Day Two: Massachusetts, Plymouth Rock, a Tea Party, and Old Friend

We woke in Newport to a little rain, and I don't drive well in the rain. I fully admit the rain, lack of a decent radio station (oh how I miss MPR and The Current) and withdrawal from my McDonald´s ice tea left me a little edgy. All within ten minutes of leaving the hotel. Thankfully Paradis set the GPS for a Walmart, so we could get an aux cord and McDonalds so I could get my fix. We cranked up American Idiot, I sipped by tea, and all was well with the world.

We drove into Massachusetts, state #46. The sign was on a bridge, so I´m including one from Google until we can get a better one. Don´t judge me.

We continued to Plymouth, where we stopped to see ... the rock. Annelies refused to stand with us. I think it was because it was raining, and she didn't like her rain jacket. She's 14.

Plymouth Rock

We toured a replica of the Mayflower, which was amazingly small. How over 100 people fit on that thing and didn't kill one another is beyond me. We stopped for some sandwiches at the grocery store, and proceeded onward to Boston.

That styrofoam cooler about kills me

Annelies insisted on visiting the Boston Tea Party Museum. The entire tour was a reenactment, and I admit it was good. We all learned a great deal about the event.

Annelies throwing over the tea

We left downtown Boston and drove to Watertown, where we will be staying with my friend Mary the next three nights. Mary and I went to High School together over 30 years ago, and I haven´t seen her since graduation. We spent the evening talking about old times, catching up on new, and planning for our day tomorrow. It was so nice of Mary to open her house to us, and I feel so fortunate to spend some time with her. I´m going to insist on a photo before we leave.

Tomorrow we will go back into Boston for a tour of Boston University, and walk the Freedom Trail. Weather looks like it will be perfect.

Annelies insists on holding her breath through every tunnel. There are a lot of LONG
tunnels in Boston. Needless to say she didn't make it. 

p.s. Today Scott reminded me we "sported a sexy Jeep Wrangler in Hawaii", and this wasn't our first non-mini-van vehicle. I stand corrected.