Jouney's End!

The time has come for me to make the journey back home. No words, no pictures, no memories will ever suffice or match the experiences that I have had this year and for that I am truly blessed. To leave Boston and travel 24 hours back to Kansas City, I elected a friend, Lindsay. Flew her up to Boston on Sunday night about midnight was her arrival and we had a full day in Boston on Monday. In true form, I had schedule a few events of interest for the day to get Lindsay the full experience of Boston's greatness. We got up fairly early on Monday morning in time to grab some coffee of course and partake as tourists in the Freedom Trail guided tour. Starting in the Boston Commons, heading through the graveyard, around churches and ending at Feneuil Hall. Very interesting tour of history and important persons in our history of making this great nation. Plus our tour guide was not bad to look at for two hours so that was a bonus! After our tour we had some time to grab a bite to eat at the oldest tavern in America, Bell in Hand and go to my favorite shopping spot, H&M for a few clothing items.....souvenirs of course!

After our shopping spree we walked the streets of Boston and met my buddy Rachel back at the apartment. We got gussied up and went to the North End for some great Italian eats and conversation. On the horizon, the Boston Harbor horizon to be exact, was the sun setting and we had a very fun sunset harbor cruise to catch. We boarded the huge boat and headed out to sea at sunset. The tour is guided with historical and architectural references in the harbor of Boston. It was a little chillier than we had prepared for but we survived the 90 minute cruise. To truly adapt Lindsay to Boston, we headed promptly to Mike's Pastry's after departing the boat. We each picked out one favorite pastry and headed to the Corner Bar to eat and have a beverage. The time had come to walk my buddy Rachel back to the train station and doom was in the air. I have made such a connection with my new friend that tears were held back as the temporary goodbyes were said. Lindsay and I headed back to the apartment to complete the packing process already in progress.

Tuesday morning arrives before either one of us wanted it too and we quickly started the packing process. Lindsay was the best helper yet I think, or maybe she just wanted to get out of there quickly. I pulled around the car and donned the top carrier as she loaded the bellhop cart three times and delivered my items right to my truck for me to pack them, the best I think I have packed them yet. Or maybe it was because I had mailed 2 boxes of clothes home anticipating a tight fit. I think it was record speed of departure as I handed the concierge my keys we headed North prior to heading West, because this is the only way I know how to go or want to go at this point. I took Lindsay up to Cape Ann, MA to the ocean for some mild hiking, site seeing and early lunch. Believe it or not, I had my first lobster roll at lunch and it was great! I definately should have consumed more prior to leaving, or maybe I should just go back soon and have some more! As I usually do, I had planned our travels home around key points of interest but not necessarily the most time efficient.

From Massachusetts we were headed to the only coast line in Pennsylvania, Erie. Lake Erie touches PA in only one spot and that is the northern tip of the city of Erie, PA. We drove 10hours from MA, through NY and into PA through horrible rain the final 2 hours to land at our less than average hotel spot in Erie. We drug ourselves out of the car and into the hotel and then to the Sand Bar for a beverage to unwind and continue our endless conversing. Early night after traveling such distance and impending adventures.

After the longest hunt for coffee in world's history, we went to Presque Isle to site see. This peninsula darts out into lake Erie and is maintained as a park with marked paths, boat tours, swimming beaches, and 4 lighthouses. I had brought a map and thought with Lindsay's exercise regimen we could hike around the peninsula for a few hours prior to our descend into Indiana, but we got a little out of our league. As we parked at the first lighthouse a park ranger stopped us and gave us a map and a briefing of the trails to take. He also added at the end that our best bet would be to stay in the car and just drive around the thing, but we were desperate for exercise and adventure. We headed straight through the middle of Presque Isle on a trail that appeared to have no end with minimal viewing of anything worth while. At any moment it looked like rain and outside of the forest was an intense wind preventing any beach walking that we had planned. When we discovered the end of the trail simply led to the road we were disappointed but not defeated. We continued around the tip of the peninsula until realizing that we would be walking for far more hours than we could afford, we then took "Dead pond trail" back across the isle towards the car. The sign at the entrance of the trail clearly labeled it as a "tick area' with strict instruction of covering your body and inspecting for disease, but this did not stop our journey. We pulled up our hoods and started back. The walk would have been quite pleasant if it wouldn't have been for the long stretches of thick sand that made it nearly impossible to walk in. We did find some form of human and dog life along the trail which was encouraging but yet again, no pond, lighthouse, lake, ocean or anything that great to observe along the way. As we broke out from the path back onto the road about 5blocks away from the car, sweat poured down our backs as the wind off the lake hit us like a wall. Managing to stand on the sand by the lake for a few moments to cool down, we collected out bodies to get back to the truck! Turns out that the park ranger was correct as we complete the tour of the isle from the truck!!!

From Pennsylvania, we headed south to Indiana. I had reserved a room in downtown Indianapolis and it was much nicer than I had planned. We arrived after about 7hours of driving in time for a quick change, drinks, dinner and much needed entertainment. When driving for several days it is best to plan for an adequate night out to "stretch your legs". We started the evening at a place called "rock bottom" which seemed very appropriate after the past few days and then continued our trek around the city. Stopping at an Irish pub, Blues bar and then dancing until about 3am concluded a very fun evening in Indiana!! The morning came a little too soon after going to bed around 4am, thank goodness for Starbucks in the hotel lobby! They don't make espresso drinks large enough for sure! One problem that started the morning was reconstructing the top carrier that we had to disassemble prior to getting into the parking garage! This is not a fun task on little sleep and little patience at this point! After a rough start we continued our descend through Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and then Kansas. Now we had not planned on going to Kansas being that Lindsay lives on the Missouri side of Kansas City, however about 1 hour before entering the city I received a phone call from one of my renters. Apparently there had been a sound of "water running for about a week or so". No one was home to investigate the issue, so after 3 days of long driving we had to go tend to my home. Many house later discovering that I had a water main break at my home that I didn't even live in yet at the moment! Welcome home and to reality!!

As I have returned home prior to my renters vacating the home, I have stayed with Nina for 5 days and then Lindsay for 2-3weeks to get the home ready for my move back in. There has been a water main break, 2 gas leaks, a dead weed eater, floors that needed to be redone, a lawn in disarray and now I ended up with my broken ankle status post a volleyball accident. Needless to say, this has not been an exciting move home for me and as life would have it, my life has fallen apart around me upon my return. I will pick up the pieces and figure out what life is for me as a stationary person, landlocked, and broken at this point :( Good luck to me!

Hope you all had as much fun reading this blog as I did constructing it. It has certainly been a year of lifetime adventures that I pray to repeat as often as possible. Not sure if Kansas can keep me!? Thanks for following along and supporting me, hope I'm not too boring for ya now:)

Tour guide hat again

At the beginning of my adventures 11 months ago I put out an open invitation for anyone to come and visit me wherever my travels would take me. If I had a friend that was traveling and staying in some pretty great locations, you can bet your butt that I would visit them and take advantage of the free housing! Much to my pleasant surprise, Jen from KC scheduled her trip to Boston. She arrived on Thursday around noon and managed to make her way from the airport, taking the blue line to Bowdoin stop, walk 2 blocks to my apartment and let herself in! I was at work all day and had a lunch meeting so I couldn't get away to meet her for anything that day. Jen then found her way around Boston, toured the US Constitution, took a ferry to the long wharf and made her way through Quincy Market area. She is a great self-tourer thank goodness! I met her after work at the Belle in Hand, which is the oldest tavern in America. We shared an interesting appetizer of shrimp wrapped in potato strings and lightly fried, paired with a nice beer. From there we took off to the harbor and walked the harbor walk pathway around to a restaurant with outdoor seating only, the Fresh Catch. I enjoyed a grilled swordfish over pasta and Jen had a broiled Haddock and salad. Very delicious! We completed the harbor walk and then took a cab home to sit on my patio and enjoy the beloved view.

Friday morning I had the day off because I had worked the Sunday prior anticipating Jen's arrival. As normal as brushing my teeth everyday, we took off for a day in Maine, after getting some coffee of course! We went up to Cape Elizabeth, my favorite head lamp in So. Portland, ME for rock climbing and picnicking as usual. The water was much calmer than when I had been there most recently with mom which made it a bit less climactic but still absolutely breathtaking. From Portland we headed down to Kennebunk, meeting Rachel and her friend Travis that drove up after work from Boston to be in Maine for the first time ever. We spent many hours lounging on the beach, even venturing into the cold water only up to our waist. After our fun in the sun we went back to Bartley's to enjoy some Maine cuisine. We had an array of food from calamari, tomato and mozzarella salad, Caesar salad, baked stuffed lobster and a baked haddock and scallop dish. Travis took the top prize though with his 3.5lb baked stuffed lobster finished by some blueberry pie! I have never seen a lobster that size in my whole life and Rachel had never purchased an $80 lobster before either!! After dinner we went our separate ways, Rachel and Travis heading to the Kittery outlet mall, Jen and I headed down route 1A along the shoreline at sunset to get our last glimpses of Maine. This would end up being my last trip into Maine for this year I'm afraid. Can't lie, I was a little choked up about it! :(

Saturday morning Jen and I headed out for some Boston adventures. We took the orange line out to Jamaica Plain to go to the Samuel Adams brewery and then we took the free trolley to Doyle bar and pub where it is said the first of Sam Adam's beer was served. It was a fun trolley ride and the pub was more like a museum which made the experience really neat. Then a walk around the suburb to have lunch at an Indian restaurant. Jen's first experience eating Indian food and thank goodness it was a good one! After a few beverages and a full stomach, the ride back into Boston was pretty quiet on our part, leading to a 3 hour nap at my apartment! After we awoke, we went walking around Boston, down Beacon street and along the Charles river. Ended the evening sitting along Cambridge street outside at Kinsdale pub sharing a beautiful evening and a great steak tip salad! Sunday was a rainy day, but we went according to plan no matter the weather. Rachel met us with coffee outside the government center T stop, where we picked her up to head to Cape Ann, MA. Rachel had never been and obviously Jen had not either, so it was fun for me to tour them around Gloucester/Rockport area. We tried to do the usual I always take people too including but not limited to; Footpath to the Atlantic, Rockport pier, Gloucester seaport walk, and lunch at Causeways restaurant. Rachel and I had some pretty fantastic lobster pie and Jen did not enjoy her coconut rum crusted haddock:( After a long day of traveling and adventuring we returned to Boston and headed back to the apartment for another nap. We were supposed to go on a guided freedom trail walking tour, however the rain stopped that trip for sure. We opted on movies and burritos, chillaxing in my apartment with the cool breeze flowing through my apartment. We were getting really ready for Fall!

Monday, I had to work again so Jen was left to her own vices. She had planned to take the trolley tour around Boston for the day, but again it was raining all day long. She still managed to make it around the city in good fashion, eating at the Union Oyster House for lunch, shopping and touring around as able. After work, Rachel and I met Jen at the apartment for a quick change then headed to the North End for some dinner! We ate at Lo Conte on Salem street and it was fantastic. Following dinner we went to Mike's Pastry, not because we needed more food, but Jen needed to witness this pastry madness. We each selected our favorite dessert then found a stoop and sat on the step together all digging into the same box of pastries with our plastic forks and big old smiles on our faces. Jen was a little disappointed that I had waited until our last evening to take her to this pastry shop! I needed a wheelbarrow to get me home after all of this eating!! I managed to pull my self together though, walking Rachel past the T stop and back to the apartment in order to get Jen's things packed up. Tuesday morning I again headed to work and Jen successfully made it back to the airport. Wednesday after work, I then headed out to NE for my cousins wedding and family fun. Got to Omaha on Wednesday night, mom and Tom picked me up and drove me to the farm. Steph, Rafe, kids and Simon joined us on the farm after driving from Texas. Thursday the kids, mom, Steph and I went into Lincoln for bridesmaid dress shopping purposes, then back out to the farm for a wiener roast and family time. Friday we packed the van to the gills and headed into Omaha, got RJ's tux, ate at Runza, checked into the hotel, took Simon to Katie's apartment and had some fun swim time with the kids in the pool. Kathy met us for some much needed catch up time as I have not seen her in years! What a treat!! Friday night, Katie and Matt met us at Fudruckers for dinner and I got to meet Matt for the first time. What a guy:) We then hurried back to Katie's apartment to help her pack her things to begin her move to IA. Saturday morning we met the other bridesmaids minus Carley, to finalize which dress we all wanted. Leaving Katie the big decision of color!! Amy's wedding was a great success, well obviously she got married and all, but it was a great party and dancing as well. Sunday morning was back to the pool with the whole Vosta clan poolside for breakfast and water time. Steph and family packed up and headed back to Texas. Mom, Tom and I helped Katie pack up to move to Iowa. Them mom, Tom and Simon dropped me off at the airport to head back to Boston for my last week of work!!! WHEEEEEEW!

Thank you to Jen for coming to see me! It was great to share my experiences with you and to gain some new ones along the way! Great memories and one wild and crazy week. I think I could probably sleep for one whole week at this point and I just might after my move home!

Situation leads to Scituate

Rachel is my OT friend from work here at MGH. Originally from PA, her family was coming to Scituate, MA for a week of vacation to visit her mother's side of the family. Most of you know me enough to know that I don't collect too many things, so when it comes to buying souvenirs I don't really buy to many of them either. Since being in Worcester, MA back in October I had been eyeing a type of bracelet that many MA gals were wearing around. I didn't really try very hard to figure out where to get these such bracelets at the time but then moving up to Boston the sightings of these bracelets increased by far, so this upped the curiosity. Now complicate things buy about a million times when this season on the Bachelorette (ABC reality show for those of you that don't follow) one of the contestants Chris L. gave Ally the bachelorette a special "Dennis" bracelet from Cape Cod, MA. After seeing this episode I was quite happy though because I was one step closer to finding out where these bracelets came from. The next day, after the episode aired, I went to work and immediately saw a nurse wearing one of these bracelets. I walked up to her and asked if she knew Dennis. She oddly looked at me and reported that she had no idea who Dennis was. I calmly said, "you know Dennis, the guy that makes those bracelets on the Cape". The following was the reply after about 5min of hysterical laughing, "Becky you do realize that these bracelets are from the town Dennis, MA?". Well NO, no I did not realize that or I won't have just embarrassed myself greatly!!!

To put this all together for you, after hearing that my buddy Rachel was going to the Cape and then figuring out that these bracelets known as Dennis bracelets or Eden bracelets can be bought from the little store in Dennis, I politely invited myself to go with her for the weekend! Rachel was really excited because I have a vehicle, so that meant that she had a free ride to her family's home. Unfortunately after doing some research on the Eden store, due to increased demands stemming from this Bachelorette incident, the store hours had been greatly reduced. I really didn't have much of a chance of getting the bracelet now for this weekend, but I had promised Rachel a ride anyway. Saturday I picked Rachel up from work at MGH and we drove to Scituate, MA which is at the opening of Cape Cod, some people would argue that it is the South Shore. On the way to the Cape, Rachel explained the massiveness of her mother's side of a very Italian family. I kept trying to tell her that my mother's side of the family is quite overwhelming also, however not in the least bit Italian! We arrived to Scituate to her Aunt Mo's and Uncle Tony's lovely beach home and side home that they typically rent out. The homes are positioned in a very quiet little bay/harbor about 20feet from the sea wall that barriers the ocean. I cannot explain the beauty of this location or the warmness of this family with words alone.

The main house is a 2 story home with 2 huge wrap around decks that face the ocean. We were sitting on the main deck talking to her grandmother, Nana, whom is the cutest little Italian women I could have ever imagined, as the family began to sworm onto the property. Rachel's dad, mom and sister Cheryl had driven 10hours from PA and had brought me a PA treat. When I did one of my fieldwork rounds during college, I was positioned in Scranton, PA. There is a beer that is distributed state specific, Yuenling, and her family brought me a whole case of it from their home town!! After all the guests had arrived there were roughly 30 people gathered on the deck. The fun part about this was it was unplanned! People just randomly gather at their home and enjoy the company, family and friends a like. So there we sat for most of the evening sharing stories of life and leisure over dinner and great beer, Yuenling:) I say most of the evening because at one point in the evening/night, her cousin Anthony asked us to go on a boat ride. I didn't put it together until much too late that it was about 9:30pm and we were in fact on an ocean. The boat was also missing the tail running lights. I was assured that Anthony was an experienced driver and he had not been drinking any of this fabulous beer. You would think that the 20min it took to drain the water and get the boat started would have been a clue to us, but we forged on with our fearless leader. The beginning of the cruise was great, listening to music, chatting along watching all of the sailboats and yachts in the harbor busy with people. Some people actually take a dingy from their beach front homes and dock at the beach front restaurants. Paying a $5 docking fee or as we might call it, parking fee. The cruise turned slightly scary when the speed increased to the point of making a fair sized wake behind the boat. The cruise got terrifying when the speed reached, "too fast" and when you look forward you see nothing but black ocean!! I do know how to swim and the part of swimming in the dark is not the worst thing I could imagine. The worst thing however was the thought of swimming at night in an ocean, into the fishing docks where they dump old fish parts into the water at times for feeding purposes!! It was only when we returned to the dock that Anthony revealed the reason we stopped and turned around for shore was the fact that we were headed out to sea in the "inbound" channel! Holy crap, don't share this one with my mother!

Sunday we woke up and watched her Aunt bake scones and Irish soda bread. Then all the women just sat around chatting on the main deck eating fresh baked goodies and sharing coffee. Before lunch Rachel, her dad Paul and I went for a walk along the rock wall/sea wall that leads you around the ocean's edge, to the back of many large homes, much like the "cliff walk" in Newport, RI. Rachel is now convinced that I am a mountain goat, however I just explain the length of my legs has nothing to do with agility or climbing skills. Rachel is all of about 5foot 3in and had quite the time scaling those rocks! After the sea wall adventures, we opted to walk on the road for the way back home. We then sat on the main deck and had lunch and of course a Yuenling, then Rachel and I took to the upper deck for some sun bathing. For dinner this evening was a special treat prepared by her Nana. Fresh, homemade Italian pasta and sauce, YUM! After some sad goodbyes and begging from them for me to not leave, I headed back to Boston quite late in the evening. I left them with an inclining that I may return later in the week if I became ill and couldn't attend work:)

So as luck would have it I ended up being "sick" on Thursday so I could return to Scituate on Wednesday evening. I arrived just in time for lobster dinner with the family! They fight over lobster parts as my family would fight over turkey parts. Rachel's favorite is the claws, Cheryl and her mother, Fran like the knuckles and her dad likes the tail. Works out great if they all agree to share! I did learn quite well as to how you are supposed to crack and eat lobster, and boy was it good! After some research on these bracelets we figured out that the store is in fact closing for a while due to increasing demands and inability to keep up because each bracelet is hand made at this store. We got up on Thursday morning at 6:30am and drove through Dunkin' Donuts for a few coffees and bagels for our 1.5hr road trip. We arrived at the shop hidden back in the woods a few miles out of Dennis, Cape Cod to find there was already a line forming at the door of the shop that doesn't open until 10am! We quickly got in line as a nice lady informed us that you had to have a ticket to get into the shop for any jewelry. We said, no problem, where do you get the tickets. She sadly informed us that they had come the day prior to purchase these tickets. My heart sank to my feet as I realized the chance of obtaining my bracelet was dwindling! After a short discussion we left Cheryl in line, Rachel and I in a hunt for these tickets. At the other door to the shop, which is approximately a 20ft x 15ft structure, there was another line forming and a man with some tickets.

The nice man told us that the tickets for this morning to go into the shop were sold out and we could come back at 1pm or the next day at 10am if we wanted a ticket for those times. I told him we wanted to buy a bracelet right then and we had driven a long way to obtain this beloved bracelet. We were then enlightened to the fact that there are 2 lines; 1 to go into the shop and look around prior to purchase and another express line in which you already know what you want and CANNOT GO INTO THE STORE!!! We quickly called Cheryl over and staked our claim near the front of the express line. The best way to describe this ciaos is to say it is like Black Friday sales. There are people running around everywhere, lines forming, people scuffling about their spot in line, police man directing parking to the very few 20 parking spots around the block, and the workers attempting to settle every one's "issues" about all of these issues. The actual story of these bracelets is a heartfelt tradition for the persons of the Cape or families that travel to the Cape yearly. It is a tradition to give a Dennis bracelet to their young ones such as we give baby rings, and then each year return as a family to collect their souvenir of their summer memories. Due to this reality show however, the tradition is quite ruined for many people to enjoy. It was a bit disheartening, but also exhilarating all the same. Everyone in the express line were looking around at the wrists, fingers, and ear lobes of all the women around to make their final purchase decisions due to the fact that we were not allowed to go into the store, there is no online options of viewing, and certainly no signs posted of pricing or anything. At 30min prior to the posted opening time an angel of a lady brought a stool, calculator and purchase pad to the front of the line. One by one, each lady went to the stool, told the lady what she wanted to purchase, the lady measured your wrist or finger size, went into the store emerging with the selected jewelry. All transactions were done outside with cash or check only, and then you left the premises. I probably haven't had that much adrenaline moving through my system since high school sports participation! We all left with our desired purchases, smiles on our faces and memories of an overwhelmingly amazing experience. Hopefully this will be tradition we could continue!!

Thursday was spent basking in the sun and playing Apples to Apples game with her family on the upper deck, then sharing a dinner prior to having to return to Boston. On the way out the door, Rachel informed me that her Aunt Mo said I could take an ocean buoy with me. I have been craving one of these buoies that usually just wash up on the shores and are collected by locals for lawn or business deck decorations. For functional usage, these buoies are used to float or mark lobster pots out in the ocean. I now have my very own buoy to hang on my fence in Kansas!! What an adventure, like Christmas to me, complete with Yuenling, bracelet, lobster and a buoy! Yet again an unforgettable week that I could not have planned even if I had spent days or months researching the area. I have been so blessed to be in the right places with the right people to gain the best experiences ever imaginable.

Mom versus the East coast

If any of you have had the privilege of being a guest in the home of Bonnie, may it be in NE or in WY you all would agree that she is a superb hostess! She always has events and food planned for all ages and all hours of the day. I have learned my hostess skills from her, so when mom planned a trip to come see me in Boston, I knew I had some planning to do! Mom has been in Jackson Hole, WY and decided to fly from there to here and then to Omaha, then back to Jackson Hole.....why the heck not?! Mom arrived late on Thursday night around 12midnight! She has been used to the hot weather but not the humidity that engulfed her as soon as she hit the Boston air....or lack there of.

Friday I had to work so mom was left to her own accord in Boston for the day. I had planned to meet her for lunch and then give her further directions if needed. She did great on her self-guided tour of Boston for the morning and afternoon, making it back to my apartment packed and ready for our weekend trip. We set out after work and headed to the northeastern tip of MA, Cape Ann. Cape Ann is an island made up of Gloucester and Rockport, and I have made many trips to this great location in the past several months. We pulled up to the "footpath to the Atlantic" sign and mom looked at me a little skeptical I would say. 2 weeks prior I had brought Katie to this same location and the path was overgrown by weeds and grass that made it nearly impossible to navigate. This day however the path had been mowed and maintained and we were able to walk a "Harry Potter" like path to places and lookouts that I had not been able to see. It was absolutely breathtaking and adventurous!! After our adventure to the Atlantic we made a few more stops on the island, at the pier in Rockport and the seaport in Gloucester. We stopped at the Pilot House for fabulous seafood and steak tips! Let the weekend of great views and great food begin.

Friday night we drove from MA to NH to stay at a hotel in Portsmouth that contrary to the description, was not within walking distance to downtown. We figured though that a good night's sleep was sounding better than a beer at the brewery! Saturday morning after a great continental breakfast, we headed north....to Maine:) I decided to head up Route 1, coastal route to stop at a couple beaches along the way. I had not driven this road yet so when we found a beach just north of York, I was pleasantly surprised and mom was elated! I didn't have the heart to tell her that the next day we would spending hours climbing rocks around Cape Elizabeth, because she was having so much fun and to be honest.....any shoreline is beautiful so we should enjoy them all! The sound that the waves made going back out was so cool. It was a fairly steep shore line cluttered with small ocean rocks, so when the wave went back out it rolled the rocks down the shore. Mom said it sounded like, "pop rocks in your mouth". It was difficult to tell her we had to move on from this spot. About 10min later into our drive, the rain began, and the rain continued and continued! We stopped in Kennebunk, ME of course for mom to see Bartley's Dockside restaurant where I have spent so much time and to enjoy a great lunch complete with Maine lobster. Following lunch, in the rain, we decided to do a little shopping while we were there and all.

Mom for some odd reason, loves to swim in this frigged cold water! I on the other hand do not, but I was definitely going to make her day when we stopped just north of Old Orchard beach, at Scarborough beach. It was still raining a little and the air had a definite lower temperature but there was no stopping the crazed senior citizen from swimming around for a bit! We walked the beach for a while and then decided to head up to Portland, ME. We arrived at our little Inn for the night and it was exactly what mom had wanted. She had mentioned that she wouldn't mind staying in a bed and breakfast......with your daughter? really mom?? Well I settled on an Inn which was about the same as a B & B. It was originally built and ran to house the men from the railroad as it was being built in ME but now has been maintained for all types of guest. We had our own cute little room with a double bed and a private bath in the hallway. The wall paper patterns were enough to make you vomit but is was really quaint. We went out and about in the rain in Portland to a few spots, top of the Eastland for a martini and a view, the long warf and to the old port. Somehow we scammed a free ride from the shuttle guy at the Eastland hotel, but from there we had to take a taxi back to the Inn. An experience for the mother!!

Sunday we awoke with hopes to go on a whale watch tour following our adventures at Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth of course. Mom gets motion sickness fairly easy, so it was not a huge disappointment when they had to cancel the whale watch due to "rough seas". Our morning at Cape Elizabeth was awesome! The waves and tide were so high that it added such a level of excitement and beauty that even I hadn't seen in all my trips to this very same location. We traveled and climbed all around the lighthouse on the huge rocks, playing in the water and having fun trying to capture the perfect pictures with the Maine beauty behind us. We had a picnic overlooking the lighthouse and the ocean. It was then that I think mom finally realized why I love it in Maine so much!! Since our whale watch was cancelled and the sun was about to come out from the clouds we quickly made our way to Kennebunk beach to bask in the sun and for mom to swim of course. The water temperature was even a little too cold for mom this day, but of course she got in anyway. Mid afternoon we headed south, stopped at a restaurant close to Wells, ME for some more seafood of course, then headed back to Boston. Wheeeew!

After a quick recovery from our long day of adventure, we headed out to walk the Charles river, get some ice cream and sit on the wharf to enjoy the evening. I was really not too upset when we headed back to the apartment a little early because of course I had to work the next morning. Monday at noon I met mom again for lunch at a different spot. She had already found her way around Boston again successfully that morning. She ventured to Quincey Market and got some lobster bisque for breakfast:) Whatever works for ya mama. Mom still can't figure out why we are all so shocked that she can find her way around Boston so well! Um mom, you usually can't find your way out of a paper bag! Love ya, but it's true! After lunch we attempted to go our separate ways, her to my apartment and me back to work but the weather had other plans. I have not seen rain this intense in quite sometime and of course we had both left our umbrellas behind! The nice waitress at the restaurant gave us some extra umbrellas but unfortunately they didn't help too much. In the one block we had to walk back to the apartment it had rained so hard and the wind had blown us in so many directions that we were absolutely soaked up to our boobs!! I then had to run up to the apartment, change and then run back to work still soaked!! Mom decided to take the opportunity to nap and read for the afternoon being that it poured all afternoon on and off.

Our last evening in Boston I had planned a very romantic night for my mama! We first walked to the blue line stop so she could purchase her ticket and know how to make it to the airport the next morning. Then we went to the North End for some wonderful Italian food, followed by retrieving some pastries at Bova's. We found our way to the water after walking around the North End for a while, and then discovered the Harborwalk. I hadn't found this walkway yet and it was fabulous. The walkway takes you all around the harbor....well duh, hence the name harbor walk I guess! It takes you around the harbor side restaurants, condos, marinas, over little old bridges and over towards where the cruise ships come into customs. It was truly great, can't wait to do that one again!! We didn't realize though how far we had traveled from home in all of our gawking around, so I made the executive decision to cab it back to my apartment. We still had to copy photos and pack up mom's things for her trip to NE in the morning. And yes, she made it without a hitch to the airport the next morning:) She is getting better in her "senior" years!! haha

I've said it before folks, but I love this area! I love being able to show people around especially my mom, even though I am just a tourist myself. Now I think that mom definitely likes the area as well but she is still not keen on the idea of me moving here anytime soon! In fact as soon as she touched down in NE she sent me a text that read, "Can't wait for all of my girls to move to Crete! :)". I replied, "Don't hold your breath!"

A weekend with Katie

The love I have for my sister Katie runs deep into childhood beginning with my beloved job of entertaining her! Entertaining her to keep her outside until dinner, entertaining her until we have to get out of the bath, entertaining her after school, entertaining her on the car ride to grandma's house or better yet on the way to Florida, and just entertaining her because I'm her big sister and mom said that was my job. I took my job with pride and the memories that we share because of it are unmatchable and unfathomable to most. We decided that without this creative energy instilled in us by our mother, we would not have the careers or the vigor for life that we, as young adults, have today!!! So last week Katie came to visit her big sister on the east coast, game on!!!

A movie recently watched quoted saying, "happiness is best when shared". I have been traveling nearly a year now and have had few chances to actually engage people in what I have experienced. I now had the great opportunity of entertaining another sister, Katie. Katie had just spent a week in Jackson Hole, WY with her boyfriend Matt and of course our parents, and now was traveling to Boston to see me. If any of you know Katie's vacation schedule or tolerance I should say, you wouldn't believe that our little Katie could withstand a 2 week adventure, but she did with great sustenance. Katie was to arrive on Thursday afternoon around 4:30pm to Boston however a slow start in Jackson Hole and a stalled engine in Chicago stranded her there. With quick thinking and our geographically trained brains, Katie was rerouted to Providence, RI arriving at 11pm that same evening. 1.5hr road trip for Becky and a little planned reorientation, I received Katie safe and sound.....not quite sane and sound :)

After a round about trip into Boston to avoid traffic, quick view of my amazing patio and photo sharing we hit the hay anxious for our weekend travels. Friday morning we awoke with a sprint, gathered our bags and headed out to Maine, not before getting coffee at Dunkin' Donuts for ourselves and the lovely concierge, Farrah. It seemed like an 80hr trip up to Portland, ME due to Katie's lack of enthusiasm for travel at this point and my anxiety to create the perfect trip but we made it. We barely remembered our sunscreen prior to sprinting, or running, OK jogging to the lighthouse that so many of you have only seen in photos. Cape Elizabeth of Fort Williams Park, Katie Anderson has arrived and you have never seen someone more excited to be there. We looked at her from all angles, the lighthouse that is, taking photos the best we could with our self timering skills. We then decided to rock climb a little down to the ocean! Beautiful, adventurous, and stupid considering I didn't know how to get back up! We eventually figured it out after jumping over a fence, a few local tourists greeted us with glee exclaiming that they had been watching us and were worried we wouldn't make it up out of the valley of rock and sea. After our adventures we found the perfect lookout for a quick picnic and last pictures before headed back into the truck.

From Portland we headed down to Kennebunk, ME of course to show Katie my "local" hangout and get some darn good seafood. As our late lunch was being prepared, I took the liberty to take Kate to the beach, spread out a blanket and soak up the sun on the shores of Maine. The phone rang when our lunch was almost ready and we headed back to the restaurant to sit outdoors on the patio and enjoy our baked stuff lobster and haddock ala dockside. When our bellies were full and Katie was convinced that I had been telling the truth about the food for the past 6months, we headed down to Portsmouth, NH for the evening and to stay the night. Portsmouth is a great "walking" town with small shops along the river, bordered by Kittery, ME. We had a fun evening of catching up and walkin' the streets!

Saturday we awoke and found Dunkin' Donuts yet again after the exciting continental breakfast of fruit loops and english muffins. I attempted to take Katie along a great route 1 up the coast line, but really it proved to be a futile attempt. You have to park or stop mostly and get out of the car to see the ocean, but you could smell it if you had the windows down! Come on people....I'm a tourist too remember!! We decided to hop onto the interstate in the interest of time and cruised onto the island of Cape Ann, MA. I pulled right up to the footpath to the Atlantic that I'm fairly convinced at this point that I'm the only one that knows about, and started down the pathway. Well the last time I was here, it was winter and there wasn't too much greenery....however now it was covered and surrounded with overgrown bush and thistles! Bad choice on the sandals and skirts, oops! We did make it to a great picnic spot after a little trespassing and some rock climbing again. Thank goodness Katie is very fit!!

What I didn't know about Cape Ann this weekend was that it was some sort of festival weekend. Stopped cars, packed beaches and long lines for restaurants. I am not used to any of this and did a lot of pointing and driving by with descriptions of how neat it would be if I had enough patience to find parking! Sorry Katie. We did manage to have a great lunch at Causeways by the marina with fried seafood and clam chowda'. It was all part of a plan I'm sure to hurry us back to Boston this afternoon because we needed a quick nap prior to our next adventure, whale watching!!

Katie was quite unsure about this event and had to do some hard visualization meditation to prepare for our whale watching tour out of the Boston Harbor. I had a friend of mine from work, Rachael join us just in case I needed some medical backup on the trip. We left the harbor in overcast skies taking in every scene, but quickly found a dry seat indoors for the 45min trip out to sea. When we first arrived at the whale watch site we were a little underwhelmed due to the distance away from the whales we were, however that was soon to change. We were on a catamaran, 3 level boat that had a gap in the front, or splint deck. Katie said at one point that it would be fairly neat to see a whale come up in the middle of the decks....well Katie, ask and you shall receive. At one point Katie looked over and said, "what is that under the water?", I said, "don't know looks like smoke or something......or a WHALE!" Holy crap the whale about hit the dang boat!! There were 2 whales that took turns coming up and diving sometimes together and then at the end, not together at all because one of them took a liking to our boat! After and hour and a half or so the announcer said that we had just sited our last whale and we should head back. Well the boat didn't move, neither did our intent to see just one more whale. Katie would describe it as a conversation between her and God, leading her to look out one side of the boat and viewing the most blessed event of the trip. A whale came right out of the side of the boat right under where we were standing in perfect swimming form, performing a great dive for the grand finale! The excitement can only be described as elation. Katie said that it was definitely worth the money she didn't spend on the trip!! :) I was just thankful that all of Katie's practicing of "whale talk" for the past 24hours had not only paid off, but had now come to an end!

Sunday we awoke to another awesome adventure of a segway tour. Those of you that aren't up to technology....these are the little standing, 2 wheeled scooter things that you see people riding with helmets and vests, sometimes mall cops. We had a great walk across the Charles river after stopping and grabbing a quick lunch at whole foods (whole paycheck) and finding our way into the Cambridge area. We were the only 2 people on the tour which proved to be great because we needed the extra attention of the 2 guides. We had a 2 hour tour that followed a 20min crash course, no pun intended. Helmets donned, about 20ft into the tour was our fist decline, Katie lost control and our first hubcap....ooops! We had a fun tour of west Boston crossing the river, circling Fenway, cruising through Boylston area, the green necklace parks, and some other stuff that I couldn't hear because we were cruising at about 14mi/hr on a mobile craft. It was a fun, funny, adventurous and successful trip without injury except the hubcap!

After our ride we managed to take the T (red line) to a shopping location and then navigate home for a nap! We then got dressed for Katie's only request of the whole entire trip, "Becky, I just want to eat a lot of crab legs out of a bucket!" Well let me tell you folks, this ain't easy around here. Crab legs aren't the most popular seafood around these parts but I hear that they are in Baltimore, MD. So besides chartering a plane I took a pole of every human being in the area for the past month and came up with a spot. We did have to navigate the transportation system once again and got a little off track, but thanks to my dad Steve's directional sense....we made it to the Summer Shack. So we sit down to eat and they do in fact have the crab legs and I do see red buckets at some of the tables. Katie then decides that they are too expensive being her practical self.....with reddened eyes and desperation I explain to Katie, "so help me, if I have found the only place on the east coast with crab legs and a bucket, get you here via public transport, and you don't order them.....I will cry! I'm buying, order the damn legs now, PLEASE dear sister!" So when she decided on the pan seared sherri, garlic and rosemary seasoned crab legs that turned out to be the best meal of either of our lives....we weren't mad when they weren't actually served in the bucket because we put them in there for a dang picutre!! Amazing!

Monday I had to work and let me tell you, I was a little worried about the Katie versus Boston movie that was about to unfold. I was either going to warn the ER at MGH or the coast guard of her arrival but hadn't decided on either prior to her successfully meeting me for lunch after she had ran about the city and made it back to the apartment to shower after stopping for coffee even! Wow she has grown folks! After lunch she then found her way to Boston commons to enjoy frog pond, with swan boats though, to CVS, and back the apartment again! What the heck, she is great ya know!! Our last night we got dolled up, strolled into the North End for some wonderful Itailan food and a few desserts from Mike's Pastry, fun picks below the Boston skyline and then passing out like the fat rat on Charlotte's Web after the night at the fair!

Tuesday was sad for many reasons, firstly because we had to awake at 4:15am, secondly because she was almost late for her plane anyway, and thirdly because she left! What an amazing trip for the both of us! Whirlwind of entertainment, traveling between 4 states it turned into being that she flew into RI. So if you were counting....we went from RI, to MA. MA to ME through NH, then back to NH for the evening. Then from NH to MA. Take that geography majors and world travelers!!! We did it, little to either of our imaginations that this would be possible at any points of our lives. God is great, gifts are major, rewards are sweet and traveling rules!!! Love ya you know Katie!!!

Mainly Boston

I apologize for my lack of blogging lately but I have been on a work, sleep, have fun pattern for the past 3weeks. Not that writing in my blog is not fun, however sleep or fun have definitely been a priority and for that I really am not going to apologize! So the last blog entry was my trip up here to Boston, and not too much has changed. I was worried that nothing really exciting has happened lately to blog about, but actually I fear that exciting is now my normal so it's going to take something pretty amazing to make the list of exciting weekend adventures!!

My job here at Massachusetts General Hospital is going really well! So well in fact that they have offered me a job practically daily and have now extended my current assignment until the beginning of September! I am really fitting in quite well here, still working on the neurology unit which offers much excitement. At the beginning I was a bit underwhelmed, but now things are evening out really well.

Things I have done in Boston that top the list.......well I live so close to everything that I simply pick a direction and walk that way until I find something neat. I went kayaking on the Charles river with a coworker which was amazing, attended earthfest on that same river for an afternoon. I have been to the North End for great Italian food and Mike's Pastries a few times with random guests. I like to go sit down along the harbor and watch the sailboats and jelly fish surface at sunset. I stumbled upon Beacon Hill/Boston Commons with Frog Pond the other day, yesterday sat in the commons and read my new Chelsea Handler book soaking up the rays!! One of my first weeks as some of you have heard, I had been shopping all day and ducked into the Beantown Pub for some lunch early afternoon when a young man decided to jump off the church to his death! That was less than exciting!

My view from my patio is quite amazing as I may have mentioned before, so leaving the comforts of my own apartment is difficult! I have found a good shopping street called Washington street but have only gone twice thank goodness. I have been down to the Holocaust monument and surrounding are of Quincy market and such. Most recently the NBA playoffs have consumed most of Bostonians attention and time. I live practically on top of the Garden where the Celtics and Bruins play, so as you may have guessed, my street has been a little hectic for the past few weeks. Well who am I kidding, it is always busy. I have a local pub that I now am friends with the waitress Shelia so we do a little book exchange and she talks to me if I ever go in to watch the games alone. Nice to know people and not sit alone and pretend to look at your phone all night!! The Celtics did lose in game 7 this past week, but it was an exciting time in Boston for sure!

A few weeks ago, another traveler Jamie and I went to the casino in Connecticut, to Foxwoods. I don't gamble much at all but she sure loves her some blackjack, so it was fun to tag along for an evening. Getting back to my apartment at 5am was not ideal considering the fact that I am 30 now!!! Lazy next day for sure! I have been venturing onto the subway system with help of course, trying to learn the ins and outs, literally. It doesn't make too much sense in my brain just yet but I am trying. I am still trying to get over the fact that I have been here 5weeks and driven Samantha only 3 times! It's actually quite great to not worry about driving.

Most of my weekends have been spent in Maine! Well 3 in a row, but now I'm back on the Boston track! I will be having some visitors here shortly so I have to save my traveling strength and planning ideas!! Mom and Katie will be coming for 5days each, 1 week a part....wheeew! The problem that I'm running into with traveling every weekend is not something I've dealt with back in October through January. It's called tourist season and tourist prices! Well I'm not really a tourist when I know where I'm going....right? The past few weekends have been great because I happened to have made some friends in Kennebunk back in November, so they have let me stay with them to avoid hotel costs. This leaves more money for lobster! Oh how I missed my baked stuffed lobster from Bartley's Dockside in Kennebunk, ME. Now I get to sit out on the patio and look out over the port as I enjoy my lobster!

Memorial weekend was a 3 day weekend spent on the beaches of Kennebunk, Scarborough, and up in Portland at Cape Elizabeth. It is quite fun to come back here now when the weather is tolerable to sit outside without a winter coat!! The weather is not overly hot though, needing a jacket most evenings especially up in Maine. There has consistently been about a 10degree difference between Boston and Kennebunk area, so dressing in layers is ideal. Cape Elizabeth is the lighthouse at Fort Williams Park that I have fallen in love with. Sunday of Memorial Day weekend I spent about 4hrs at the park. It was full of people, climbing rocks, picnicking, hiking, taking pictures, sunbathing....etc. It was so fun to be there for the day relaxing and enjoying other's joy and the beautiful scenery.

The following 2 weekends I went back up to Maine, but it rained pretty consistently for most of both weekends:( I did manage to spend a few hours on the Kennebunk shore one afternoon, interrupted by a strange phone call. My friend Jon that works at Bartley's frantically called me and said there were tornado warnings along the coast and they would feel better if I wasn't sitting along the shore. I asked, "Warning? That means one has been spotted, where is it?" Jon says, "I don't know Bec, we aren't used to these things around here. Warning/watch, whatever. You should just come back now!" It was quite hilarious and cute at the same time! Needless to say there was no tornado that day or the next, but there was some heavy rainfall and fog. Similar issues as a tornado to them I'm sure :)

This weekend has been absolutely gorgeous! I feel guilty staying inside to get any rest on my one day off but Katie will be here Thursday so I have to rest up for our festivities!! I love sharing my travels with people, getting to see their reaction to what I find truly great!!!

Back to Mass

Saturday night I arrived home from Mexico to Dhana's home who had chosen to travel with me up north for the next week. She watched as I unpacked and repacked all of the needed clothing/supplies into the correct bags and then packed Samantha ready for our trip. I had a little trouble moving the top lugage rack to place the canvas top carrier but as well all know, Dhana does not possess any tools. We had to wait until 7am until her mother brought the needle nosed pliers for us to place and load the top carrier. As Dhana's mom, Hilda, left us she did not have wishes for safe travel or a plea to keep her daughter safe. She left me with these words, "Becky, do not leave this house until you make sure that Dhana makes her bed!" Ok that sums up the women in the south, so moving onto the north!

About an hour into our travels I realized that I had put the top carrier on upside down and Dhana had to use the restroom already, so we stopped against my will to repack the carrier and allow Dhana to relieve herself. I had planned the trip for the week to travel part way north about 9hrs to Baltimore, MD and stay with my friend Ally who has been in MD since Feb. Thanks to traffic jams and Dhana's small bladder, we ended up in Baltimore about 10hrs after departure! Ally lives right downtown Baltimore which only got me more excited to see my apartment in Boston! We quickly changed and with Dhana's ADHD we had to quickly flee the apartment for a dinner location. After a great meal we went out to a few bar establishments where Ally and I caught up from the past 3months while Dhana proceeded to give all of her cash to homeless people!

Monday we were left to our own adventures while Ally went to work unfortunately. Dhana and I ran around town, or walked being that I still had my faithful and handy boot on my foot. We did some shopping to apease Dhana and then had lunch on the inner harbor of Baltimore with the boat taxis coming in and out as people hustled around us. Ally met us after work for dinner and some more Baltimore adventures as we taught Dhana taxi etiquite and the northern culture. We ended up staying out way too late for our early morning departure for Maine.

At 8am we left Baltimore and drove up around Phili, through NYC, around Boston and up into Maine. We stopped at my favorite spot, Kennebunk and checked into our hotel with ease. Come to find out, Bartley's restaurant, the one I have spent much time at in the off season, is now closed for dinner during the seasosn on the week days! What the heck is going on??? Well we did manage to have some fun with my friend Jake meeting us for dinner and a mean game of trivia. Wednesday was Cinco de Mayo, so wisely spent hanging out in Maine with friends and some cervezas.

Thursday morning we awoke with a sprint and packed up our tornado striken hotel room to head back down to Boston. Short trip thank goodness, or Dhana would have jumped out of a moving vehicle, about 1.5hrs to Boston. Quickly found my apartment and got my keys to ride up to the 27th floor and let our jaws hit the floor when we saw the view that I will have for the next 13wks. We managed to unpack and park Samantha safely int the garage while we regrouped and entertained one of Dhana's friends that has lived here in Boston for 3yrs as part of the cost guard team. He was very impressed with the view, stating that there is not a hotel in Boston that you could pay enough money for a view like the one I have!! Yay me:) Dhana and I found our way with little direction to the North End for a great Italian meal and a little shopping. Headed home early and slept for 13hrs, maybe we were a little tired?

Friday was a fantastic day getting around Boston. Went directly to Dunkin Donuts and then quickly walked to Massachucetts General Hospital where I will be working. About an 8min walk from my apartment, awesome. We got groceries at Whole Foods really close to my apartment, mindful of course that you have to carry what you purchase! Went back to the apartment to unpack a little and regroup for our next adventures. We then set out on foot across Boston. I will say that my dad did leave me with a little of his directional sense in which I am very thankful. I have been to Boston twice before previously but with little touring or orientation thanks to weather or events of the weekend. This Friday I managed to steer us directly to everything that we would ever want to see in Boston, or that I know of at this point! Traveled to the Holocaust Monument, into Quincy Market and then to stop for lunch at the long wharf. We had a fabulous day with adventures, touring, shopping, balloon hats and dancing.

Saturday was pretty much a wash, watching 4 movies, heading out for food in between naps and Becky unpacking some more of my apartment. Saturday night we were asleep by about 9pm and slept for another 12hours. We are old I guess:) Sunday was Dhana's day to return to Sumter, SC so we began walking to the South Station in order to catch the silver line to the airport. Thank goodness we gave up part way and called a cab because the transit system is more sporadic on Sunday's and we would have missed her flight. After heading to the wrong airline then traipsing across 2 terminals to get to the right one, I gladly handed over my 7day travel buddy to US airways! Then came the fun part of realizing that Logan airport is on an island and I had not too good of idea as to how to return to my apartment. Swimming was not an option so I found where the silver line picked up and how to purchase a ticket.

Followed the crowd getting off the silver line at south station but then upon ascending from the subway realized that my apartment was not the tallest building in the financial district area. Most parts of Boston I had been too, I could see my apartment towering above all else, so I would just walk in that direction until something was familiar. Well I was lost for sure! I walked around until I hit a bridge and realized that was not correct, but as I turned to go back I saw a sign that directed me on my path. Ran through Quincy Market to grab a Gyro, stopped to call my mom on mother's day and made it back to my apartment about 1.5hrs after leaving Dhana! Don't think it is a world record on foot, but it will be a goal to beat next visitor delivery to the airport.

So this week Monday, Tuesday, and most of Wednesday was orientation to the hospital. I am on the Neurology unit at Mass General (MGH), where I'm quite comfortable thus far. I am still getting used to walking everywhere, to work, to the store, to eat, to get mail, etc. I do visit Samantha in the parking garage every other day. She is doing great resting in her new home and making lots of friends! Great city, awesome view, unmatchable career opportunity and countless possibilities for memories to cherish!

Viva la Mexico otra vez

The ending of my time in SC came with a great reward.....back to Mexico, Cancun. A few gals from KC had wanted to go "sometime" this year, I had no clue it was as close to my previous visit in October until they called me to tell me that I was in fact going with them! So Friday I ended my stint at Toumey Hospital in Sumter, SC and began packing the apartment to leave the state. I have my new buddy the walking boot on my right foot which was to protect my supposed stress fracture or tendinitis from further demise! The entire weekend was spent packing, resting, elevating, cleaning, taking meds, resting, packing, carrying, and taking the boot on and off about 8times a day so that I can drive Samantha for errands as well as to move some items to Dhana's home for the week. I thank my mother for my organizational skills that I have to possess at this particular time in my life. I had bags for Mexico, bags for the following week to travel to Boston, items that can sit in my truck for the week at the airport, and more valuable items that needed to be stored at Dhana's! Are you tired yet?

So here I am sleeping on my couch in my sleeping bag in my clean and empty apartment realizing that I am a complete crazy person!! Woke up at 5:30am to finish packing and such, turned in my apartment keys and headed to Charleston to board the plan for Mexico. Arriving in Mexico about 1hr earlier than my friends coming from KC, I had no choice but to stand outside at the bar and catch some sun. After the arrival of the friends we successfully made our way to our gorgeous resort in Cancun. Great hotel, bluest waters ever witnessed and a perfect sunset. The week was set up to be very relaxing even before I injured my paw. Angela had assured me that she had no intentions of doing anything beyond sitting at the pool/beach, and she did not disappoint.

Day one was spent at the pool or beach or swim-up bar, having fun and laughs all day with some sun as well. This night we went to the "oriental" restaurant at the resort which was fabulous. We ended up singing a little karaoke and partaking in the hot tub experience. The next day was cloudy and windy with hints of rain, but this did not stop Angela and I from sitting at the pool most of the day. The other 2 girls had made arrangements to go swim with the dolphins, but as Angela had promised, her, I and the boot stayed behind for some R&R. After the other gals returned we tried out the "Italian" restaurant which was not as horrible as everyone had warned, but not awesome. We had planned after dinner to go out with the activities crew from the resort however with a twist of fate we missed the boat on that one and ended up back in the hot tub.

The following day we all went on a wonderfully scary excursion! Angela has 2 major fears, flying and sharks. How she ended up in Cancun, I will never know but she had done really well. We went to the marina and loaded into little 2 seater boats that we were now blessed to operate with little to no demonstration. Our instructions were to follow the boat in front of you and not to pass, follow the hand signals and you will be all right. After about 5min of driving in the bay we entered the "jungle" area around topsy-turby turns, high winds which make big waves. It was about this time that Angela began to rethink her purchase of ticket. Then it was about this time that we were signaled to give it the gas out into the vast ocean. Now is when Angela's "fun" turned into pure panic! Here I am, a female that happens to like to fish, that has happened to land me behind the wheel of several boats and driving them into waves at Johnson Lake that sometimes get quite high.....now at the mercy of my friend that has driven a pontoon boat only.

We were not the last one in the boat parade followed by another couple and then one of the guides. However, at the time of the most panic, we found ourselves not only at the end of the line but pretty far from the last boat from what I could see of them. Angela was trying to keep it together between gagging and screaming, but every time a large wave came about.....she would slow up! I tried to remain calm, being that I work with panicked patients daily I knew that active listening would be key. Well then it turned into forceful suggestion....."Angela you have to gun it or you will drown us!" This could really be a life philosophy....When faced with a huge wave, just gun it!

Well much to my amazement and to Angela's dismay, we made it to our destination seemingly unharmed. The new problem being that our destination was not land, or even close to it. We were tying up to a booie in the middle of the ocean along a reef. Most of us jumped out of the boats and began our snorkeling adventures, Angela stayed in the boat and watched for sharks! The snorkeling was not the best but we did see a sea worm, lobster, large sea shell with urchin in it (very precise I know), and lots of beautiful fish. Obviously when we returned to the boats, it was my turn to drive. I will say that the ride back was much more calm and it had little to do with me. The wind had calmed and we were driving with the waves back to shore. Landing successfully on land we high tailed it back to the resort for all of us to relax our nerves! Who in their right mind would allow untrained females to drive a small dingy into the vast ocean and tie up to a small booie?

After a short recovery period we made our way to the room for a well needed and deserved nap. We awoke with a sprint to head back to the oriental restaurant when Becky realized that she did not fell well and eating was no longer an option. I was back in bed by 8:30pm never to get back up until morning light! Friday was our last full day in Mexico so Angela and I had a very busy day planned at the pools while the other two, Angie and Amanda, headed to the Mayan Ruins. I would like to make a side note that I was not being difficult or uninterested in the Mexican culture during this trip in any way. It was simply the fact that this was my 4th trip to Mexico in the past 10yrs and I had seen about all I needed and bought enough souvenirs to fill my and my families' homes. Now staying on this side of the coast line had proven to be quite windy. At some point during the day, while the whitecaps were filling the pool, Angela told me that wind in some cultures is used as a torture form. It was about 2hrs into the day that I believed her. The wind was so great that you couldn't even hear yourself talk, let alone your friends. Drinks had to remain in hand for fear of spilling and after every application of sunscreen came a dense coat of sand that was blowing up from the beach about 100ft away.

We braved the wind and managed to have a great day, planning to go out in Cancun and live it up for our last night there. After the girls' adventures and the torturing wind we decided to eat and go to bed early. We are definitely showing our age by this point in the trip. The next morning, Saturday, we packed up the rooms and headed for our homes in the states. The girls landed in KC and I made it back to Charleston around 8pm then to drive the 2hrs back to Sumter. I got to Dhana's about 10pm, caught up on the week with her then packed Samantha ready for our trip up north!!!! No plans of returning to Mexico despite my mom's idea to sell my home and move to Mexico, "since you love Mexico so much". I have seen how she has dealt with Steph moving to Texas and I think in an effort to save her sanity I will continue my travels within the USA!