It will be a week tomorrow since we returned from our vacation. This latest trip to the USA was one of the best we've had so far. It was fun for us to witness Chris's first visit to the USA other than his quick trip to NYC which was nearly 5 years ago now. He just absolutely loved it just as much as we do. The first evening we were there we stayed at a Hampton Inn (very nice) which was opposite a Walmart and just along the road to a Wendys, so by the time we went to bed that night Chris was on complete overload!!
Our visit to friends in Skaneateles was good fun too. They have 4 children, aged from 10 to 23 and the only girl Natalie is 14 and her and Chris just hit it off really well, teasing each other etc. I knew they would get on well as they are very much alike. By the time we left they decided they are going to be brother and sister! Our friend Bob's birthday was on the Tuesday and mine on the Thursday, so we had a double celebration with a cook-out on Wednesday with all the family. It felt great to be part of a family celebration and it helped me to be positive about my birthday, being the first one since we lost Mum. The last time I ever spoke to her was when Maureen and Chris managed to get her on the phone to me from her hospital bed on my birthday last year when I was in Skaneateles, so I was able to sit by the lake and for a while and feel at peace with her.
We had a long drive back towards Massachusetts on Friday, choosing to come off the I-90 and take some of the minor roads and stopped off at Saratoga Springs. Unfortunately Chris had caught a cold by this time, so he didn't feel like doing too much walking around.
Saturday we headed down to Cape Cod via Wrentham shopping. Chris was still a bit under the weather so we didn't stay too long but he did manage to raid the Oakley outlet store, buying 5 items (tee shirts, jacket and sweat shirt) for $80 so he was happy. We stayed at the Seacoast Inn in Hyannis, where we've stayed before, the owners are such lovely people and greeted us like old friends. At the last minute we added a separate room for Chris rather than share with us and they only charged us $48 a night! It's one of the cleanest places I've ever stayed in and very central for the harbour and Main Street. Sunday we drove down to Falmouth and Woods Hole and had lunch there.
Monday we headed back to Boton via Plymouth. This was the anniversary of Mum's passing and once again I was in the same place that I was last year when I heard the news. When I booked this trip I really didn't arrange it on purpose so we were in the same places, but it was fine and I felt very much in touch with her during this time.
Tuesday, we all went out for the day - up to Kennebunkport in Maine. By now I'd caught the cold but didn't let it stop me doing what I wanted to do. We had a great day in Boston on Wednesday, doing the Duck Tour and Quincy Market. Again Chris had the time of his life. Wednesday evening we headed to the Hampton Inn at Logan Airport and returned our car to Avis. We were up at about 4.45 am to get ready for our flight home.
It all went far too quickly, but it was a great family holiday and we now have some great shared memories.