The second day in Maine we stopped at a lighthouse, this wasn’t that interesting at all. Then we drove along the coast to the next town. Here we stopped at the marina, and talked to some old fishermen. We bought 4 lobsters and 4 crab claws for $20. Then I went on another hike. This was much better than the pond hike. I hiked up flying mtn., and st. sauveur mtn. these had some amazing views. At the top I met a guy walking his dog, rand. He is about my age and lives in the area. He told me about a few good trails in the area, I just wish I had time to check some of them out. I hiked down with him to my car and gave him a ride to his car. This hike took longer than I thought so night was getting close. Then we drove around some parts of the island until it was dark. We picked up some blueberry beer from a local brewery and stopped at goodwill. We needed a pot big enough for the lobsters. Then it was off to Boston. When we got there we tried to cook the lobster, but I discovered a hole in the tank for the stove. Then rob decided that the trip wasn’t for him, and flew home. I wanted him to stay but there was no changing his mind.
This was the first day in Boston and I was excited. I slept near Harvard, so in the morning I went over there and saw the natural history museum. I really liked this; it wasn’t a huge museum, very to the point. Then I headed downtown. I was an idiot and tried to go into a parking structure, this doesn’t work with a car top carrier. So after breaking that I just paid for parking in a parking lot. I walked over to the Boston common, a park in the middle of the city. This is where the freedom trail started. I got on a guided tour for the first half. The tour guide was great and joked around a lot. She explained a lot about the history of everything. After the guided tour ended I continued walking on the trail. It was very cold and windy out. I walked over to Paul revere’s house, and the old north church. After that it was getting to late to see the rest. I went and bought another small camp stove, then it time for some fun. I walked to the Bell in Hand Tavern, the oldest tavern in America. I had 2 beers here and met a nice guy from Seattle. Then I went over to the union oyster house, I had to try some oysters before leaving. I had a beer and half dozen oysters. They were pretty good, they just taste salty. There were a few couples from Philadelphia who were on vacation. They were very interested in the trip, and that I never had oysters before. They were very kind and picked up my bill before they left. Very nice people. After that another couple sat next to me. They were at the first bar but I didn’t talk to them there, so we started talking and they actually got me a hotel for night. This is the nicest thing that has happened to me on all my travels. Cameron and Marylyn, he travels for work and had a lot of hotel points to use. I’m still very grateful for that. At the oyster house they have a mini freedom trail. Someone put together a little scene for each stop. Next I drove over to the Institute of Contemporary Art; the visitor center told me that this was free after 5pm. I found free parking a few blocks away. A lot of strange things here, I took 1 picture then they told me no pictures. I took a lap and saw what there was. On the way here I walked past a fun looking bar. So I stopped in, I asked for a local beer and the one I got wasn’t very good. There was an older guy next to me and he noticed I didn’t like the beer. We started talking for awhile. He was waiting on a friend who was caught in traffic. He bought me this finest whiskey I have ever tasted. He also picked up the other 2 beers I drank. He has a son who managed a bar right on Harvard’s campus he gave me his info and it would be fun to get a drink there. When his friend came they went out for dinner. The guy next to me, Will was here for work, there is a wine expo that is a part of. We joked around for awhile he told me to get a hold of him and come to the expo. He had to go and I talked to very nice lady for awhile after that. Then I walked back to my car. I realized I drank too much so I was going to grab a few things then get a cab to the hotel. But I guess the Boston police have a really good way to prevent drunk driving, they just tow your car. So my car was gone. I got a cab to the hotel and it felt great to be in a bed.
In the morning I took a great, much needed, shower. They had breakfast here which is always a plus in my book. My phone was also dead, so I asked the receptionist about my car. I had to call the police to find out who towed it, and to where. Then get a cab over there and pick it up. It could have turned out worst and didn’t take up to much time. I also realized how screwed I would have been without that hotel. It was after 1 in the morning; I was drunk and would have had no place to stay. After that was taken care of I went to a sheet metal place, they bent a piece of metal that I could use for the car top carrier, and I could at lease cover up the hole. This worked surprisingly well. Then I tried to cook the lobster again. I went to a park and set up the stove. After about 30 minutes the water still wasn’t boiling, it was just too cold out. So I gave up on that and took the lobster to a restaurant, the independent, and they were nice enough to cook them up for me. Then it was nap time, I didn’t want to waist the day away like that but I don’t really have any time line at all. Then I typed this up, probably going to just take it easy tonight.
