Monday, January 1, 2024

Cape Cod Trip - Day 2

Today, I participated in a New Year’s Day Boston tradition that I learned about when I was last in the city: the Thompson Island Boat Trip!  My morning began on Cape Cod (after a good sleep) at 0630.  Starting off the day, I read, did Duolingo and then got ready.  After that, I went downstairs and Dad made me breakfast.  I got to say goodbye to Beth and the dogs before I left (0800) and then drove north on US-6 and MA-3 (listening to audiobooks).  There was almost no traffic at all so I made it to Boston just after 0900.  Initially, I drove around near the New England Aquarium, hoping to find a parking space (free meters on the holiday).  I found one on Broad Street (close to Coogan's Pub and The Dagney).  Before leaving the car, I did some more reading and Duolingo.  After that, I headed out for a walk nearby.  To be certain, I verified that parking was free with (with Dagney concierge.  Next, I walked to the nearby Panera (where I'd eaten a few times in early December). and ordered lunch (1010).  After my meal, I continued walking down to the waterfront to look for the ferryboat I'd be using later in the day.  I'd thought it would be located near the Aquarium but eventually realized it was farther south near Boston Harbor Hotel.  I found the ticket booth at 60 Rowes Wharf and, fortunately, talked to a guy there who was able to answer all of my questions.  He recommended that I purchase a ticket online for the excursion and I did this (1025).  Heading back towards my car, I spent the next hour walking around on the streets nearby.  Along the way, I found the Black Rose, Quincy Market, the first house in Boston and other restaurants.  It felt good to improve my bearings in the South End :-).  At 1130, I headed back to Rowes Wharf and got in line for the ferry ride.  This morning had already featured some excellent weather - cloudless and temps in the mid 30s - and it only improved by the time I boarded the MV “Freedom”.  At noon, we left the pier and traveled for about 30 minutes to the landing at Thompson Island, which is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.  It is also privately owned and hosts an Outward Bound adventure course.  The island is rarely open to the public but has hosted this January 1 event for the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands since 1980.  What a treat to be able to roam around there!  This afternoon, there was barely any wind so the cooler temps had less of an effect on me the longer I walked.  I managed to do an almost complete clockwise circuit of the whole island (5ish miles) but did have to backtrack a few times because the tide was starting to come in when we landed.  I saw lots of animal tracks, ate a nice picnic lunch, followed a pair of Great Horned Owls through the woods, climbed some sandy “drumlins” and enjoyed a nearly 270 degree panorama of the Boston skyline.  There were also pretty vistas of several of the other harbor islands,  Squantum and Hull.  There was also a lot of interesting trash and some crazy erosion effects.  I walked for almost two hours and really enjoyed myself.  With the sun low in the sky, my phone’s camera also caught some interesting effects. A couple of whistle blasts from “Freedom” warned us not to miss the 1530 departure time and then we headed back towards the South End.  As I stood on the bow of the ferry, I had a flashback image of my entry into Boston Harbor on the bow of USS “Kidd” (back in the summer of 1990).  Just like on that day, this felt like coming “home.”  We reached Rowes Wharf just after 1600.  After we were back on land, I quickly walked back to my car and was on the road (surface streets to I-93) by 1620.  I made good time as I drove north because there was very little traffic.  However, I still encountered some crazy drivers.  On the way, I talked to Brenna and then listened to more audiobooks.  After driving through Hooksett on NH-3A, I got on I-89 - from there, made excellent time (almost no traffic).  I arrived home at 1820 and unloaded my car.  The cruise was a great way to start off 2024 - Happy New Year, everyone!