We decided to travel to Boston where Brian's cousin Kellee, was having a surprise 30th birthday party for her husband, Scott. It was a beautiful weekend, the weather perfect - and it was great seeing Kellee and Scott as the last time we saw them was before McKinley was born.
We stayed in Cambridge. What a beautiful place to stay and so close to a million things we wanted to see. As the party was early on Saturday, there wasn't much time to see a lot, but we managed to do a few things. We went to Quincy Market and Fanueil Hall and the NE Aquarium.
We walked through the "Big Dig", with its ground fountain - Emma wanted to run through it like mad, but on to the next adventure!
We ran back to the hotel to change and had the kids lay down for a little while. Emma sat down and 3 minutes later was out - along with her brother beside her. Ok, we traveled out for the party and the kids are going to sleep right through it! So, I stayed at the hotel and watched the little cherubs sleeping. They finally woke at 6 PM, 3 hours into the party and just in time for cake. What could be better for a 4 yr. old than birthday cake? Of course, we had a fantastic time and the kids had a blast and didn't want to go home.
The next morning, Father's Day, we headed down to Rhode Island, where I had spent summers with my Grandparents. I was so excited to visit where there are so many memories. Of trips to the beach, to visits to Uncle Roll (pronounced Raul - short for Rolland). To visit with our aunts and uncles and the fun it was just to listen to their stories and wish that I was there beside them having fun, instead of hearing about it. To all the little trips, day in and out, even if it was just to the grocery store. To Grandma's tuna salad mixed with sweet relish and diet rite soda. To walking the rocks to get to the lighthouse. To Aunt Carrie's and clam cakes.
My husband had heard stories about Rhode Island for years, but driving there now, I got nervous, wondering if he would like it as much as I. I had contacted Aunt Pat and Uncle Bud who live about an hour from where Grandma had lived and they would be meeting us at Aunt Carrie's for lunch.
It was all that I remembered and so much more. It was bittersweet to see all the places that I had gone to as a child, and I found that while I was sad that we couldn't stay at Grandma's (Grandma had sold the place and had moved to Florida roughly 11 years ago) I was thrilled to share my memories and hear Pat and Bud's stories of their memories and knowledge of the area.
Let me take you back to where Grandma lived, and what I woke up to each morning. Grandma's house was located across the road from the ocean, it was a rocky beach, and the view from Grandma's living room and front yard was of the ocean. The lighthouse is a mile down the road and as soon as you got to the beach, the Jamieson rule was that you had to walk the rocks as an initiation. When it was foggy, I woke to the sound of the foghorn of the lighthouse. To just spend time with Grandma.
Right around the corner was Aunt Carrie's, the home of the best clam cakes anywhere. You didn't go to Grandma's house without stopping there at least once during the summer. As I was looking at places to go with Brian, I found a place that discussed all things in South County, Rhode Island - and it mentioned Aunt Carrie's. Well, it stated how they couldn't believe they had to wait in line for over an hour for clam cakes or just for a spot to eat. I smiled, yep, this was the place that you went to after a long day at the beach and sight seeing to get a bite to eat. This was the only place that had a line out to the parking lot on most days. I told my husband the day we left that we needed to stop for clam cakes - I told him that we needed to get there early so we wouldn't be waiting long. He gave me a funny look, but when we got there a 1/2 hour early and found cars in the parking lot just waiting - I looked at him and said, "get out of the car and stand at the door." He said "We're fine, there's plenty of time." By the time he stood at the door, everyone was getting out of their cars to get in, there were atleast 20 cars just waiting for them to open.
Well, for all my worries, Brian loved it! We went to the rocky beach and walked to Grandma's house. Pat and Bud shared their stories and enthralled Emma with walking on the rocky beach and throwing stones. It ended up being cold and rainy, but we headed to the beach and the lighthouse and to Galilee, where the fishermen bring in their catch. We drove along old Ocean Road towards Narragansett and Scarborough Beach. By the time we left Monday morning, my husband was full of stories and calling people to get a trip planned for next year. So if you get a call, get your beach gear ready for a weeklong trip next year!
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