Month: November 2022

I had made a reservation for a rental car months earlier, to be picked up in Acton, Mass. Ed drove me out to the location Monday morning.

From the cars offered online, I had selected a Mazda CX-5 SUV, which is the same model as I have at home. I figured I would know how to operate things. The Avis rep in Acton, however, told me, “We haven’t had a Mazda out here for years.” Okay. I was then informed I had two vehicles on the lot from which to select, because  I was returning to Logan Airport and Avis wanted them there. I would not pay extra. One choice was a minivan and the other choice was this.

Of course, I took the Tacoma. I’d never driven a vehicle this big, but I figured it would be fun. And it was. Kinda weird, but it had California plates.

When I was getting gas later in Winchester, the attendant asked, “You didn’t drive that here from California, didya?”

The picture of me and the truck was taken by Nate Kenyon, director of marketing and communications at BC’s Law School, the first BC person I visited that Monday. Later, I met Maureen Raymond outside the Lower Dining Hall, now officially Corcoran Commons. Maureen and I had worked together at the Lynch School and we’re almost “related.” Her daughter and the son of my cousin Kathy are married.

We were joined soon by Taylor Mooney, the liaison at BC for our alumni chapter in San Diego, whom I had only met earlier through Zoom. It didn’t take long for Maureen and Taylor to recognize each other — Maureen had been Taylor’s advisor at the Lynch School.

I later met Mary Ellen Fulton, also a former colleague at the Lynch School, at a bakery in Newton Centre and then headed back to campus to reconnect with Lee Pellegrini, with whom I worked at BC back in the ’70s when we started Boston College Magazine. Lee is still taking great photos for BC.

Jumped in the truck and set out for Plum Island, near the border with New Hampshire, to spend the night at the home of the aforementioned cousin, Kathy. Was a bit tough to get the truck next to her Jeep in the driveway of her small cottage, but did it. Always a joy to catch up with her and her family, and with our ancestors, in photos.

Her location is more coastal than mine and is not at all similar, except maybe for fog. Here’s a view.

At some point, I realized I had not had fried clams yet. The New England way, with “bellies.” And I was in one of the best fried clam regions in the country — the North Shore. On my way back on Tuesday, stopped at the famed “Clam Box” in Ipswich and brought clams back to Winchester for lunch.

Later Tuesday, visited with Tom Burke in West Roxbury and then with Margaret Evans and husband Rob Sternstein in Brookline. (Why didn’t I take any pictures? Isn’t that what phones are for?!)

Wednesday was just prep for my departure later in the afternoon. Smooth transaction returning the rental truck and usual stop at Legal Seafood in the terminal at Logan to pick up some clam chowder.

Long plane ride back to San Diego, especially with the entertainment not working in my row. I had brought a book to read on the trip, but hadn’t started it. I took it out and read the 303-page novel. Still had an hour to go on the flight when I finished. 

We took same route by Salton Sea in reverse this time. The lighting just wasn’t as complimentary as on the way out.

But the setting sun gave nice shadowing to the hills just west of San Diego.

Thankful to be home and not on the road. Miss the family and friends there and happy to join friends and family here.

 

While the Chatham base was very comfortable and relaxing, we also got out to see more of the eastern end of the Cape.

The one excursion in which we all participated was a waterborne tour of Chatham Harbor and Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.

Lots of sea birds.

And seals! Here’s a brief (30 sec) video.

 And boats.

Including big yachts.

Pat, Tom, and I also made an excursion to Provincetown at the northern tip of the eastern portion of the Cape. Enjoyable place, with a certain style.

But first, a stop for oysters on the half shell. (I rushed to consume, and had two before I remembered to take a photo.)

At 252 feet in height, the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown is the tallest all-granite structure in the U.S.

Then out to enjoy the scene.

Had the chance later to catch up with Cape friends, too.

Steve and Kathy dropped me off in “downtown” Chatham for souvenir shopping.

Too soon our idyllic time on the Cape was over. Most of us split up to head home, but I had a few more days in the Boston area. Jackie and Ed were kind enough to bring me to their place in Winchester, northwest of Boston proper. And that’s the next post.

Next: Boston redux and home

The main purpose of the trip East this year was to join classmates and friends for a week in a nice place and just enjoy each other’s company and the place around us.

We (particularly the Downeys) chose Chatham, located at the outside edge of the crook of the Cape Cod “elbow.” Again, for those who could benefit from orientation, here’s an overhead of Chatham. The red oval marks the location of the house in which we were staying.

Pictures, of course, do it more justice.

Some of the house had been the c.1850 homestead of Captain Isaac Loveland. Ken and Debbie Hamberg, Ed Hattauer and Jackie Hewitt, and I each took one of the three rooms in the “stables” (below and just out of the picture above to the right).

This was my “stall.”

Inside of the main house wasn’t too shabby either. Here’s the kitchen.

Seven bedrooms, each with bath, plus a half-bath. 

Here’s a gallery of photos of the interior of the main house.

We also spent a lot of time outside, often for dinner. A gallery of the outside space.

At one point, while some of us were sitting outside, we had visitors.

This was at our last dinner at the house.

That dinner featured my annual martini with Tom. This year, purple!

Among our meals, of course, was lobster, in both whole and roll forms. This was my lobster roll.

We got out and did some things, too. That’s in the next post.

Next: Chatham out and about

The day after the BC game, I joined Pat and Tom Sugrue on their way to Cape Cod. We were all due to gather in Chatham Monday afternoon, but Pat and Tom were to meet friends that Sunday and I was going to visit Susan and Reid Oslin.

After visiting with David Gay and his wife in Bourne, the Sugrues brought me to the Oslins’ home in West Dennis.

For those who could use some orientation, here’s a satellite view of the Cape. West Dennis is just left of Dennis Port on the southern edge.

Before going to the West Dennis Yacht Club that evening, we took a short walk around the area. West Dennis is marked by its interaction with the Atlantic.

The “Dennis fingers,” protrusions of land. were constructed by the developer of this part of the community.

I was glad I was with residents of West Dennis, because I might have gotten confused by some of the street signs in the neighborhood.

The occasion for a visit to the Yacht Club was . . . fireworks! You know, the Labor Day fireworks. ??? Seems fireworks intended for the 4th of July were never expended because of COVID regulations. Here’s a brief video of fireworks, Labor Day-style. (There’s an error in the title. It should read “West Dennis Yacht Club.”)

Next: Chatham Base