New Hampshire and Boston

Friday, 08/05/2022

Today we will say goodbye to Gary and Tamar. We had a very nice time together. They will take us to Newark Airport, New York. We are heading straight to the check-in counter. The line is once again endlessly long. Luckily, we arrived early. After a while in the line, which hasn't moved an inch, an airport staff member comes and asks the passengers if they want to check-in or rebook. Many flights had been canceled. She takes us to another counter and within 10 minutes we got our boarding passes and checked in our luggage. The security check was also very fast. Now we have some waiting time at the gate. Then we boarded the plane. After everyone had boarded, an announcement came that we have to wait for the pilot, who is in line at the security check. With a 20-minute delay, the plane leaves the gate and drives onto the runway. But after a short distance, it stops again. Through the announcement we find out that we can't take off. Boston Airport has been closed due to a severe thunderstorm. So back to the gate, whoever wants can get off. Of course, we do. Hardly out, we are already told to get back on, we can take off. The pilot informs us that the flight, which only lasts 45 minutes, can be a bit rough. After more than 3 hours, we finally land in Boston. We had been in contact with Ryan the whole time, he wanted to pick us up at the airport and was already on his way. Finally arrived in Boston. We are very nicely received by Ryan, he has brought drinks and snacks for us. The drive on the highway to Salem takes about an hour. Abbey is already waiting with dinner and a drink. We are relieved to finally have arrived.

Saturday, 08/06/2022

Today a trip to the mountains of New Hampshire is planned for the weekend. After breakfast, we set off. Abbey and Ryan are already looking forward to showing us the area. At the first stop, we take a hike to the Flume Gorge. Abbey booked the tickets in advance. Because it's the weekend, it's often very crowded and the passage is very narrow. A very nice hike along the water, then through the gorge and back through the forest with small waterfalls. After a small snack, we continue to our Huttopia Clamping cabin in the White Mountains. We move in, it's very hot, so we first explore the pool and then the lake. In the evening, a table is reserved at a very nice restaurant. We enjoy the evening with good food and a bottle of wine.

Sunday, 08/07/2022

Today we just want to relax. After a late breakfast, we decide to go swimming in the lake. There is a small beach here. The water is pleasantly cool and refreshing. In the afternoon, clouds are gathering and within 30 minutes it starts raining heavily. Since we are already wet anyway, we just sit on the beach. There is no one else here except us. It seems to be raining in, so we dare to walk back to the cabin. In the evening, we play Rummy together in the cabin and enjoy the time together. We have a lot to talk about.

Monday, 08/08/2022

Departure, we pack up and continue through the White Mountains to the Omni Mount Washington Resort Hotel. Abbey and Ryan got engaged here. We enjoy an excellent lunch on the terrace overlooking Mt. Washington, which is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 1917 meters. On the way back, we make a short stop at an outlet center, which are very popular here. After a nice weekend, we spend the evening at home. The next morning we want to leave early and take the train to Boston.

Tuesday, 08/09/2022

Ryan takes us to the train station in Haverhill, from here we can reach the center in an hour by train. We buy the tickets from the conductor. Once in Boston, we decide to walk the Freedom Trail. It is marked similar to the Red Thread in Hanover and you can explore all the sights. The temperature rises to over 35 degrees Celsius, about 95 degrees Fahrenheit, around lunchtime. We take a lunch break at Faneuil Hall. There are several market halls with very delicious food. Now we continue towards Paul Revere House and Monument and to the Old North Church. Paul Revere was a news courier for the Boston patriots at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. Together with two other riders, he made the famous midnight ride from Boston to Lexington and Concord on April 18, 1775, to warn the inhabitants of the approaching British troops. This made him a national hero. In the afternoon, it starts raining and it becomes very humid. We decide to go back and this time we get the tickets at the counter at the train station. Finally on the train, it doesn't leave at the scheduled time. Through the announcement, we find out that there are problems with the machine and they are waiting for a technician. After about half an hour, the train starts moving, but very slowly and it shakes and rattles. In between, it has to stop again and again. The whole thing seems very adventurous to us. It takes us over 2 hours for the return journey. Abbey picks us up at the train station. We spend the last evening after a very nice dinner in the restaurant of a winery at Abbey and Ryan's home and play Skip-Bo.

Wednesday, 08/10/2022

Today we are flying back home. First, we pack, somehow the suitcase has gotten smaller. Then we go with Abbey to Charlestown Navy Yard, where the USS Constitution is located, a wooden frigate from 1797. It is the oldest still seaworthy ship from that time in the world. Its nickname Old Ironsides goes back to the battle with the British frigate Guerriere in 1812, because it is said that projectiles from this ship bounced off the strong sides of the Constitution. Quite impressive. We also visit the museum. After a joint lunch, it is time to say goodbye.

We are on our way home.