Out of the Country

Boston, Massachusetts

We are now on our way out of the US, and, according to the kids, the trip has officially started.  They were musing that they’ve been out of the country once by bike (Canada, last summer) and once by cruise ship (British Virgin Islands in February), but not yet by plane.  My fingers are crossed everything works out.  I’m sure we’ll have our ups and downs; I just hope more of the former and less of the latter.

Checking in at Boston

Here we go!

The last couple days were spent at Geraldine and Jed’s.  Having spent time with them over the years (at their home in Milton, camping in Colorado, on a Caribbean cruise), though years ago, we felt right at home.  It was fun to get reacquainted with their two boys, David and Cole, plus get to know their adorable, two-year-old, foster child, GiGi. 

Today, our last day in Boston, we headed into downtown to visit the USS Constitution.  The 219-year-old wooden warship was commissioned by George Washington in 1797.  All the US ships used in the Revolutionary War had been sold afterward to pay off the country’s debt.  However, without any naval forces at all, US trade ships were under siege from pirates.  The Constitution and five other ships built during the same period changed all that. Then, during the war of 1812, the Constitution really proved its worth, unexpectedly winning major naval victories against the British and setting the stage for the strong US naval force of today.

Yesterday was a lazy prep day for us.  David and Cole were “sick” from school, so we were all together (except for Jed, who had to work).  We had a slow start, eventually making our way to a nearby favorite breakfast spot, Newcomb Farms.  

The rest of the day was dedicated to running errands: REI for last minute items – long sleeve pullover shirt for me and Dex, Thermarest patch kit, Croakies, new Swiss Army Knife (to replace the one I accidentally had in my carry on when leaving San Jose) – StrideRite for new shoes for Kylie, Schwab to submit a power of attorney form, and FedEx to ship home the small backpacks and extra clothes we’d been using for the last week and a half.  I think we're ready.  Here goes nothing.