The DC-NY-MA road-trip was a fun time. Five people and two dogs in a conversion van -- luggage stacked floor to near ceiling behind the rear seat. Not the Griswold family but close.
My main job was hang’n-out with Fred and Rocky while everyone else went sightseeing-- kewl -- call me happy Joe.
In DC, the view from Bridget’s Apt over-looks much of the city. Bridg was a super tour guide. She knows DC well and showed us around. Bridget is a party person, like her momma, so knows all the fun places and restaurants. Britt and Dave visited several museums while Pat, the Dawgs and I ventured out on our own. I've been there a bunch of times, yet I still find D.C. impressive -- the monuments, the government buildings (Congress, Senate, Whitehouse, monuments, science and culture museums, etc.) awesome!
In NYC, Dave and Bridget went to the Letterman show -- it’s taped starting about 2PM for broadcast later that night. They really enjoyed the show. Meanwhile DW and Brittany drove around NYC for two or so hours sightseeing until picking up Bridg and Dave. As a teen, Britt was a “serious” Beatles fan and the previous time in NYC had to go to Central Park and see the Strawberry Fields memorial for John Lennon plus his house and the place where he was killed. However, she didn’t want to re-visit there on this trip. She and Pat did drive by 911 Ground-Zero. --- Please: pause for remembrance, respect and prayer ---
In MA, of course, Boston University, where Bridget spent her freshman year had to be visited in addition to the local attractions. Many good memories for Bridgie-Poo and us as well.
As Y’all know, I am a magnet for witches. Why? I don’t know. Therefore, I find the history and background of the Salem Witch trials to be especially fascinating.
A little background.
Despite being generally known as the "Salem" witch trials, the preliminary hearings in 1692 were conducted in a variety of towns across the province: Salem Village, Ipswich, Andover and Salem Town. The best-known trials were conducted by the Court of Oyer and Terminer in 1692 in Salem Town.
The events which led to the Witch Trials actually occurred in what is now the town of Danvers, then a parish of Salem Town, known as Salem Village.
In February, 1692, three accused women were examined by Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne. Corwin's home, known as the Witch House, still stands at the corner of North and Essex Streets in Salem.
By the time the hysteria had spent itself, 24 people had died. Nineteen were hanged on Gallows Hill in Salem Town, but some died in prison.
Upon our arrival in Salem, for unknown reasons to me, Pat covered her face with a scarf and took-on a low-profile demeanor. As she did so, a church bell rang for no apparent reason. The only other time that I’ve seen her act this way was during our previous visit to Salem when Bridget attended BU. As we walked, I said to Pat, we’ve been here before, let’s go to Danvers and visit “the real Salem”. With a weird hissing sound, SD said NOOOOOOOOOO!
I then noticed that Brittany’s eyes glowed a bright orange color, causing young children to scream and run. Dave looked worried and began to sweet profusely.
While walking near Bridget, a Nun became engulfed in a spontaneous fire, however fast-acting passers-by were able to extinguish it and saved her life.
What coincidences.
With all the planned destinations visited, we reversed the path and headed home. Got Bridget back to her Arlington VA Apt in time for her next GWU class. Then dropped-off Britt, Dave and Rocky at their home in Oak Park, IL. We had planned on spending the night in Chicago because the drive from Pittsburg was long but I talked Pat into finishing the 5 Hr drive to O’Fallon to get us home by Midnight. I told her that I’d drive but she ignored me and instead drove the entire way. Once home, she was tired but happy. However, I placed an Ad in the newspaper for a food taster, just in case.
