiting the King tomorrow!!

Hooray!  First sub $3 gas purchase today.

Day 19: I Love Lucy!

California, Here We Come!

California, Here I Come 

Right back where I started from

Where bowers of flowers, bloom in the spring

Each morning at dawning, birdies sing at everything

A sunkissed miss said, "Don't be late!"

That's why I can hardly wait 

Open up that golden gate
California, Here I Come

674 miles
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio

Do you pop out at parties?  Are you unpoopular?

LONG driving day today.  We headed across New York to my destination of choice: the Lucy-Desi Museum and Playhouse in Jamestown.  Although I think Lucie and Desi Jr. could invest a little $$ to up the class level of the museum, it was fun and interesting.  They had mock sets, old costumes, movie memorabilia, and were airing clips from shows & movies.  The weirdest part was seeing the sets and clothes IN COLOR.  I never pictured the furniture or some costumes in anything but black and white.

Mimi in front of Lucy and Ricky's living room

Then we took the Ohio River Scenic Byway, but because of damage from last night's storms and road construction, lots of it was not so scenic.  It made for some slow going at times, so we decided to plug on to Columbus.  Unfortunately, something must be happening in Columbus (too late and too tired to figure it out right now!), and there weren't any available rooms, so we kept going all the way to Cincinnati (arriving at 10:45)!  Got in with only 5 minutes to spare to order a burger from room service (hadn't eaten since a Subway stop for lunch).  Yum.

When we planned the return trip, we sort of thought we'd be really anxious to get home, and that we'd take the quick, boring route through the middle of the country.  As we drive, we find interesting byways and sights to see, so have altered the plan a little!  Yesterday's detour to Cooperstown is one example, and looking at the map tonight, we've discovered another for Monday (more on that to come!).  Tomorrow we're off to Fancy Farm, Kentucky, so Mimi can dig a little into her roots for a change!  I don't think we'll have gravestone pictures, but we'll see some beautiful country in the Bluegrass State!

Day 18: Homeward Bound!

Oh California I'm coming home
Oh make me feel good rock 'n' roll band
I'm your biggest fan
California I'm coming home
Joni Mitchell

376 miles
3 states today (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York)
16th total states so far!

We've left this half of the trip almost entirely unplanned.  I have the same travel philosophy as my golf philosophy: if every shot (day driving) is closer to the hole (California) than when we started, it's a good day on the course (road).

We had a nice farewell breakfast at the Wentworth with Kelly, and then hit the road.  We know we were going to head across Massachusetts and upstate New York, but had (have) no plans beyond that.  It turned out to be a really interesting travel day.

Once again, the scenery across so much of the country is beautiful.  I didn't expect the gorgeous views through the Berkshires, and so much of New York.  We started off on the Interstate -- nice enough, although the rest stop was pretty scary.  We were going to grab a bite to eat, but when we got there we changed our minds (Mimi described it as being like a food court at the DMV.  Enough said?)
As we drove along, we saw the sign for Cooperstown, and decided to take a detour.  We went to the Baseball Hall of Fame -- fascinating!

These were My Dodgers.  "Oh them D, Oh them D-O"

Driving today was a little crazy.  First, on a scenic byway roadway, a flock of geese ran out in front of my car.  I used some deft maneuvers to try to avoid killing the geese while avoiding being killed by the tailgater behind me!  Success (I think -- I didn't hear a squawk, feel a bump, or find any telltale feathers!).  Then, on the same road, we came over a hill to find an Amish buggy and horse headed right for us.  In 36 years of driving, I've never experienced either!

Day 17: Last Day in NH!

“If you don't like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.”
― Mark Twain

Beautiful day today.  We walked the beaches and trails from New Castle to Odiorne Point.  How have I never discovered these nice, empty beaches before?

Beach stroll with Wentworth in background

Then we went out to Portsmouth Country Club for lunch with Steve and Andi.  Another nice visit (and another lobster roll for M!).

Tree planted at Portsmouth Country Club in memory of my dad, almost 20 years ago.

We spent the afternoon shopping around downtown Portsmouth (and weren't interrupted by a drenching thunderstorm).  The afternoon in Portsmouth was punctuated by the show above us -- the Blue Angels are practicing for the air show at Pease this weekend, so we were treated to some amazing flying feats right over our heads.
We're restocking for the ride home, which begins tomorrow!  We've sketched out a plan for the next day or two, but are kind of playing it by ear from that point forward.  We'll keep you posted as we make decisions.
Dinner at the Wentworth, looking out over the water.  Goodbye Atlantic!
I walked into this sight when we returned to our room:

 Is there any good reason Mimi is lying on the bathroom floor?
a) 2 glasses of wine
b) slip and fall
c) getting warm on the heated tiles
d) narcolepsy

(The answer is ... c.  We ate dinner out on the deck, and came back freezing.  The warmest place in the room is the heated tiles on the floor of the bathroom!  Actually, when I consider the answer choices, the real answer has to be a combination of a & c!).

Day 16: New Hampshire

 I love everything that's old, - old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine.
Oliver Goldsmith

A day of visiting and exploring.
Enjoyed breakfast and chatting with Penny and Bud in Lee, NH.  Sat out on the deck in the woods -- beautiful setting!

Then we embarked on some more searching for roots.  We drove to Alfred, Maine, where I had read many of the Smiths had lived and were buried.  After some investigating and asking around ("I hear there's an old cemetery around here somewhere."  "There's one across the road and across the fields.  If you're going in there, do a tick check when you get out."  Ewww).  We discovered a beautiful spot (okay- that's a matter of opinion.  Mimi was convinced that it was spooky, haunted, and we'd have Lyme disease if we weren't shot first for trespassing) that included the graves of some ancestors including my 5x great-grandfather, Rev. Henry Smith (1752 - 1836), and 5x great grandmother, Susannah Hodsdon (1752-1848).  The original Shaker barn is still on the property across the street, and the church/meeting-house started in 1804 is right up the road. 

After a beautiful drive through some more Maine countryside, we made our way back to a nap and a bath (and a tick-check), and then met Calvin & Kimmee for Happy Hour at Latitudes (the bar/restaurant on the Wentworth marina).  Lots of laughs (and a couple tears) catching up and looking back.

A really nice day that reminds me how rare it is and how fortunate we are to have people with whom we have a really long shared history -- one that extends through the generations, for more than 70 years!

Aunt Cal (Calvin's mom) & Aunt Joanie (Penny's mom)

Scarponis, Butlers, Robbins

Day 15: More New Castle, NH

 But the beauty is in the walking -- we are betrayed by destinations.
  Gwyn Thomas

Another day of relaxation, visiting, and great food.  This morning, we walked all around the island (of New Castle).  Perfect weather for a long walk -- cool and overcast.  The homes here are fabulous, and we took in the view at Great Island Common.  Beautiful.

Then we asked a woman to take a picture of the two of us with the lighthouse in the background:

We took Aunt Betty out to lunch -- finally made it to Ray's.  Mimi's first whole lobster.

After lunch, we headed into town, but our shopping was cut short by a pounding thunderstorm.  So, went back to the room, sat in front of the fireplace, and read and relaxed.  Dinner in the Wentworth dining room.  Unbelievably great meal!

I don't think any day is worth living without thinking about what you're going to eat next at all times.
 Rest in peace,  Nora Ephron

Lobster Trio: Grilled, Fried, and Sauteed Lobster.

As much as we hate to think about leaving, we're starting to plan for the trip home.  Mimi's wish was granted on the way here (the SPAM museum), and I am determined to go to the Lucy Museum on the way back!

By the way, we're feeling very fortunate after reading today's headline in the Montana News Now: "Man Gored by Yellowstone Bison."  Mimi did some serious risk-taking in getting the bison shots in Yellowstone, and at one point was filming the grizzly bear tear apart a carcass when 2 bison lumbered right by her.  Little did we understand the risk!  The article said, "The bison got close enough to the man that he caught him on his horns and through (sic) him some 10-feet in the air according to other witnesses. He was then pinned to the ground." (Who?  The bison or the man?  Apparently grammar and spelling aren't key requirements to write for the Montana News Now!).

Day 14: New Castle, NH

"Dolce Far Niente"  

Laura Petrie, The Dick Van Dyke Show

4076 miles total!
14 states!
2 Canadian provinces!

Today: 10 miles!

A day of rest.  We got settled in to our room for the week, unpacked, and sorted laundry.  Mimi went to the laundromat while I stayed back to upload photos and info to Ancestry.com.  While Mimi was out, we had a tremendous thunder storm, with rain pelting sideways and lightning.  It was much easier to wait it out from our suite at the Wentworth than our tent in the woods!

Another room with a view!

We pulled ourselves together to go to dinner with Kelly and Joe.  Great to see them -- lots of laughs and reminiscing (and ice cream!). 

Making a few plans for the week -- visiting with (pseudo) relatives, walking through downtown Portsmouth, and, especially, planning for the next lobster meal (another lobster roll for dinner tonight!).  Mostly looking forward to some relaxation and down time.

Day 13: Solon, ME to New Castle, New Hampshire

From sea to shining sea!

189 Miles
14th state: New Hampshire

Every book is a quotation; and every house is a quotation out of all forests, and mines, and stone quarries; and every person is a quotation from all his ancestors.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

We packed up our campsite, and dried up and cleaned up as much as possible before loading everything into the car (and said, yet again, "Thank God we didn't drive the Fit!").  Today was a roots-searching day.  We went to 2 Solon cemeteries and found the gravesites of several ancestors (while fighting the biggest swarms of mosquitoes I've ever seen).  Then we traveled up the road to Bingham, and found Manu's parents' graves (a big find -- many gravesites are identified on Ancestry.com, but these were not).  I know it sounds morbid to many, but I feel such a great sense of discovery when we find what we're looking for.
Mom's biggest advice when we left was, "Take pictures.  And not just of headstones!"  Sorry Mom.  I couldn't help it today!

Michael Padham - My great-great grandfather

David & Lillie Roach- my great-grandparents

Jane Padham - My great-great grandmother

David Roach Sr. - My great-great grandfather.  A Civil War Veteran.

After cemetery searching, we got on the road to the final destination.  We were so happy and relieved to arrive in Portsmouth.  We checked into the Wentworth (or, to Sherry, the Merriweather!).  Beautiful day.  Perfect place.   For some reason (I think a welcome back from the catering manager who helped us last summer), we ended up with a suite with a fireplace, hers and hers bathrooms (yes, girls, with heated floor tiles), and another beautiful view.  Feeling so fortunate.
Stopped by to see Aunt Betty -- still going strong at 91!  (For those who don't know Aunt Betty, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTeabL-4Xzw).  After setting up a lunch date for later this week, we went to the River House for dinner.  First lobster roll, and (according to Mimi and many reviewers) the best seafood chowder in the world!!  The trip has been as much about the journey as the destination, but you can't beat the destination!