I've lost track of the days. We're in Portland.

Yesterday was a great day in Newburyport, Mass. I took pictures yesterday and the night before that I forgot to show you.

This next one is just to prove that we remembered to take a picture of the three of us. We so often forget. But it really is an awful picture. Supper was great, so that's something.

Then last night, it rained a little and we enjoyed a nice evening on the stern. And saw this rainbow!

This morning, we left Newburyport early and had a very pleasant ride (except for all the lobster pots) to Portland, Maine. 

We saw a bunch of lighthouses. I got pictures of four.

This is West Cape Elizabeth and East Cape Elizabeth.

This is Portland Head.

And this is Ram Island light.

Now we're in for the night. The boat is all clean and sparkly. And this town has a whole lot for us to see tomorrow. There will be pictures. 

Hope you're well. Thanks for reading!

Day 7 and 8: Off to Newburyport!

Because of Arthur, we spent one extra day in Charlestown. We left yesterday morning around 7:30. We passed by the USS Constutition and a really cool looking destroyer on the way out.

Apologies that the pics are a little blurry.

We traveled down the Charles River out to the ocean. It was a great day for traveling. We were expecting swells from the hurricane but there were none. We passed by these lighthouses on the way.

One was built, then there were apparently concerns about whether the land there would support it, so they built another. Now they have two! 

I wish I'd gotten pics coming into the harbor from the ocean. There was a serious current because it was just before low tide, the wind was INSANE, and there were about a billion Sunday boaters out doing what Sunday boaters do. We got into the marina with few hiccups, despite the wind.

I hosed down the boat after we got in, then took a walk around the town. This is a very cool town. Small, but happenin! 

Then last night, we went out to a restaurant called The Black Cow. I enjoyed my haddock very much. I'll try to take some pictures today. You'll like this town.

Hope you're all well! Love.

Day 6: Arthur changed our plans.

Yesterday, if you'll remember I was at a downtown Starbucks and from there I was headed to Walgreens. On the way, I found a really cool bookstore at the end of an alley.

I bought one book, James Thurber's My Life and Hard Times. I haven't started it yet, but I'm super excited.

When I got back to the boat, Barry informed me that I had missed out on the USS Constuitution leaving. It was the fourth, so it was some ceremonial something or other. Hence, the fire boats' ceremonial spray.

It's a good thing Boston rescheduled 4th activities, because yesterday's weather would have really ruined things. It was spitting rain on me, on and off, all morning. When I got back to boat, Barry and I had lunch on the stern and watched it really start raining. And it didn't stop. All day long. I took this pic after supper. Remember, the black boat-shaped icon is the boat...

Luckily, today is a BEAUTIFUL day. It's about 65 degrees outside, windy, and sunny! I tried going to Zume's, the coffee shop I went to the other day, but as I walked up a guy told me, "Sorry, we're closed. Theres a flood in the basement." At the time, I didn't understand how that affected my cup of coffee, but I think that might have been a bad attitude. So now I'm at Dunkin. Harrumph. (My coffee was good, my muffin was fine. I'm just complaining.) 

I have some chores to do today, then I may walk over the bridge again if the weather is still this nice. 

That's all for today. Happy 5th of July!

Day 5 of 23: Happy 3rd of July!

Yesterday I left you at Sorelle's in Charlestowne. From there, I walked back to the boat and got a few chores done.

Here's my walk back:

When I got back to the boat, I made iced tea. I just had to show you.

Then Barry and I played with the dinghy some. 

Pics or it didn't happen!

That's more a grimace than a smile. 

It was hot. And inflating is hard work.

Then Barry told me how best to tie the line, i.e. "apply my brain," as he says.

The original plan was to take the dinghy up the Charles River to see the Boston Pops concert and the fireworks. Plans change. We stayed on the boat and watched the boat traffic for an hour or so, then had burgers up on the bridge. Yum oh.

Selfie!

It was a fun night. And beautiful weather!

This morning I walked across the Charlestowne Bridge into Boston to find coffee and pick up a prescription for Alice.

There's the boat from the bridge!

Anyone afraid of heights? This is not the bridge for you.

This next one is a weird angle. My feet look supersonic white. But I'm still showing you because we're friends. And because that's the water under me! It was pretty cool.

Now I'm at a Starbucks near the Walgreens. Across from a Dunkin, of course.

If I didn't already mention it before, this town is pretty cool. Hope you're enjoying the pictures!

Love!

Day 4: Go Team!

Good morning from Zume's Coffee House in Charlestowne, Mass. This place is very cool. Wait, I'll get to that.

Yesterday morning, Barry and I went grocery shopping. They have a Whole Foods near the marina and the dock master lent us his car for the morning. Pretty sweet. 

I went for another walk around this part of town- saw a splatted bird egg on the sidewalk. It was the prettiest shade of bright blue ever. Would have taken a picture but I thought it would be indecent.

We had lunch on the boat and then Barry went for a "history lesson," he called it- a tour of the USS Constitution.

Then yesterday afternoon we went to Fenway for the baseball game. I didn't get near the amount of pictures I wanted to, but here's what I have.

Our seats were supposed to be directly behind that column there, but luckily there was no one sitting next to us so we could scoot. Great view!

We had a blast. Beers were drank, hot dogs were eaten, fun was had by all. 

So now, I'm at Zume's. I got in just before the rest of Charlestowne needed their caffeine fix. It's a busy place. There are currently 4 dogs waiting outside. A dalmation, a black lab, a yellow lab, and the prettiest golden retriever I've ever seen. Everyone is either a dog owner or a baby stroller walker. Seriously, I think there's something in the water. Babies and soon-to-be babies everywhere. Great for people watching.

I have no idea what's in store for today. I have some chores to do. And there could be a chance to take the dinghy out. I'll take pictures. Happy July 3rd!

Day 3: A second tour around Bean Town

I assumed incorrectly that the beans in question were of the coffee variety. All I've seen people up here do in the last 3 days is drink coffee (Dunkin, usually... Not that there's anything wrong with that), smoke, and drive badly. No, apparently these beans are baked. Boston is known for its baked beans? Ok.

So, yesterday was a fairly uneventful day. I hopped on the trolley after my cup of AuBonPain coffee (which was good, and not too bitter, like Dick said it would be) and got some more pictures of the city.

Anyone remember the Police HQ building from the movie The Departed? Me neither. But this is it. Fun fact about this building: it's a government building, mental health I think the tour guide said. During construction, govt. picked an extremely expensive exterior textured detail. The detail had to be done with jackhammers and created a sort of corduroy look. Apparently, it was so expensive that the building was never completed and now there are stairways that lead nowhere and doors that lead into walls. Well done, Bean Town.

Faneuil Hall:

Park Street Church, a big deal in history, apparently:

Trinity Church. Holy cannoli, it's beautiful!

Tortoise and the Hare statues. And a close up of the turtle for Momma.

I just love his little face.

Ok, anyone remember the episode(s) of Friends where Ross shows off his keyboarding skills? I think this guy was channeling that character. I kid you not, this guy's "music" sounded JUST like it even from a block and a half away. So as not to hurt his feelings, haha yeah right... Really so he didn't expect me to tip him, I acted as if I was taking a picture of the John Hancock building and Trinity Church. 

It didn't occur to me to take video. Dangit.

I got a better picture of part of the fire dept building from yesterday, and one of the police station.

I had a delicious lunch at Ames Plow again. And made more friends. These were Canadians. We chatted soccer. I really hate that sport. What's the extra time for?! The Canadians didn't know either.

While Barry and Alice were still out touring the city, I read some and napped some on the stern of the boat. We had lasagna. The cannon went off at sunset. Lovely evening in Boston.

Now, I'm at Sorelle's. Iced coffee and a carrot cake muffin for breakfast, yum oh! Barry and I are going grocery shopping in a bit.

Tonight we are going to a baseball game. The Red Sox play the Cubs. I don't know what any of this means, so I'm wearing an American flag tee shirt. Go team! 

There will be pictures tomorrow for sure. 

Hugs!