July 3-July 23                          North Kingstown, Rhode Island

With partially inclement weather, the Fourth of July was subdued with less boat traffic than expected.  We enjoyed a great fireworks display from the nearby beach. Cleaning and packing for our Netherlands trip began, Shannon, the designated dog sitter came for Pretzel and we scheduled a car to take us to the airport in Boston.

Before leaving, I was surprised to learn the first part of my article on our journey through Canada was published in the American Boat Club magazine, The Ensign.  The title is Octogenarian Odyssey and will be serialized in four issues.  One of my photographs is on the cover.  Sometimes I impress my children!

We arrived in Amsterdam early on July 8, met Joe and Stephanie and took our arranged transportation to Willemstad where our chartered boat was docked.  After our stay in a charming little hotel, we boarded the boat, a 35-foot Linssen motoryacht with two staterooms and two heads.  

Our first stop was Annalind in South Holland but we decided we would go north to the canal area.  We visited Oudewater, Dordrecht, Gouda, several small charming villages on the River Vecht, went through Amsterdam on a lovely summer day with thousands of other boaters, Weesp and finally Delft.  Here our trip was aborted due to serious engine problems.  We spent three nights at the Hilton in The Hague then moving to the Hilton Schiphol before our departure on July 23.

 We visited the magnificent Mauritshuis and the incredible Louwman Car Museum in The Hague.  Our final day in Amsterdam, we visited the Rijksmuseum and marveled at the many changes since its renovation. 

Despite problems with the boat, too many low bridges (or closed bridges) and one day of very hot weather, we had a great trip made even more so by Stephanie and Joe who were delightful companions and always considerate and flexible. 

As with any long trip, one of the best parts is returning home and finding all is well.  Pretzel came the following day and we began unpacking and washing clothes.  Back to normal!