So if you’ve been following this blog, you’ll notice that we’ve made a couple of trips to Kansas City in the last twelve months. After our granddaughter was born in June of 2015, we traveled west, along with our daughter and her husband. Janet went back in October of 2015, then both of us flew back in November, and again in January, and then again in June of 2016 for Elizabeth’s first birthday. We’re here once more to see Erik play Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man. One would think this would keep us from our adventures in New England, however I’m finding it gives us energy to go on even more adventures, as we talk to old friends and family who appear to be living vicariously through us.
Our family has been doing musical theater for quite a while and it was a special treat to not only see Erik in the lead, but also Amanda and Elizabeth taking chorus roles in the show as well. It’s hard, as a first time grandparent to not want to see your child’s off-spring as much as possible, and we were rewarded with many memorable moments playing with our beautiful little girl.

If there’s anything I’ve learned living in New England is that everywhere can be a tourist destination with new adventures in your own backyard. Since we left Kansas City, a new street car has opened taking travelers through the downtown area and terminating at Union Station. Janet and I have both worked in downtown Kansas City at one time or another in our lives and used to enjoy going to theater and restaurants. On Friday we decided to check out the streetcar.

I was surprised at how similar the experience was to the subways back home in Boston, only a little slower and with a view.  The streetcar is free so we decided to board at Union Station for the round trip. We stopped in the River Market area to wander around one of our old favorite antique stores, and then again at the Power & Light district to have lunch with my brother, Dave. Dave works halfway up One Kansas City Place, the tallest building in Missouri. He invited us up to his office for some nice views of the city below.

 

Dad has been going to treatments, but things aren’t looking good. A tumor developed behind one of his eyes impairing his vision. I’m glad we’re spending the time and money to visit in what will probably be his last year. We’re on a roll now with five trips to KC under our belts in twelve months.  We’ll probably be back soon.

 

 

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

 

Back in the 90’s while living in Oregon, I watched a movie called “Flowers in the Attic.”  It was a disturbing movie about an heiress who hides her children in the attic of her parents mansion because they did not approve of her marriage to her late husband. By the end of the movie it is revealed that she’s been trying to kill the children in order gain her father’s inheritance. Like I said, pretty disturbing. The house in the movie was a stately mansion with an expansive lawn that made the place look palatial. Little did I know, this house was right here in Massachusetts, only about 20 miles away. Even better, it’s open for tours. As luck would have it, we had a free Saturday to go visit.

The place is actually called Castle Hill on the Crane Estate and was once the summer home of the Richard T. Crane Jr. family. Crane built his fortune in plumbing fixtures and became an industrial giant during the early 1900’s. Janet and I purchased the Visiting Guest tour which allowed us to see the upstairs bedrooms in addition to the free rooms downstairs. On the Visiting Guest tour, the guide acted as the butler who showed you through the house and the rooms you would be staying in.  He stayed in complete character until the end of the tour when he was allowed to acknowledge the existence of  21st century technology and inventions. One of the most interesting sites in the home were the bathrooms. Crane made his fortune selling plumbing fixtures such as sinks and bathtubs. He used the house as a display for his catalog, with no two bathrooms looking the same. Each were equipped with marble covered tubs and sinks and all the latest in shower appliances.  The upstairs rooms in the two wings of the house that jut out the back belonged to Crane’s son and daughter. These suites were huge and had awesome views of the ocean.

After the tour we strolled through the gardens and the lawn. A croquet field now sits where the pool once was. At the pool were also the guest rooms for boys that would visit through the summer. They weren’t allowed to stay in the house with girls, to keep things proper.

I learned in the gift shop that not only was Flowers in the Attic filmed on location at the Crane Estate, but also the Witches of Eastwick.  This house sure does attract a creepy movie clientele.

The house is managed by the Board of Trustees which is a group in Massachusetts that owns and manages properties throughout the state. We bought a membership in hopes that it would open the doors to more adventures.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

God save the queen isn’t really the type of thing you expect to hear on July 4th. But I was browsing through some Boston 4th of July events and noticed that the Queen Mary 2 liner would be docked at the cruise terminal throughout the day so the passengers can view the fireworks. I’ve always loved ships. I think they’re some of the most magnificent machines ever built. I’ve not been on a cruise yet, but Janet and I are planning to go really soon. I’ve watched YouTube videos of this ship passing under the Golden Gate Bridge and meeting up with its predecessor in Long Beach, CA. I decided not to miss the opportunity to see it in person. I convinced Janet to go with me if for no other reason than to get out of the house. She’s a beautiful ship and my expectations were thoroughly met. Maybe someday we’ll take one of her New England color tours in the fall after we retire. It would be nice to see the inside.

The Boston Pops is another love I’ve had for years. I began listening to their recordings when Arthur Fiedler was conductor. I was so thrilled when John Williams took the baton, and Keith Lockhart has done an outstanding job keeping the institution alive and relevant for today’s audiences. I’ve watched the fireworks on TV since I was a kid. This year I decided to see them in person. After doing the research and talking to friends, I ruled out the half-shell idea as you have to arrive early in the morning to get in, and then you have to stay there all day.  Too much time in one place rarely works for me. Some friends suggested that I go to the Cambridge side of the river in front of  MIT. I headed out about 6:00 and drove to the Alewife station on the red line.  Unfortunately the only spots available were on the top floors of the garage. But I felt good to have a spot so I took the train in and began scouting the river bank. Many people were already camped out and most of the railing spots were already claimed. Being by myself allowed me the freedom to move around.  Large television monitors were placed on the greenway between the road lanes from which they broadcast the concert. So it was like watching the TV as a kid, but the fireworks would be live.  Little did I know that the Cambridge side was actually the more scenic side as the city skyline glowed in the backdrop behind the fireworks.  The show was amazing and I stayed to the very end. Not so sure that was the best idea as that was the moment everyone headed to the subway.  This was worse than the Red Sox game last year as we were herded like cattle into the trains. Fortunately the return trip was free.  I made it to the garage to find that I was one of the last to my car. Being on the 6th floor, I had to wait until the bottom 5 cleared out. This put me home at about 1:00 AM, but it was worth it.  Queen Mary 2 and Boston Pops fireworks. This was a great 4th of July!

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

 

Believe it or not, there are actual towns in New England called Sandwich!  I suppose it shouldn’t sound strange as other towns are called Greenwich or Ipswich, but to me Sandwich is two pieces of bread with some sort of edible filling. Sandwich, MA is located at just over the bridge into Cape Cod and is the first town one passes through.  It is also home to Heritage Gardens and Museums. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it, but Janet and I love gardens. The flowers, fragrances, and landscaping are worth a days visit. We decided to skip the drive through Boston and opted for the I-495 route instead. It took a little longer, but it was a nice leisurely drive.

 

The gardens were beautifully integrated into the woods. The trails led us through the manicured gardens in the center, and also wild gardens tucked away into the trees. Along the trail was a building with a real working carousel. Janet couldn’t resist and we had fun riding the horses.

 

The museum contained many antique cars of the twentieth century. All were restored in mint condition and were interesting to view. I thought the layout of the museum was equally fascinating being a round room on two levels. This arrangement really showcased the cars and made it easy to spot the ones we liked.

 

Not only was today a fun experience in a beautiful place, but I also learned that Sandwich isn’t just a lunch menu item.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

 

Even if dad didn’t have cancer, I knew we’d be back to KC for Elizabeth’s first birthday. The first child/grandchild seems to have the distinction of snatching the attention for all the events that will later be anti-climactic for all the rest. Nothing was going to keep Grammy from her granddaughter on her first birthday.  Simple things like playing in the park, and going to to the zoo are made better with the presence of this little one. I always marveled at the change in my father after Erik was born. I never dreamed it would someday happen to me.  It’s different than when your own child is born. Here’s a person you have to get to know, and they have to get to know you.  But they’re also a part of you and you are a part of them.  It’s like parenting, but different. I think if you’re a grandparent you know exactly what I’m talking about.

We took some time on Sunday to visit our friends in the Woods Chapel Gospel Choir. In the year before I left, I directed this group that I’d sung with for three years. They’re a great group of people and fun visit.

It’s good to spend time with dad. He’s been receiving treatment and he’s doing better than when we saw him in January. His spirits are up and he’s planning trips for the fall. Mother is encouraged as well and is constantly by his side.

As I noted before, our trips to Missouri are now filled with blessings and sadness. I suppose that’s the way life is.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

 

While I love to experience new and different things, I find myself revisiting favorite places and experiences. This month has been one of those months that I find myself marveling at things I’ve seen in the past, but something new and fresh always happens to make the experience memorable.

After skipping a year, we took the eighth grade students on another field trip south. This year’s trip was only a one day trip for us to visit the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center Plaza. Again, it was a beautiful day and the views were awesome. I continue to marvel at the fact that this is a field trip and not a vacation!

If I wrote about all the trips to the beach, half my blog would be of beach pictures. This one is different as we once again arrived during the sand sculpture competition. These artists really know how to build a sand castle!!

Finally, sometimes the best things in life are right outside your front door. These swans bring joy to my life every time they swim across the pond. I truly believe I could sit and watch them for hours. The amazing thing to note is they live on the pond right behind our building.

I’m finishing my third year of living in New England. While these posts are repeats of things I’ve experienced before, none of these were common in my previous living spaces. It’s amazing how it continues to feel brand new every time I see the ocean, a swan, or the Statue of Liberty.  I hope I never get tired of it.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

 

When I was a teenager, I never thought about living to 53 much less being married for 30 years. Here it is though, June of 2016 and Janet and I have been married for 30 years. In 2010 we celebrated our 25th a year early by going to London and Paris. Last year, we went to New York and saw two Broadway shows. I don’t always do bigger and better, but this year I wanted to do something different. We live in New England, by the ocean so why not something with a nautical theme. It turns out that there are whale watching tours that depart daily from several ports along the coast. I chose the New England aquarium whale watching experience that leaves from the long pier in Boston. We found a beautiful room at the Park Plaza hotel in Boston and planned for a fabulous weekend.

I can’t begin to describe the experience of seeing these magnificent creatures as they breach the surface of the water to expel their breath and take in new air. It was amazing to say the least. Our boat took us to the tip of the cape, near Provincetown. On our journey we saw five pilot whales and two humpbacks. The pilot whales could easily be mistaken for dolphins due to their small size. But the humpbacks were definitely whales. The guide informed us that they had been circling their dinner under the surface and would arise with their mouths wide open to capture their prey. It happened just as she’d described. Truly this was not only spectacular, but also one of the most spiritual experiences I’ve ever encountered. Seeing these marvelous creatures in their ocean habitat made me marvel at the wonders of the world in which we live. I have to go back some time. Both of us felt this was the perfect way to celebrate thirty years of spending our lives together.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

 

Sometimes I wonder if people that live in the Boston metropolitan area know how wonderful it is to live near a world class city like Boston. For all that matters, sometimes I wonder if people in suburban Kansas City know what it’s like to live near a fantastic city like Kansas City.  Janet and I are foodies. For years we watched the Food Network and really started to know the food scene and celebrity chefs. In Kansas City we found Chef Celina Tio and loved her place. We also tried to frequent other local chefs on the Plaza, and other places in the city. What we found was the suburban chain restaurants just didn’t do it for us any more. I don’t know, maybe we’ve become food snobs. I don’t even really like chain pizza stores any more after experiencing the glut of mom and pop stores here in New England. All that to say that one Sunday we found ourselves wanting something different so we headed down to Boston to see what we could find.

Our search took us to Piatini on Newbury St. Newbury St. is a high end retail district housed in old brownstone apartments in the Back Bay area of Boston. Our table was on the sidewalk and we enjoyed the beautiful day sipping wine and enjoying a nice meal.  It reminded me a lot of the cafes and bistros we saw in Paris. These are the experiences one finds in the city that you don’t get in the suburbs or rural towns. This is exactly why I would rather live in a city than a cul-de-sac. Unfortunately, teachers, even city teachers cannot afford to live downtown in a major city like Boston. Until then, I will continue to live on the outskirts and venture into the city when I get the urge. I will continue to be a food snob and find restaurants that are unique, and possibly out of the way.  It’s not my dream, but it’ll do for now!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

My daughter means the world to me.  I think I’ve written about this before. We moved here because Autumn moved to New Jersey.  I go to see her every chance I get. For her 25th birthday I want to take her to the city and tour the Metropolitan Art Museum. She’s been wanting to see this from the time she moved here. It goes without saying we start our adventure at the Nintendo store. After all, what’s a day without shopping for stuffed Pokemon?? Really?

Our time at the Met was short but wonderful. Art museums are like that. Even though there may be months worth of work to look at, the mind can only absorb a couple of hours worth before needing a break. The thing I love about these museums is the ability to experience art works by the great masters of the craft.

It may have been Autumn’s birthday, but I received the greatest gift spending the day with my two favorite women!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

 

Most of this blog is dedicated to going on adventures as if we were living our lives like a vacation. I guess you could say the move to our apartment was an adventure in kind. Our apartment in Manchester was nice, but it was only ever meant to serve as a transition for our lives here in New England. With all of our traveling, we decided it would be easier for us to move closer to Boston as airfare to many places seems cheaper. Living farther south also meant the commute to work would be shorter and possibly against morning traffic rather than with the congestion.

We found a place in Tewksbury, MA that fit our needs perfectly. Not only was it ideally located but the apartment is beautiful. At 1250 sq. feet it reminded us a lot of our house in Missouri with it’s tall ceilings and arched doorways. Living on the second floor meant some daily exercise as well. Before we moved from Missouri we had a garage sale that filled our three car garage. While this took care of a lot of our possessions, we found we had still not downsized enough. Before moving to Mass., we decided to purge even more, including our living room and dining room furniture. With our new lives, it was time to buy something that reflected the lifestyle we’ve adopted. The complex is on a pond that is home to many wildlife including a family of swans. Our only window to the pond is off a sitting area that Janet has claimed as her own.

The clubhouse is beautiful and includes an exercise room, theater room, and a pool that looks like a hotel resort. We’re excited to make this our new home base for our adventures.

 

Sadly, this will be the last adventure for my beloved pickup truck. I’ve put over 65,000 miles on it since moving to New England. She will be missed, but the dealer said she’s in excellent condition and gave me a decent trade in. I welcome my new Kia Sorento to join her sister Kia Sportage to take over the adventure responsibilities. I hope she serves me well.

 

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

When we were together at Christmas, Erik and I thought how fun it would be to take a day and tour a city together. He’d not been to Chicago, so we agreed that would be a great place to visit. We did something similar in Kansas City before I moved, and we thought this would make a great experience every couple of years. I booked each of us flights to Midway airport and a hotel on Michigan Ave that was close to the L. We arrived mid-evening on a Friday and were surprised to have to walk three or four blocks out of the way to get to our hotel. As it turned out, Bernie Sanders was speaking at the hotel next to ours and all traffic was blocked for the occasion.

We checked in to our hotel and quickly went to sleep knowing the following day would be packed. Poor Erik learned a valuable lesson for the next adventure, bring noise canceling headphones as dad snores. I purchased Go Chicago cards for this adventure. Janet & I had done this a few years ago and found them to be of tremendous value for a day of high energy sightseeing. Many of the attractions on the card didn’t open until 10:00 so we began the day taking a train to Wrigley Field.  Wrigley is as small as Fenway, and even more tucked into the urban landscape. We couldn’t go inside, but some views into the stadium are possible as you walk around.

After making our way back to downtown, we boarded the hop on/hop off bus for a tour of the city. We got off at the Shedd Aquarium and  Museum of Natural History for some quick site seeing, including Sue the T-Rex before heading to Navy Pier to have lunch with a grad school friend of Erik’s. Janet & I had taken the Architectural River cruise when we were here before, and I knew Erik would love it.

So we paid for Evan an extra ticket and they were able to spend more time and see the sites.  I’ve recommended this tour to many who visit Chicago, and find that others who’ve been also say it’s a must see. If you’re reading this blog and are planning to visit Chicago, you really need to make it a point to take that tour!

After the tour and lunch, we boarded the hop on/hop off and concluded the tour where we learned that CVS is a good place to get all your hair products and beauty needs! After the tour we made our way to the Willis/Sears tower for a view from the observation deck. The deck includes three glass rooms that jut out from the building called “The Ledge” and give the visitor a 110 story view straight to the street. When Janet & I visited, my brain wouldn’t let me take a step onto this vertigo inducing platform. This time I had it figured out that I would look up as I went into the chamber, take my picture, then look down as I was exiting the box. It worked and I can honestly say I’ve done the Ledge!

With a full morning and afternoon of sightseeing under our belts, we decided a nap was in order before dinner. Erik had seen the original Uno’s while on the bus and we decided it would be a great place for some Chicago deep-dish pizza.  We did the nap and dinner and were surprised to find we had quite a few hours of time on our hands with nothing planned. I checked the Go-Chicago card and noted that the John Hancock Tower observation deck was open until 11:00. We headed down the Miracle Mile and past the Chicago Water Tower to the fourth tallest building in Chicago. Their observation deck includes a feature called Tilt which has visitors holding to bars as the window and floor tilt forward to give an eerie view straight down to the street. I’d had enough of views to the street for one day and took a pass. The views of the city at night were fantastic. We both felt it was worth the walk and staying up just a little more to see this amazing site.

Our flights both left Midway early the next morning, and I know Amanda was glad to have her husband back again. I loved sharing this experience with my son. We’re extremely close which made the time even better. I love teaching my kids how to live like a tourist!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

 

Last year I discovered the Peter Pan bus as an inexpensive means to travel to NYC for a weekend getaway. When we saw that Wayne Brady was playing in Kinky Boots, we thought this a great opportunity to do something fun for ourselves after a very family oriented past two months. We also learned our lesson about lodgings so I found a reasonably priced Holiday Inn in Manhattan for us to spend the night. We’ve never stayed in Manhattan before so we thought it would round out the adventure nicely. Janet has been wanting to see the 9/11 memorial as well so we booked our bus tickets for an early trip.

The weather was beautiful for walking the streets of New York. Being a weekend in January, the city is absent of much of the tourist crowds so seeing the memorial was not difficult. As with before, I found the experience very emotional bringing me back to that harrowing day. Janet was appreciative to see it, but we both agreed we did not need a return visit. The sun’s reflection off the buildings gave the plaza with the fountains a sparkly glow, and the Occulus train station is finally nearing completion.

 

We especially enjoyed touring St. Paul’s Chapel of Trinity Church Wall Street. The place was used as a staging area for many of the first responders during the crisis and there many pictures and memorials to the brave police, firefighters, and medical personnel who helped during the tragedy.

 

 

After seeing the memorial we took a train to Greenwich Village where I’d booked a reservation in a local restaurant. We got there early so we took a walk around the village. I had to stop and take a picture in front of the Stonewall Inn bar which was the site of the 1969 police riot that began the gay rights movement.  LGBTQ issues are very important to me and this place is a historical landmark for the progress that’s been made.  Eating dinner was an experience in itself. Since this restaurant was nowhere near the tourist areas, it was filled with locals who were eager to talk to us and even wondered if we were interested in real estate. I feel like we’re regulars now, which is somewhere between resident and tourist. I like this feeling and hope to experience more of these local favorites!

What can I say about Kinky Boots other than it raced right up the charts as one of my favorite musicals of all time. The show is based on a movie of the same name and is based loosely on some real events in England. The owner of a failing shoe factory meets a drag queen who demonstrates the need for boots that will support the weight of an adult man. Cyndi Lauper wrote some great songs that stick in your head for days and make you proud to be who want to be instead of letting others tell you what you ought to be.  The big thrill was seeing Wayne Brady, who we’ve loved on Who’s Line is it Anyway for years!  We don’t often wait at the stage door, but since we had a hotel room only a few blocks away, we decided to hang around for an autograph and picture. Our wait paid off and he eagerly greeted his fans.

Our bus wasn’t scheduled to leave till after noon on Sunday.  Since our Holiday Inn was near Macy’s we decided to spend the morning exploring all of it’s seven floors. It’s no wonder they call it the largest department store in the world. This easily consumed the hours until time to leave. We made our way back to the bus station and headed home from just another weekend adventure living in New England like a tourist.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

In the fall of 2015, Dad began looking sickly at family gatherings. He was deeply mysterious about it, and wouldn’t let Mother share anything. Janet and I flew back to Kansas City in November just days before our visit with Autumn in NYC so Dave and I could talk to dad and find out what was the issue. He revealed that he’d been diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer and had been given only 6 months to a year depending on treatment.

I owe a lot to my father, and often find myself channeling him in one way or another. This blog and my love for seeing and experiencing new things are both attributes he encouraged me to do.  Doing trips with dad was always an adventure. There were many cross country trips that included detours to more natural bridges and balancing rocks than I can remember. By the time I graduated from high school I’d already been to 30 states. I believe we are the only family in America to go through Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons in one day.  I’m like my father in that I don’t have to linger in an area to appreciate the site and move on.

As I said, we went in the fall for Thanksgiving. Erik and I wanted a four generation picture.

Our plan is to get back to Missouri as often as possible to see dad in the time he has left. This weekend is MLK holiday and so we’ve flown back to Missouri to spend time with family once again.  My brother has been amazing in all of this. He lives in town so he’s able to help them with daily tasks as needed. I’m so fortunate to have a family that enjoys being together. Dave and I were close growing up, and pick up right where we left off each time we get back together.

 

The silver lining of these trips is our ability to celebrate our new station in life: grandparenthood.  We’re so blessed that Elizabeth has other grandparents that share her life as well! Karla and Janet are both thrilled to be a part of this child’s life.

I know we’ll be back in the summer as well. We will try to make every experience memorable .

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

 

Since I’ve moved here, I keep seeing things and experiencing things that I want to share with my kids. My children were born in Kansas City, but we moved to Oregon shortly after Autumn was born. Even in their early lives we explored many places and had many adventures.  Sometimes our adventures were centered on the nature like renting a cottage on the Oregon coast, rafting a river, seeing a waterfall, or sledding in the mountains. Other times our adventures were in the cities of Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco. In Missouri we continued our adventures including the sites of Kansas City, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Lake of the Ozarks and other trips resembling Chevy Chase’s Vacation family trekking across the country.

My words can’t describe how much I love being with my kids and sharing new experiences. Now that they’re married and have families of their own, shared adventures are much more difficult. We made it happen this year by flying both families in for the week after Christmas. We rented an apartment on the coast in Hampton beach that holds all of us and give us room to move around as our apartment is too small. If you can’t tell, I’m pretty excited. Baby Elizabeth is coming too! This is her first trip and the entire Sheppard clan is excited to see her. In my role as amateur travel agent, I’ve booked everyone to fly in on the same airline arriving so close together they are sharing the same baggage claim!

Our week has been mostly family time. We visited the Sheppard clan and had a large family Christmas at our apartment clubhouse in Manchester. Another day was spent with the Bow/Concord Sheppards just for fun. Elizabeth and Lillee are friendly, but still too young to really play. At the beach house, we’ve played games, taken cold walks on the beach, eaten lobster rolls, and enjoyed each other’s company. I’m so fortunate to be the first adult, other than her parents, that Elizabeth has fallen asleep with.

Jim needed to leave our adventure early so we booked him a flight to leave Tuesday morning. Of the 6 days they spent with us, Tuesday had to be the day to drop six inches of snow.  Amanda, Elizabeth, and Janet stayed at the beach house while Erik, Autumn, Jim, & I  braved the weather to get Jim to the airport. Traffic was certainly wicked that morning, but we got him off.  Erik and Autumn were left to experience Tour Guide Dad! We parked the truck at the Wellington station and took the train to Quincy Market. We ate breakfast at the table we’d eaten clam chowder in 2003 when we’d had a Sheppard family Thanksgiving in New England. From there we took the Old Town Trolley for a tour of Boston. Erik was psyched to go by Fenway Park. The tour finished at the Boston Tea Party museum, and we enjoyed lunch at a North End restaurant. Not too bad for a snowy day.

The rest of the week included more family time and a beautiful drive up the coast to Nubble light in York, Maine with Erik and Amanda to give Elizabeth a perfect nap.  Travel agent Dad lucked out again as Erik & Amanda’s flight had them switch planes in Newark where Autumn was headed.

I really enjoy my solo adventures. I love my adventures with Janet. I find I cherish my adventures with my children. Showing them the world is a dream come true for a tour guide dad!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

Sometimes it seems that every town in New England has its own little story and unique reason to visit. Rockport, MA stands out among these small villages as a place I want to return many times. Situated on the tip of Cape Ann, just north of Gloucester it appears to be a sleepy little fishing town.  However, this is an artists haven and studios abound. The main part of town is lined with galleries, shops, and restaurants and parking is scarce.  We arrived in mid-afternoon and found many people still milling around as many of these shops sell great Christmas gifts. We learned that they also have a wonderful Christmas celebration every December. Some year we need to plan to attend.

The best part of town, though is called Bearskin Neck. This tiny peninsula juts out into the harbor and is filled with dozens of shops and galleries. At the end is a jetty to protect the small fishing boat harbor. My friend Michael, the art teacher, used to sell his works here in Rockport, and I could easily imagine him owning a shop in this enclave of artists.  The sun was setting as we reached the jetty. I don’t often see the sunset on the Atlantic, and was surprised at how much color there was without the sun on the water. I loved today. Rockport instantly won my heart and has now become one of my favorite places in New England.

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

The fall has been busy with school beginning. I took a short getaway trip to Florida to visit some old friends, and Janet and I have enjoyed weekend drives through the lakes region to see the beautiful fall colors.  This Thanksgiving we decided to visit Autumn and Jim and take Autumn to the parade in NYC. We drove down Wednesday night so we could get to the city early. We took a six o’clock train to get into the city by 7:30. Even that was somewhat late if you wanted a good spot along the parade route. We found a great spot along the West side park blocks just north of Columbus Circle.

We couldn’t have asked for a better year to visit. The weather was in the mid to upper 50’s and not a cloud in the sky.  I had marched in the parade in 1980 and remember it being freezing. We were so lucky!  The parade was certainly something to be remembered with the balloons, floats, and performers.  We certainly enjoyed teasing Autumn about seeing her favorite characters, Pikachu and Hello Kitty as balloons.  Getting out of NY after the parade was an experience in itself. The trains are crammed with riders going to their respective Burroughs and towns. The transit authority is well prepared for the event and didn’t charge for trains exiting the city.

Janet and I had arranged for Boston Market thanksgiving dinner which we picked up on the way home. The night was spent watching movies and having a great time.

Friday, Janet and I made our way back into the city for our 3rd annual tour of the department store windows along 5th avenue.  Macy’s celebrated 50 years of a Charlie Brown Christmas and was probably the most memorable.  We finished the weekend watching Allegiance, George Takei’s musical about American Japanese internment camps during WWII.  It certainly wasn’t my favorite musical, but the story was compelling. Lea Salonga and Telly Leung joined George Takei as Broadway stars we could add to our list of live performances.  Here’s to new holiday experiences!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

2016 is a presidential election year. Once every four years, New Hampshire and Iowa become the places to be for presidential politicians.  This is something new for me. Missouri is often considered a fly-over state. Presidential politicians are not often seen stumping in Missouri except for an occasional stop close to the election. For six months leading up to the New Hampshire Primaries, New Hampshire experiences election season. With over a dozen Republicans, and a few Democrats running in this primary there are events almost every week. New Hampshire is really small, maybe two-million people and maybe one-third the size of Iowa. If you don’t see a politician you’re probably hiding inside your home.  My middle school is scheduled to host Jeb Bush later this winter and I saw John Kasich’s bus pass by on the highway the other day.  When I learned that Hillary Clinton would be speaking in Concord I got my name in right away. These are free events, but you need to sign up as the venues aren’t very large. Some of my colleagues talk about years past when these candidates came to coffee and tea gatherings in their homes.  Like all government sponsored activities, security is tight and everything is highly monitored. The event was in a school gym and when I entered I spied one empty seat in the front row that I immediately snagged for myself. Regardless of your preferred candidate, it’s amazing at how much access the people of New Hampshire have to these future leaders of the country. During her talk, she came over and stood so close I could have touched her. Political campaigns are burdensome to watch on television, but New Hampshire gets to see and speak to these people making the experience real and personal. I know 2020 is a ways a way, but I’m certainly going to take more advantage of this unique opportunity in 2019.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

A running joke in our family is how much I do not do the sports thing.  My brother and I could not be more opposite in our tastes. I am a musician and arts lover, he’s an athlete and avid fan of Kansas City and Missouri sports. A few years ago, we were meeting an old friend from our high school days. Dave was coming from a softball game he’d been playing, and I came from a musical I was performing in. Our friend laughed at how little had changed for us in 30 years.

Interestingly, I married a woman who would much rather watch a baseball game than attend one of my choral concerts. While living in Kansas City, she’d become an avowed Royals fan, putting up with fifteen years of losing seasons.  As fate would have it, last year she moved to New England, and the Royals hit a winning streak  making it all the way to the World Series. This year the Royals are winning again, and hope to make it back to finally recapture the World Series trophy.

Being the loving husband I am, I noted that the Royals would be playing the Red Sox at Fenway and got us some tickets off Stubhub.  After all, Fenway is a touristy thing to do. Janet was a Red Sox fan before she was a Royals fan but tonight was all about the Royals. Truth be told, I don’t mind following the Royals, Chiefs, or Mizzou Tigers, I just don’t have the patience to sit and watch them play. Going to a game, though is a very different experience. Whether or not you like sports, visiting stadiums is an awesome event. Fenway is the oldest operating stadium in Major League Baseball, with its Green Monster and concessions that look straight from the 30s or 40s.  Seats are tighter than the ones at Kauffmann in Kansas City, but its still a thrill to see the game in this venue. In Kansas City, my parents were always giving us tickets to games they’d received from their jobs. Many times we would go and experience more fans from the opposing team than Royals fans. I expected that we would stand out in the crowd with our powder blue shirts.  We were surprised, though to see that there was a healthy amount of blue in that sea of red.

The Royals lost, but there’s room in the standings for a loss or two. Part of the experience is to be a part of the crowd heading back to the subway. Like cattle we moved along the corridors to the station and crammed ourselves into the Green line street cars to make it back to our parking lot.  I don’t know if I’ll go back to Fenway for another game, but it’s one more thing I can add to my list of sites to see!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

I love sharing my adventures with friends and family. This summer June, my mother in law, expressed an interest in riding a Boston Duck Boat. Janet & I did the trolley earlier, but we’d never done the ducks. Personally I’ve always thought they looked a little corny, but one thing for sure, they are the touristy thing to do.

Saturday morning we drove up to Concord to pick them up and spend the morning riding the duck! We laughed at Jim as we drove into Boston and got into a little traffic or “wicked traffic” as he called it. Believe me, we know wicked traffic and Saturday morning rarely sees “wicked traffic.”  This was my first time, however taking Storrow Drive from I-93. I learned that all exits of importance are off the left lane. After a scenic detour over the Charles River and into the MIT campus, we managed our way back to the Prudential Building where the Ducks were boarding. I found a street space to park that allowed me two hours of parking, more than enough for our adventure. I found this cool app that allowed me to pay for parking without cash!  These kind of little things make city activities much easier.

Our duck was as corny as I imagined. The driver reminded me of baby boomer lost in the 60s, but he was funny with his memorized jokes and directions for us to quack at other ducks that passed by.  The highlight of the trip was going into the Charles river and putting around.  Volunteers, including Jim and myself, were allowed to steer the duck for a short amount of time.

After leaving the river, our duck made a terrible sound and stopped right in the middle of an intersection. Turned out, the duck’s axle had broken and another was called to retrieve us. Here’s where the parking app came in extremely handy. As my meter expired I was able to put more money on ensuring I would not get a ticket! YEA ME!!

We made it back to the Prudential building after a memorable sightseeing trip through the city.  The wharf is replete with restaurants all boasting fresh seafood. A family favorite is the No Name Restaurant on the fishing pier. Janet remembers when servers threw the silverware on the table, but alas times have changed. We all enjoyed a delicious seafood chowder and rolls. Another nice thing about the No Name is complimentary parking.  If you’ve never been to Boston, this is a real treat!!!

A duck and dinner is all the adventure my in-laws can take at a time, but the day was beautiful and a great time was had by all!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

Last year my mother-in-law gave Janet a news article about Franconia Notch and we went the next day. This week my boss shared that she and her husband had driven west to the Berkshires to see the Van Gogh exhibit at the Clark Gallery in Williamstown, MA. Sooooo, true to form we headed out early Saturday morning and made our way west on a new adventure.

Williamstown is the proud home of Williams College, a most prestigious college in New England. As we arrived we noticed a drama festival being hosted. I could shoot myself for not getting tickets as Audra McDonald was featured in the play presented that day. However, our focus was the Van Gogh exhibit at the Clark Art Museum.  As we neared the museum, cars were parked along the street for nearly half a mile in each direction. After ten minutes of search we finally found a spot a few blocks from the museum

I don’t know that I’m a huge Van Gogh fan, as much as I am a fan of seeing art works painted by celebrated masters. The featured paintings were landscapes he painted throughout his career. The exhibit was structured as a timeline of the artists growth and featured pieces not generally known to the public.  As usual, photography was prohibited in the exhibit, so our only photo was our selfie at the entrance.

We thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit, and took some time to see the rest of the museum. Afterwards, we ventured downtown to explore the shops and restaurants. We found a great place for lunch and strolled the main street with the rest of the visitors.

Not only was this a trip to the Berkshires, but also trip down memory lane for Janet. She grew up in upstate New York, but traveled back to New England each summer for a vacation getaway to Camp Pineshore for a month’s vacation. Each year they traveled Route 2, the Mowhawk trail to their destination. Today, Janet relived her childhood on that famous highway pointing out the twists and turns, and tourist stops along the way. Our trip culminated about 10 miles from home at a family favorite, Kimball Farms. When she was little, Kimball Farms was a little ice cream stand along the side of the road. In 2015, Kimball Farms is a destination with over 15 windows for ordering, miniature golf, pony rides, and other attractions.

After years of sharing my childhood memories in Kansas City, it is so nice to be able to share in some of Janet’s stories. Van Gogh & ice cream made for a perfect day!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller