Walking the Boston Freedom Trail and Visiting Harvard

We've always wanted to see some of Boston's historical landmarks and what better way than to partake of the Freedom Trail.  It was a drizzly day with temps in the 50's as we walked 3 miles to visit such sites as the Cradle of Liberty, Faneuil Hall (circa 1742), where Sam Adams, James Otis and others spoke encouraging independence from England.  We also were thrilled to walk the bridge over the Charles River to Bunker Hill and visit the Old North Church and the old graveyard where Paul Revere and other patriots are buried. 

In the afternoon, we visited Harvard University and took a student-guided tour to learn about life as an undergraduate and were lucky enough to participate in the "quintessential" experience of dining at the perfect pizza restaurant, Pinocchio's.   We were told that this place has the best pasta in the Boston area and we had to agree.  The next day we boarded our flight to Punta Gorda.  Great vacation!

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Visiting Amy & George at Faith Valley Farm, Jefferson, NH

After attending the wonderful Cape Cod Wedding, we drove approx 4-1/2 hours north to Jefferson, New Hampshire to visit our dear friends, Amy & George.  What gorgeous countryside!


They purchased a 160 acre farm near the White Mountains (only about 45 miles from the Canadian border) with Amy's daughter, Claudia, and son-in-law, Bob.  They told us that it was done as "an act of faith" that they could afford the place and the renovations needed to make it a working income-producing farm - hence, the name "Faith Valley Farm."  They hope to make hay a "cash crop" and Amy is also doing organic vegetable farming and hopes to sell her produce  with the help of a local farm co-op.


We had a wonderful time touring the local area and checked out the historic Cog Railroad and drove the scenic "Kanc" highway.  Amy is quite the cook - she treated us to wonderful homecooked meals and her yummy pancakes were just exceptional - probably the best we've ever eaten!


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Photos

Summer Wedding on Naushon Island

Joanne's brother's son, Brian married Zoe,  member of  a Forbes family that traces its roots back to sixth century Scotland.  The family trust owns Naushon Island, the wedding site, near Woods Hole.  We were invited!

Years ago,  Joanne, known as the Squid Lady then, worked at the Marine Biomedical Institute, UTMB, for Roger Hanlon.  They were young, spirited and hard working. Roger moved on to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Joanne moved on to management positions at UTMB. We saw Roger on CNN and also noted an article he authored in National Geographic in the last few years - but had not visited since he left Galveston. So we arranged to visit Roger during our trip.

Roger has come a long way since he and his family inhabited Fish Village on Galveston Island!  He treated us to dinner at an "off the beaten path" restaurant down Sippewisset Road.  (I love these Indian place names - here is another one: Mashpee), and tours of his house and lab.   Click these links to learn about Roger's research and view a Cuttle fish video.

We rode the private ferry from Woods Hole to attend a barbeque on Friday aftenoon on Naushon Island.
The island is all woodlands and pastures surrounded stone and wood rail fences.  The ferry docks in
Hadley Harbor.  I learned that the moorings are free when not in use by a family member and that the harbor is filled with a hundred or so boats in the summer. I guess June is not yet summer in New England! 

The McDermott clan rented a house on the water in East Falmouth, another beautiful location for our stay.

The wedding happened on the grounds of the Stone House on Naushon Island on Saturday afternoon. After dinner and dancing we all, including Marie, walked down the rural road with Al leading the way with a lantern for the ferry ride back to Woods Hole.

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Chartering a Catamaran in BELIZE

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Richard and I were lucky enough to charter a catamaran with our Texas Boating Buddies of TMCA (Texas Mariner's Cruising Association) to the beautiful Central American country of BELIZE.  Check out our photos by double-clicking "Belize Photos" just above this post.


It was a quick 2 hour flight direct from Houston and before we knew it, we landed in Belize City to catch a tiny little plane north to San Pedro (only 15 minute flight!)  We chartered with TMM charters and took possession of a large catamaran.  John Allison was the expert captain and he brought along his son, Chris, because his wife, Peggy, was recouperating from chemo.  The rest of the crew were Patrice & Lee (who accompanied us to Croatia just a few years ago) and Jack Odam.  There were 4 more TMCA couples on another catamaran, who sailed with us.  We had a great bunch of people and traveled together to wonderful anchorages. 


We enjoyed snorkeling especially at Tobacco Key and saw hundreds of gorgeous colored fish and eagle rays.  Jack cooked us great meals aboard and we also enjoyed some of the local cuisine - curry shrimp and grilled fish with lots of mashed potatoes and cabbage (cole slaw like) veggies. Yum!


Towards the end of the week, the weather turned rainy - but the week flew by and before we knew, we were saying our goodbyes.  All in all, another terrific charter with good friends and great times.