Boston and Baltimore (2008)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

9/3-7/2008

This is the last trip recorded in my "book."  The rest of our events will be found in the diaries I have kept.

We were enroute to Boston for our Eigth Combat Cargo Group [Squadron] reunion.

9/3/08 Pensacola – Knoxville, Tenn.

We got away at the usual time 8:09, took 9 mile rd to Rt. 29 – Century + Flomaton.  Clear skies + light traffic.  We saw a number of caravans from Ga. Power coming from the Gulf area.  Traffic picked up as headed north, all returning to their homes in La. + Miss.

We stopped at Chick-Fill-A in Prattville + had a delightful lunch – chicken strips + tossed salad.  It was especially clean!

We followed Rt. 65 through Birmingham alternating drivers.  We followed Rt. 59, then 24 to Chattanooga + picked up a lot of traffic there, then Rt. 75 to Knoxville.

It was a little farther than we expected + we were delayed in traffic trying to find the Clarion, a nice 5 story motel with very nice accommodations.

We found a convenient deli just a few blocks away where we had sandwiches + iced tea.  Then we treated our selves to a Baskin-Robbins one scoop cone.

Bert filled the tank so that we could get away early in the a.m.  Gas was 3.57 + it cost $70.00!  Wow!

We watched the Republican Convention for a little while to hear Sarah Palin – what a woman!

9/4/08 Knoxville – Staunton, Va.  511 mi

It was 8:34 when we took off for what seemed to be an easy driving day.  I was driving at Exit 44 when it appeared we had a flat tire.  We pulled off to the shoulder, dialed AAA, and waited for someone to advise us what to do.  A man checked for a spare tire which we discovered wasn’t there so we waited 2 hrs for a wrecker who hauled us to Exit 59 where it was determined we needed 4 new tires, so we waited another hour while they changed tires + we were on our way.

The beautiful scenery in Virginia made up for the inconvenience of the tire problem.  It was heavy truck traffic, so we had to take turns with the driving.

We arrived at the comfortable Comfort Inn in Staunton at 5:30 – not bad considering the delay in tire changing.  The mileage is now 832 + we’re going out to eat, then watch the Republican Convention.

We went to the Waffle House as it’s just across the parking lot – just fair.  Showered + went to bed early.

9/5/08 Staunton, Va. – Danbury, Conn.

We started out today as usual at 8:06 and arrived here at Danbury about 9 hours later.  Gas was $3.47 + we filled the tank - $67.00.

We traveled through 6 states today!  From Staunton we followed 81 through Harrisonburg, Strasburg along the Shenandoah Valley.  Left Va. + followed Rt. 81 into W. Va., across the Potomac into Md. a short distance, still on Rt. 81 into Pa.  Chambersburg, Harrisburg + the Susquehanna River, on past Hazelton, Wilkes-Barre + Scranton – still on Rt. 81.  Then Rt. 84 at Scranton.  At Paxtonia is where we got gas.  At the Pa. Welcome Center I was escorted to the handicap rest room by a polite little man who wanted me to have my “own private room.”  (I must have been limping!)  N.Y. was a welcome sight.  So was Conn.

It was beautiful scenery but I liked the rolling hills + beautiful farms in Va. best of all.

Our accommodations at the Comfort Suite is par excellent + our meal was elegant at the Cortina Cuisine with Middle Eastern flavor – we splurged but it was special.

9/6/08 Danbury – Boston  Milage 1466

Since we had a shorter distance to drive today, we slept a little longer + left at 9:06 after a very delicious breakfast.  I drove most of the way today and the windshield wipers got a busy workout due to the remains of Hurricane Hanna.  Fortunately we made it to a rest area for a dry spell.  We traveled part of the way on the busy Mass. Turnpike.  The rest of the time it was Interstate 84 + 90, I think.

We arrived 5 hours later at the Holiday Inn – Somerville, and just as we were unloading, the Cs arrived.  They flew, then rented a car.  We checked in, unloaded, then drove around bumpy streets trying to find something to eat + settled for a Burger King milkshake – then tried to find our way back to the hotel.  Trying!

We had a bar + light supper in the Hospitality Room where we gathered with 7 other squadron members - 25 in all. Pearl + Chris C were in charge + they reviewed the events for tomorrow.

Retired early.

9/7/08 Boston

This was an interesting sight seeing day.  After a filling breakfast at our Somerville Holiday Inn, we boarded a local bus for a four hour trip of the area including: Cambridge was settled in 1636 + was named Newtown.  Harvard was the first college in the U.S. MIT, Radclif and Wm B Rogers were the other 3 + thus the name IV Ivey League colleges.  We saw Fenway Park, Back Bay, Newberry St. + Copley Square all very prestidious areas.  The beautiful Boston Bay area included the Mary Baker Eddy Christ Science Church.  Charlestown 1st settlement 1634 – Boston Common area.  Quincy Market was our last stop – before boarding the bus we enjoyed out Italian ice cream + people watched.

What a treat to visit with Kyle who drove over from Providence to see us.  We “treated” him to a meal in the hotel.  Poor food but great visit with him + the rest of the squadron in the hospitality room.  The Van Hs came late from N. Jersey + Peg got us all involved in our 15¢ card game.  We all enjoyed that including Kyle.  This was a fun day!

9/8/08 Boston

Another interesting sight seeing day, but very different.

After a nice breakfast, we were picked up by four cabs + driven to the site of the Science Museum where we boarded a “duck” vehicle which was driven by a very colorful driver/narrator who showed us all of the Cambridge area as well as more of Boston.  Then he drove the “duck” into the Charles River.  This type of vehicle was used in WWII and built in Mich.

When we returned to the Holiday Inn, several of us enjoyed a Greek restaurant across the street for a meal of ethnic foods.

Bert helped me with the laundry, then he went to the business meeting where the guys decided the recruit Mel B to host the group in Milwaukee next year.

After cocktails we had a delicious dinner, then the gals congregated for our usual card game – cost 15¢.  (Even Kyle enjoyed it last night!)

I won $2.55 + will have to take it to Milwaukee next year – God willing!

9/9-11/08: Boston – Baltimore

9/9/08 Boston – Mt. Laurel, N.J.

We started the day by singing “Happy Birthday” to Bert.  The waiter brought a cupcake with a lighted candle.

We filled the tank for $16.65 at a Hess Station in the Boston area at $3.53 a gal.

Rain was forecasted + did it ever!  I'll never forget driving miles and miles in pouring rain on the Mass Turnpike.  It let up long enough around noon for us to make a mad dash into a charming family restaurant at Middlebury, Conn.  Delicious.

I drove from there to the Garden State Pkwy via the Tappan Zee Bridge.  Traffic was heavy, especially trucks.  Then came the N.J. Turnpike + I hope I never have to drive it again!  We were happy to get off at Exit 4, and our Comfort Suite is a welcome treat in Mt. Laurel, an upscale community.

Bert went out to replenish the bar.  He sensed we both needed something to relax!  The mileage is now 1831 miles.  We drove 350 miles today but it seemed much farther.

We made hot chocolate + that was all we needed before retiring.  Mt. Laurel is a beautiful area.  Our handicap room is well equipped for anything that ails you!

9/10/08 Mt. Laurel – Baltimore

The mileage is now 1966, so that means we traveled less than 100 miles.  Can’t believe it!

We traveled the N.J. Turnpike from Exit 4 to 295, then 95 and it was sunshine + cool temperatures all the way.  We crossed the Delaware + Chesapeake Rivers into Md. and to Erich’s + Vivian’s house on E Clement following Map Quest.

Since Erich was working, we went over to his restaurant + visited for awhile.  It’s a very high class place + an attraction for celebrities.  After an appetizing lunch at an Italian restaurant, we went over to visit with Vivian + Dylan.  His little friend, Griffith, was there + they were so cute playing together.

We followed 95 to the Comfort Suites where we’re spending two nights.  It’s a really first class place + we’re experiencing TV problems as I write this but a repairman is here trying to give us a better picture.  After 2 innings, the Tampa Bay Rays are ahead of the Red Sox 2-0.  That will never do!  The TV was repaired with a new cable + we’re now in business!  Yeah!

9/11/08 Baltimore

We left the Comfort Suite about 10:30 + drove over to Erich’s + Vivian’s.  Erich had the day off, so he was baby sitting Dylan while Vivian was baby sitting Griffin.  Erich ordered pizza for us + it was delicious.  We went to the park + played with Dylan and his friend + shot a whole roll of film trying to catch them in action – mostly on the slides.

After the park we took Dylan home + Vivian joined us later.  Erich ordered tiramisu for Bert's birthday instead of a cake.  It was wonderful.  Dylan licked the icing from the candles.

We filled the tank at the lowest price we’ve found so far - $3.39 – 17 gal. + a little over $60.00.

I made a reservation for tomorrow night at the Holiday Inn Express in Abingdon, Va.

9/12/08 Baltimore - Abingdon, Va.

This was an easy 400 mile drive once we got out of the heavy Beltway traffic.  We followed Rt. 95 – 295- 66 to Rt. 81 near Strasburg with Bert driving all the way in sunny weather.

We stopped at the Va. Welcome Center + got some literature on Historic Sites, etc. including apples now in season – at Winchester + she gave me an apple which appears to be a fuji.  This was at Manassas.

The scenery today was my very favorite on the whole trip – Va. with its rolling hills are breath taking.

Our room at the Holiday Inn in Abingdon is nicely furnished with a queen size bed hi-speed internet and a few dollars less than the $100+ we’ve been paying.  We stopped at the Wendy’s across the street for a frosty before unpacking.

We had dinner at a nearby Cracker Barrel + our waiter reminded us of Bob Newhart’s employees Darrel + Darrel brothers of Larry – so solicitous!

Good day!  Mileage 2,382

9/13-14/2008: Abingdon – Pensacola

9/13/08 Abingdon – Montgomery

What a delightful little town + excellent accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express.  The breakfast was especially good + friendly waitress + guests made it even better.

We got off about 9 o’clock + arrived at the Comfort Inn at 4:30, or 5:30 ET.  We stopped at the Ala. Welcome Center + the lady there in charge of reservations called the Comfort Inn in Montgomery + got us a nice room with a discount of about $30 or $40.  (I’ll know better after we checkout!), but it was in a poor section of town, not a high rent district.  We slept there anyhow.  We drove around looking for a restaurant + settled for a McDonalds in the area – had a hard time explaining what we wanted.  We drove over to Narrow Lane Rd., our old neighborhood, but couldn’t find our house!

We came back + got caught up on the news.  The Hurricane Ike is awful – the people in Houston + Galveston have really suffered terrible losses.

The mileage was 2857 when we arrived here.  Gas has spiked because of the hurricane.  It was $3.99 gal. + we filled the tank for $74.00.

9/14/08 Montgomery – Pensacola

The mileage today was 2872 when we started at 8:02.  The Comfort Inn was not the greatest, but the price was right – just about half of what we’d been paying - $50.00 + tax.

We went south on 65 to Exit 69, then Rt. 113 through Flomaton, Rt. 29 to Century + Cantonment.  We almost missed 9 Mile Rd!  The mileage on this last trip was 3,027.

After unpacking, I did some laundry, + we went down for dinner about 5:30.  It was good to be served such a lovely meal!

We had a number of phone calls to make and it was amazing how much mail had accumulated.

Several of our friends are in health care, so I went over to visit them for a little while.

We both agreed we’re so fortunate to be able to travel so comfortably in the van.  It’s so much better than flying with all the tales we hear about the airlines.

We’re so grateful for this beautiful country + we hope to be able to make the next reunion wherever it may be!

This was probably one of our last long trips in the van.