It’s been a little over two weeks since we returned from Boston, our routine here in South Carolina now firmly settled once again. Walks in the morning next to the now harvested cotton fields, trips to the library to get some work done on websites that I manage, bike rides for Bob and evening meals with family. We could really get used to this. After not been “settled” for quite a while, it has been nice to sink our roots in a little.

The weather has changed. Gone are the hot and humid - sit out by the pool all afternoon days, they have been replaced with the crisp cool temps of fall, with a scattered thunderstorm every few days.

The two weeks in the Boston area were more than we could have hoped. The only thing that wasn’t in our favor was the cold and sometimes rainy weather that we experienced. It didn’t put a damper on our spirits though and our visit with my Aunt Sue was truly wonderful.

Her beautiful home sits on a corner just a short block from Duxbury Bay in one direction, and a park dedicated to Miles Standish’s first settlement in the other. The area is filled with history and we wandered through the towns of Duxbury and Plymouth viewing areas of not only Revolutionary times, but more important to me, the areas were my father grew up. This was the history that I was looking for. As my Dads younger sister, my Aunt Sue has always been my “go to” for family information.

This was the first time that Bob had been to the area, so she told him many stories of Dads adolescence and summers on the bay. I just sat in the backseat and closed my eyes…traveling back through the years long ago.

A few days later we ventured through the hell known as “Boston Traffic” and made our way to the Beacon Hill area where we had rented an AirBnB for a few days. Our good friends Melissa and Tim from Susanville were arriving at the airport that night. A great location, it allowed us to hop on the train to go into the historic areas the next day.

We ate and drank our way through Boston. Placing our feet on the red brick route of the Freedom Trail , we set off for our first stop, Faneuil Hall. Next stop - Quincy Market where it was time for Mel and Tim to get their first “lobstah” roll and some hot and hearty New England Clam Chowder. We ventured off the path for cannolis at Mike’s Pastry, and then it was on to Paul Revere’s House, Christ Church, Copp’s Burying Ground and over the bridge to see Old Ironsides’ herself, The USS Constitution. What a great day, and although chilly, the sun was out and the skies were crisp. The Northern section did not disappoint for a fabulous Italian dinner either.

WE ALL LOVE CANNOLIS

Of course we had to do the taste test between Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry. Located a couple short blocks from each other on Hanover Street in the North End, we started with Mike’s in the morning with some coffee. Had Modern Pastry after dinner, and then went BACK to Mike’s for a follow up taste test another day. No follow up was really needed, we ALL agreed, MIKE’S PASTRY was the bomb!! Even found out that they ship anywhere!! They send the cannoli shells separate from the cream and extra toppings. Christmas treats anyone????

Next up on our “must do” list was a visit with our good friend Jayne who lived in Connecticut. Stationed together in Hawaii FORTY YEARS AGO, we had seen each other only once since we left there. What a kick!!!! How does it happen that all that time can go by, but you feel like it has only been weeks? We have had children, and now grandchildren! We reminisced about the days in Hawaii and the times that only your 22-25 year old self can have. Memories flooded back as we looked through photo albums and recalled long ago times upon the shores of Upolu Point, the Coast Guard station where we lived. I wish we would have had more time with her and as Bob says “there is always next year”, but hoping we can get her to come and visit us out west.

Thanks to Aunt Sue’s loving hospitality, we returned to her house with Mel and Tim and used it for the jumping off point to see parts of Cape Cod. We spent our days wandering around Duxbury and the Cape, making sure that Melissa and Tim had their fill of seafood, a huge part of their “New England Bucket List”. Fall color was just starting, we were a couple weeks early for peak, but it was still beautiful and we took the opportunity to visit a few garden centers too. Well OF COURSE we did, we are Garden Girls after all. We even shot a few videos for her YouTube channel.

The parting was hard, always is. Not just with Aunt Sue as we left Duxbury to head back to Boston, but with Mel and Tim when we boarded separate planes to head home.

Next up, the excitement of a full on HENDERSON SIBLING REUNION! Bob’s younger brother, Ralph, arrived for a week in South Carolina last Saturday, and SARA will be here tomorrow. With Cash and Carson in tow, you can say we are very HAPPY people!!! Only one missing for a true happy day is Travis, but the Navy had other plans for him this week :{

As much as we love exploring new vistas, National Parks and trails …Family and friends - it’s the best reason to travel.