Sunday, June 2, 2024

Cape Cod Trip - Day 2

I woke up (at my dad's) at 0530 this morning and did some reading (waiting for Dad/Beth to get up).  Eventually, I headed downstairs to get ready for the day.  By 0700, we all left the house so we could have breakfast at the Daniel Webster Inn.  The weather was wonderful (sunny and pleasant)!  We arrived before the restaurant opened so then backtracked to the house.  Not wanting to waste a minute of my visit, I guess, my dad insisted on taking us (by way of the new Sandwich Boardwalk on the north side beach) across the Cape Cod Canal so Beth could get a drink at the McDonalds.  After that, we drove north along Cape Cod Bay until we found my dad's "favorite view point".  Heading back to the house, we parked at the Daniel Webster Inn and ended up having a delicious breakfast in the dining room between 0815 and 0915.  It had been quite a while since I'd eaten there and it lived up to my memories.  Afterwards, my dad drove me back to his house (we could have walked...) and I packed up my car.  I'd promised Gerard I'd stop by to see him before I left the area and I had an easy drive (via US-6 and MA-3) to Plymouth.  I arrived at his house just before 1000 and we visited during the next few hours.  Most of that time, we talked about my upcoming European cruise - he had a lot of ideas and suggestions to share with me!  It was good to spend time with Gerard, since he hasn't been well.  At about 1315, I said goodbye and drove west (through Carver and some big cranberry bogs).  Along the way, I talked to Mollie and Brenna.  Eventually, I was on MA-58 and used it drive almost all the way to "Hanover South".  There were some pretty lakes in Halifax and I wanted to stop for a paddle.  Unfortunately, I was nearly out of time by that point and needed to be at my sister's (Katie's) house by 1400.  I arrived just in time and joined my nephew's (Johnny's) graduation party.  There were a lot of friends and relatives there and the food was really good.  The weather continued being very nice and I would loved to have stayed for the rest of the afternoon.  However, I knew there would be traffic heading north through Boston and that it would probably get worse as it got later.  Reluctantly, I said goodbye to everyone and made my way back towards MA-3.  On the way, I stopped in Hingham to cash in a scratch ticket I'd gotten at my dad's birthday party in March (the store was located on the shore of Accord Lake).  After getting on the highway, I immediately encountered a lot of traffic.  However, it only lasted until I reached Quincy.  Beyond that point, things were pretty smooth through the city and almost all the way to the New Hampshire border.  I passed the time listening to audiobooks.  There one close call of getting stuck, though: I was fortunate to see a rapidly developing accident situation north of my position just as I was passing an exit.  Quickly reacting, I managed to drive around it (just one exit) on surface streets - by the time I was back on I-93, I found that I had the northbound lanes completely to myself!  This allowed me to make it through Manchester just fine - whew...  I exited the Interstate on NH-3A, like normal (I'd considered using the toll lanes but figured I'd take the leisurely route) and made it to I-89 just after 1800.  From there, I made really good time all the way home, arriving at my condo before 1915 - I took my kayak off the roof (because I had to get the car inspected in the morning) and then unpacked.  It felt good to arrive home before sunset - I actually had time to decompress before bed.  Great trip!