AN-124 @ LNK

When I got back to Lincoln, this behemoth was parked on the ramp next to the airline terminal. It's a Russian AN-124 cargo plane getting gas on its way back over the pole to Russia. The airport cop said they've been stopping off one a week at out 11,000 ft runway. Wonder what they're carrying back home?

Lake St. Clair

Flying home, I went through Detroit Rock City. I was amazed at how blue-green the water was in Lake St. Clair. The channel coming out of Lake Huron looked almost tropical. I wish everyone could know/remember how bad the lakes and oceans were in the 70s when I was a kid. Growing up in a small town south of Flint, MI, I remember movies of the great lakes where the water was a puke-purple-red. When we moved to FL in the early 80s, Sarasota Bay was olive green and devoid of fish. Now (before the 2018 red tide, anyway) it's clear and full of fish (but due to Gov. Scott's policies, the red tide totally wiped out marine life on the west coast this summer).

Above is the west coast of FL before and during the 2018 red tide. The environment isn't just what it is due to forces of nature - it's what we humans make it. Get out and vote. 

Boston VIII

On Monday, we hit the USS Constitution only to find that it's closed on Mondays. No problem, there was a destroyer and museum there that were open. After that, we hit Legal Oyteria for some Chowda for lunch. After that, we parted ways - JP & the boys continued the Boston experience, and I headed out on a trail to Ashland, MA, for a week of dealer meetings for work.

As we walked around on the destroyer, it really sank home what it must have been like for the kids that lived on her through the battles of the Pacific. I can't imagine what it was like with all the guns blazing in the heat of the South Pacific sun and to take a direct kamikaze hit. (This ship took three kamikaze hits in her life.)

It was really cool to see the drydock where the Constitution was overhauled.

The Boston Aquarium paid tribute to H.P. Lovecraft with their own mini-Cthulu-in-a-tank.

JP & the boys got a nice view of Manhattan on their way back to Nebraska.

Boston VII - Gorillaz & Roommates

When we booked the trip, I had no idea about this, but we soon learned that GP's favorite band of all time was playing in Boston while we were there. How could we go across country and not see them? The boys took the subway to TD Garden and had the time of their lives at the show.

JP & I had a quieter evening. Two days before we left from NE, one of JP's college roommates connected with her and soon after that JP was able to connect with all of her other roommates. One of them lives in suburban Boston, and we were able to meet her for dinner & beers downtown. 

Boston DCLXVI - Salem

On day 2, we took the T up to Salem. Wow!!! What a fun place. Being in October, on a weekend, it was a madhouse tourist city, but we had a blast checking out the historical sites. Above is a solid brass Standard Yard" at the customs house where Nathaniel Hawthorne worked as a customs agent.

We scored an awesome lunch at an oyster bar next to the Salem Shipyard. More Chowda!!!

We hit the House of the 7 Gables under an unbelievable blue sky.

This is the House Across the Street From the House of the 7 Gables.

Freedom Trail V - Little Italy

The Freedom Trail took us straight through Little Italy right at dinner time. Imagine that!!

We all tried something adventurous. I had some sort of Italian meat pie. GP had bolognese.

JP had some sort of seafood medly.

And CP ate his heart out with a lobsta pasta dish. It was a good thing we had a two mile hike back to the hotel!

Boston IV - Freedom Trail - Holocaust Memorial

With all the stupid shit unfolding in Washington, the Holocaust Memorials across the country hold even more value. They demand: "What are you going to do about this?"

What are you going to do? Just sit around and not worry about it because killing a journalist doesn't impact you directly?

Boston III - Freedom Trail Part 2

The thing I didn't realize about the Freedom Trail is that it's a physical trail with red bricks in the sidewalk and huge bronze markers that show points of interest. Very cool!

One of the coolest spots was the Granary Burial Ground. Lots of old tombs from a long time ago in downtown Boston.

Boston II - Freedom Trail Part 1

Immediately upon arrival, we hit the Freedom Trail. It started a few blocks from our hotel, and JP had done her homework, so we hit the ground running. The old State House is at the top of Beacon Hill.

Also at the top of Beacon Hill, next to the State House, is an ancient pub called The 21st Amendment. We stopped in for a few bowls of Chowda to ward off the Hangries.

The chowda & wings worked wonderfully.

Boston!

Through a combo of good karma, lots of traveling (Delta Skymiles & Hilton points), and a wanderlust, we did a family trip to Boston.

 

GP scored the upgrade to 1st Class from Omaha to New York. Note the boarding time. It was a long day...

JP & CP got the sleeper section.

Dorm Dog

CP comes home on Sundays for laundry and a home-cooked meal.

JP thought it would be fun to sneak S into the dorm when we took CP back to school. While S didn't seem to mind,CP did; he was not amused.

Mousefeeder

When we saw this little guy on our birdfeeder, it all became clear how the mice we've been plagued with are getting their food. The birdfeeder is now out at the back fence. We love the goldfinches, but not at the expense of having mice in the house.

Car vs. Maple: Maple is Victorious

I was napping on the sofa on a Sunday afternoon when I was thrown awake; I thought S had jumped on my chest. I got up and went to the garage to throw out some recycling and then I noticed a bunch of people standing across the street with a car that wasn't where a car should be.

A girl rounded the corner and was going too fast or not paying attention and failed to stay on the road. Judging from where she left the road and how high up on the tree she hit and how far the broken pieces of her car went, she was probably going 40 mph. She was wearing her seatbelt and her airbag went off, so she was OK (lucky, too!). What I thought was the dog jumping on me was really a tremendous crash.

Since we've been here, this is the third car vs tree accident on this corner in addition to as many car vs. mailboxes plus our lamppost. 

Couch Potatoes

S has figured out that sleeping on the sofa is an OK thing to do with any of us, even W, the cat.

It's hard to believe that he ever slows down to the point of sleeping, but between his manic awake times, he's always good for a nap.

Honored Again

GP hit the honor roll again @ LSW. This time he got his academic letter. 

Stripes on Lion

Last weekend, GP played at Duffy's with his new band, Stripes on Lion. They sounded pretty good!