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.