August 17-August 28                        Boston, Massachusetts

Hurricane Ida was causing considerable problems for residents of the Gulf Coast and seemed to be headed for New Orleans.  Weather in the Northeast remained pleasant and we finally planned our long-awaited voyage to Boston.  Last minute stern and bow thruster issues threatened a delay but capable shipyard help arrived with a needed part, made the repair and we departed the dock on a sunny day with little wind.

Our destination was Onset Safe Haven Marina, located in the charming Victorian village of Onset at the western end of the Cape Cod Canal.  Buzzards Bay was busy with numerous ferries, sailboats, commercial fishing vessels and tankers.  Our automatic pilot was efficient in holding the course but keen watchfulness and alertness were required to avoid a collision.

The following day, we left Onset before 9:00 AM, entered the Cape Cod Canal and sped through on an outgoing tide.  As always, the shores were crowded with campers, bicyclists and fishermen.  The bridges were already showing traffic congestion as folks were headed for Cape Cod.  The Atlantic Ocean part of our journey required an alert vigil to avoid the many lobster pots and fishing vessels.

At 3:00 PM, we docked at Boston Waterboat Marina, located in downtown Boston and only a few blocks from the condo of our good friend, Jerry.  We enjoy a spectacular view in the evenings from the bow of our boat.

We were invited to come early to Jerry's home and then to dinner later at a nearby restaurant.  Jerry’s place is on the tenth floor of a converted manufacturing building and has an unobstructed view of planes departing from nearby Logan Airport and boats and ferries covering Boston Harbor.  The view is fabulous and addictive—one could watch the scene for hours.

We always enjoy the company of Jerry and Jill and they graciously invited us to take a motor trip the following day to some of the lovely villages north of Boston. Jerry is an excellent tour guide and we saw the historical sights of Manchester-By-The-Sea, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Gloucester and Rockport.  The beaches and the streets were crowded.  I saw again Le Provence in Rockport where  David had found years ago a special nativity for our collection. and a bookstore in Manchester where I had met a most interesting shopkeeper.

 All of Jerry’s favorite restaurants and lobster pots were requiring long waiting times.  Finally, we stopped at The Village in Ipswich and enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner on a charming patio.

Pretzel, our long-haired miniature Dachshund accompanied us to dinner and literally “stole the show.”  Long conversations about dogs with waitstaff and other diners continued throughout dinner.   Pretzel modestly lay quietly by David’s shoes and basked in the adulation.