Wednesday rambling in Seattle

I was pretty tired last night - I was falling asleep as I ended the blog - way too tired to open up the pull out couch.  So I just pulled a blanket over me - of course we had the air conditioning cranked way up - and slept on the couch. I hadn't pulled the blinds on the patio doors so the lights of Seattle were the last things I saw before I fell asleep.

Woke up this morning about 6:30 but stayed on the couch till my alarm went off at 7. It is vacation after all - I feel like I should loll in bed for a while. Turned on the CBS Seattle affiliate to hear that rush hour traffic was a mess - tractor trailer rollover on route 5. Backups for 6 miles. Glad we aren't going to be driving today in that mess.

Weatherman predicting 80 degrees, sunny and humid. He said it is unusual to have high humidity in Seatlle. We must have brought it from Boston.  

Dan was awake as I poked around - watched some news - got my things for today together. Suddenly, Dan let out an ungodly scream and uttered a few frantic epithets. He had lost part of his blog that he had been working on for an hour. I could feel his pain. That has happened to me as well. I could only sympathize with him. But I still headed down for breakfast!

Breakfast was included with the room so we had decided to try it.  Scrambled eggs, red potato wedges, sausage and onion hash, turkey bacon, assortment of toast, muffins, bagels, cereals. The make your own waffle station was packed. I started with a bowl of oatmeal and some OJ. Dan made it down as I was eating a forkful of eggs and hash while reading on the TV that Diane Sawyer is out - David Muir is in. I was touched when Dan brought me a waffle with blueberries and strawberries. He had the same. I think mine was the practice one.

We went back to the room to apply sunscreen and pick up our knapsacks. Then we met Terry, our tour guide from Shutter Tours - http://www.shuttertours.com, out front. He had a 12 seater bus, and we were the first stop.  We picked up 8 other people and headed out to Snoqualmie Falls which is a miniature version of Niagara Falls. Terry explained to us that he had been a professional photographer for 10 or 12 years - had done magazine covers, a Globe Trek article on Thailand. He finally had to get out of the business when digital photography became popular - he explained that publishers could look on the internet and get pictures for free or very little. Big loss to photographers. Terry said he then worked in a bank until the big collapse - lost his job in 2012 but by that time he had a back up option - a tour company that he had developed. 

So we headed out of town to the falls. Snoqualmie Falls are a popular attraction here in Seattle. The force of the falls provide enough power for two plants to serve 85,000 people in the area.

Terry told us that the Snoqualmie people were moon worshipers - they believe that the man in the moon created the world and everything in it. They have a casino a short distance from the falls - they will provide door to door service to your hotel!! But the profits from the casino pays for college education for any of the Snoqualmie who chose to go.

This area is where filming for Twin Peaks took place. We drove through the small town used as the setting for Twin Peaks.

Terry was giving photography tips at each stop. He took this picture using Dan's camera.

Our next stop was to see a giant troll under the George Washington Memorial Bridge that once was the location for the homeless and discarded trash. A competition was held for ideas to upgrade this area under the bridge, and the Troll was the winner. It is surrounded by sand, and while we were there, kids were climbing all over it.

Fremont Troll

View of Dan from the Troll's left hand.

Our next stop was a chocolate factory - we weren't able to take a tour, but we sampled some of the chocolate. Unfortunately, it was all dark chocolate which might be good for you, but did not appeal to us. Give me milk chocolate any day!

I thought of JB and Amy when I heard that it was an organic and free trade roaster.

We headed to Ballard Locks and the salmon ladder.

The locks are how ships go from Puget Sound to the fresh waters of Union and Washington Lakes and vice versa.

Lock draining water so the sailboat can move into Puget sound.

I found the locks quite interesting because I had been through the locks in Lowell on a cruise through the canals to the Merrimac River. 

These white tubes are helping salmon into the fresh water going to Union and Washington lakes. They will lay their eggs there. Then the young salmon will return to the ocean. They eventually return to the fresh water to lay their eggs. They seek out the smell of the waters where they were born and return there. The salmon die shortly after laying their legs.

Dan at Ballard locks.

When Dan was young, we spent time at the Salmon Weir in Galway City when we were there a couple of summers. He and other kids loved watching the salmon jumping. Unfortunately, we didn't see too many salmon in Seattle. The fellow from the US Army Corps of Engineers told me that the fish are very slow this year - just starting to pick up now. But it was a beautiful sunny day, and we were on the water! What could be better!

Flowers along the walkways to the locks. 

Our last stop was Kerry Park in Seattle for a view of the city.

Space Needle on the left.

Lake Union - our Marriott Residence Inn was on Lake Union.

Dan's picture - he shot the Space Needle through the sculpture.

Terry pointed out a lot of the sights as we drove through Seattle. He told us that Seattle has the highest number of people who bike to work in the US despite all the hills. We saw people cycling, jogging and running. Outdoor sports are very popular.

Terry said that they have a well educated young work force - not sure if he was joking when he said that the long dark days in the winter were conducive to studying. He talked about the different start up companies that took advantage of the graduates. He said there are a lot of high tech companies that pay good wages so real estate is booming. There is a Seattle Big Dig taking place as well.

Terry said that they only have 8 days of snow yearly! He said that they don't have as much rain as people think, but they do have more cloudy days. So between short dark days in winter and the increased cloudy days, people who move to Seattle may suffer from seasonal affective disorder from the lack of sun.

The architecture was quite interesting as we traveled around. There were many small houses - no driveways. Trees, shrubs, flowers everywhere!! Even sidewalks had shrubs and flowers. Trees were everywhere - in parking lots, along highways, on overpasses, on roofs! Talk about a green city!! That is what I will remember - all the beautiful parks and the trees!!

Travels in the Pacific Northwest

Of course, I was absolutely delighted when Danno asked me to go to Seattle with him. I was able to get the time off from work on short notice. I started researching Seattle and the National Parks out here. Then work got busy, and I was working long hours overtime and wasn't able to do as much research as I normally would for a trip.

Mike drove me to Danno's apartment in Lowell last night. We had dinner and hit the hay early - 10 PM is very early for me.
John Brendan picked us up at 4:30 AM to drive us to Logan airport. Check-in went smoothly, we cleared security with a body scan and then a pat down. We boarded our Alaskan Airlines plane and took off promptly at 7:30 AM. Smaller plane with three seats and then three more across. Dan had the window seat. I was afraid I would be squashed in the middle, but the seats were comfortable and seemed to have a little more room than the last couple of flights I have taken.

The flight was 5 1/2 hours - longer than going to Ireland! We landed early - maybe 10:30 AM Seattle time.  There was no wait for the train to go to the baggage area - once there, our bags came right away. I minded the bags while Danno got the car rental paper work set. Then we got to choose the car that we wanted!  Dan picked a Toyota Camry. I'll never be able to go back to my Corolla now!

Dan is at the head of the line.

Since it was too early to check into the hotel, Dan drove to Pike's Place Market for a look around and a bite to eat. I was so surprised at all the hills in Seattle!! I thought I was in San Francisco!

I thought of JB when we passed a church with a sign about fair pay for workers. The Seattle City Council voted unanimously this month to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.  JB and Amy are working for an increase in Massachusetts' minimum wage.

We took a walk through the Market Place. Reminded me of the open air markets in old Dock Square in Boston - only much, much bigger with all kinds of stands with crafts, jewelry, clothing. The prices for fresh fruit were terrific - I told Dan that I would go back and buy some fruit tomorrow for our drive on Thursday. And I may send Johnny Murphy some smoked salmon. The fish markets had all kinds of fish - real fish!! Not like Shaw's or Stop 'n Shop at home. 

 Fresh Alaskan Halibut and fresh Alaskan Copper River Salmon.

The butcher stands had every kind of meat and every part of a cow and a pig! Plus all kinds of other animals!

Ferris Wheel from Pike's Place market.

The market was packed with people. The street through the market district was jammed with tourists and locals walking back and forth - the tourists trying to take pictures or poking along eating foods from the various shops. All the while cars were trying to get through at the same time - through the crowds who paid them no mind.

Dan on the corner of Pike's Place.

We were starving by this time as there was no food on the plane unless you wanted to buy it, and the offerings weren't appealing. 

Dan walked by a couple of places before heading into Maximilian's restaurant right in Pike's Place Market. We opted to sit outside where we had a view of Puget Sound. We watched ferries coming and going. Saw large and small planes passing overhead. It was cloudy and cool but the sun would break out occasionally. It was so relaxing.

View from the restaurant.

We both ordered the halibut with peas and spinach in a little cream sauce - $20. I ordered mine off the three course menu express for $25 because I wanted a salad. I was telling Dan how my mother would buy halibut on a Friday and bake it in milk with Ritz cracker crumbs and butter sprinkled on top. The green salad was good, but this halibut was delicious! I even ate the peas!! And I hate peas!! My creme brûlée was dessert. We both tried it - the sliced strawberry on top was so sweet!

Dan on the way back to the car.

We walked along the street back to the car. I wanted to stop at what must be the original Starbuck's and get an iced coffee. But the line down the street was ridiculous! I was thinking of my daughter Mairead who worked for a long time at Starbuck's back in Watertown. Dan took a picture for her.

We passed some outdoor vendors near a lovely park on the harbor. One woman was selling magnets. I had to borrow money from Dan to buy a couple because I had forgotten to go to an ATM before leaving Boston and had given JB my last bit of cash. The woman told me that she had been selling magnets there for 27 years. She takes the pictures and then puts them together. She said that the vendors are in different locations every day - there is a lottery system although seniority plays some part in it too. I felt happy buying the magnets from her instead of buying some that are massed produced.

I stopped at Tully's for an iced coffee - it was surprisingly good. I'm a Folger's Instant Coffee gal - I don't really like the taste of coffee so Starbuck's and the like are lost on me. I might buy McDonald's ice coffee because the money goes to Paul Newman's charity. Looks like Tully's is a local chain although it lists Japan on its website!

From Pike's Place Market we headed to the Marriott Residence Suites - not too far away except for all the closed roads due to construction. It took Dan no time to check in,  and we are resting in our 7th floor suite. I'm sitting on the balcony as I write this blog. Dan is in the bed watching soccer. 

My room with pullout couch. Balcony overlooks the harbor.

Dan has the bed. We are sharing the patio, bathroom, and kitchen!!

There are sailboats, motor boats, ferries, sea planes - even a rowboat - coming and going. The view from the balcony is great!!

View from balcony.

The traffic is heavy below me. There is a light rail running on the street as well.

The sun is out, the sky is clear except for some puffy clouds, and there is a light breeze. A perfect start to our adventure!!

It is almost 9:30 PM now. We decided to rest up at the motel tonight. 

Light rail that passed me as I walked to I Love Sushi.

I walked up to "I Love Sushi" and brought back supper. I got teriyaki chicken which was very good. I walked back along the harbor. Lots of expensive boats docked there.

You can see the Space Needle in the top center.

Sights on my walk home.

Supper was another good meal. Now we are lazing around waiting for the sun to go down so we can go to bed. It is 12:39 AM Boston time.

View of harbor from balcony about 8 PM.

We are planning to go down to breakfast at 8 AM - the bus tour of Seattle is picking us up at 9:30.  I'd like to get in a walk in the morning before it gets to hot - supposed to be about 80 degrees. Looks to be another great day!!

A Trip Combining Religion and Art - Stockbridge, Ma

Mairead has wanted to go to the Divine Mercy Shrine for a long time.  I was off this past week, and she was on April school break from Perkins School for the Blind. Originally I had thought of a day trip to Stockbridge - Dan wanted to see the Norman Rockwell Museum, Mairead wanted to see the Divine Mercy Shrine, and I was interested in Norman Rockwell and the Stations of the Cross at the Shrine.

Dan meanwhile invited me to travel with him to Seattle in June, and I hadn’t heard from Mairead so I put a trip to the Berkshires on a back burner to save my money for the Pacific Northwest.

Then Mairead explained to me that this was THE Divine Mercy Weekend at the Shrine - it was a 3 day event culminating on Sunday. She said that she had to be back to work on Sunday at 2pm so that day was out. Saturday had conferences - she was not sure she was interested in those so we decided to drive up Friday for the Rosary, Mass, and Divine Mercy Service. My plan was for her to take the bus to the Cape on Wednesday or Thursday, and we could leave from here around 8 am on Friday morning.

But, the best laid plans are always subject to change. She was attending a benefit Wednesday night for the two Boston firefighters killed at the fire on Beacon Street. She had plans for Thursday night until 8 pm. 

Meanwhile Mike was staying in Falmouth for a couple of days but had an interview Friday morning at 9 am in Boston and had no car. So Mairead offered to pay for a room in Stockbridge if I drove up on Friday morning.

Mike and I left the house at 6:15 am on Friday - thankfully Mike drove. There was no traffic until we hit the expressway, but we still managed to make it to his job interview an hour early! I drove to Watertown - got gas and went to the bank - and was sitting in the Perkins parking lot at 8:30. On my 3rd call Mairead finally woke up!! We hit the Mass Pike at 9:15. 

I was impressed with the two rest areas that we visited. Nice, clean environment with friendly people working there. Nothing like Burger King on route 24 in Bridgewater! Good start to the trip.

I hadn’t bothered to take directions so we just kept driving along the Mass Pike. I don’t think I had been out this way since I went with Hannie and Norman to visit Chris Navin in the seminary. They took me and Mary Patricia along with them.  Had the Mass Pike even been built about 1966? I didn’t actually realize how close to New York we were going until we got off at Exit 2.

We were saying, as we drove along route 102, that this part of the journey reminded us of route 28 in Wareham - small houses, some businesses, not too busy.

We drove into Stockbridge on the main street - reminded me of a small village in Ireland. We turned left at the Red Lion Inn where we were going to stay. The intersection was a 3 way stop - not even a traffic light - I had no stop sign on my side. We drove down the street  - surprised at how big the Red Lion Inn is!! We turned around at the train depot - it didn’t look like it was open - do trains even run on those tracks? I could just picture years ago when people took the train to Stockbridge and stayed at the Inn. We saw several inns as we  explored - as well as some big older houses - gorgeous. We took a left when we got back to Main street and drove out to the Country Club and back.

Train Depot

Then we headed towards the Shrine. It was about 12:30. We took a left when we should have gone right as we went up the hill. We passed Naumkeag - it is all fenced off as it is being renovated. It reminds me of the “cottages” in Newport - a huge, fancy summer home - quite amazing!

We turned right onto the back driveway into the Shrine - lovely setting. I had read on the website that there was no parking in the main lot - there would be designated parking areas with shuttles to the Shrine. But we pulled right into the main parking lot - hardly a car was there. 

We walked over to the Gift Shop to see if they had a schedule of today’s events. Mairead spent almost an hour poking around inside. I sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful sunny day - all the while wondering where all the people were - the girl in the gift shop told me that they expected 24,000 people!  There weren’t even a few hundred wandering around today.

When Mairead was ready, we walked to the Shrine. We passed tents set up for Adoration, Food, Medical Care/Hospitality, Mass. They would be used Saturday and Sunday. There were hundreds of portapotties - a necessity for sure with the crowd expected but still an eyesore.

The Shrine was much smaller than I expected - and very ornate. We arrived just in time for the Rosary at 1:30 - the sorrowful mysteries. This seemed comforting since Easter was last week, and I had recently seen The Resurrection cantata performed. 

Mass followed immediately at 2 pm - the celebrant gave a nice sermon pertaining to the reading and Gospel. I like it when I get something out of the sermon. I've found that, during the last couple of years, I have been questioning what I believe in. I had great faith as a child. I was positive that the Blessed Mother appeared to me in 2nd grade as we prayed the Rosary - the nun told us to concentrate on what we were doing - I had my eyes closed - suddenly Mary was there.  

We lived beside St. Patrick's Church until we moved when I was in 5th grade. I would go to Mass every morning in May and October for the Blessed Mother. I can still smell the incense from the 8 am children's Mass on Sundays. The smell would make me feel faint - that is when we fasted from midnight.

Now I often find that I don't get anything out of going to Mass - I am just going through the motions. I wonder if there really is a heaven - is there a God - is there an after life - how could Jesus rise from the dead? Or is this all over when we close our eyes for the last time? 

I believe everyone should try to lead a good life - help others in need, treat others as I would want to be treated. But I am not sure about this heaven business - and I definitely do not believe in hell. I do believe in spirits - especially as I learn about family members as I research family history. Sometimes I feel they are right here with me.

So this is another reason I went to the Divine Mercy Shrine - to try to get some of my mojo back.

The bells of the Shrine ring at 3 pm every day, and everyone gathers for the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I was very interested in this since I really didn’t know that much about it. I did get up after Mass for a quick look into a side altar - when I got back to the bench, two people had moved in beside Mairead. They let me back in, but we were so squashed!! Then I started that darn dry cough - even with a cough drop already in my mouth!! I had to climb out over the two who had just let me back into the bench. I coughed my way out of the Shrine and down the stairs. Ohh for a bottle of water!!

When I recovered from that fit, I couldn’t go back inside - the service had started and it was three deep at the back of the church. So I walked the outdoor Stations of the Cross - these were the other reason that I came. The figures are fairly new and are life size in a dark/black material. It was a beautiful day to walk the Stations - the sun was shining, it was warm but there was a slight breeze. The carving or sculpting of the figures was so lifelike!! They were so compelling! I took pictures of each Station but it was so bright that a lot did not come out well. Here are the best of the bunch.

2nd Station - Jesus has been condemned to death and is carrying his cross to Golgotha.

3rd Station - Jesus falls the first time.

6th Station - Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

9th Station - Jesus falls a 3rd time.

10th Station - Jesus is stripped of his clothes.

11th Station - Jesus is nailed to the Cross.

12th Station - Jesus dies on the Cross.

I went back to the Shrine and sat outside in Blessed John Paul II plaza. I could hear the prayers and hymns from inside the Shrine. People were coming up taking pictures of the statue of Pope John Paul II with his arms outstretched. That pose reminded me of when Mairead, the Breens and I were in Rome with the Resurrection group from St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown. Mairead, the Breens, and I would go every night to St. Peter’s Square where Pope John Paul would appear on his balcony. We were there for his final appearance - he went into the hospital while we were there. We still went to St. Peter’s for another night or two before we left for home - it was lonely looking up at the balcony and no "Papa."

Here in Stockbridge, people were kissing their fingers and then touching John Paul’s statue or kissing the statue itself. People were talking about him and Pope John XXIII being declared saints on Sunday.

From the Shrine, I could hear them singing the Tantum Ergo and Holy God We Praise your Name - I love these hymns! 

Mairead said that there was a relic of St. Faustina that was displayed after the Chaplet. St. Faustina was a Polish nun who had conversations with and visions of Jesus in the 1920s and 1930s which she recorded in her diaries. Jesus spoke of his Divine Mercy - the purposes of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, which is a shorter prayer said on rosary beads, are to obtain mercy from Jesus, to trust in His mercy, and to show mercy to others.

Mairead walked the Stations of the Cross, and then we headed for the Red Lion Inn. We found a parking spot out front, and the car never moved from that spot. The porch of the Inn is famous - I read that someone once said that if you sat on the front porch long enough, then eventually you would see everyone of any importance. It is lined with rocking chairs and wicker furniture.

The Inn is full of antiques and old paintings. The tea pot collection especially caught my attention. The desk clerk was very pleasant, and we were checked in quite quickly. He reminded us that the room came with a continental breakfast that would be served in the main dining room.

Fireplace in the lobby.

We walked up the stairs to our second floor room. The floors are warped in the halfway and creak as you step on them. Some of the doors to other rooms are slightly lopsided. 

When we got to Room 222 (my address back on Main Street when I lived in Watertown,) we could not unlock the door. We fiddled around with the key, and Mairead finally got it open. The room was bright with two twin beds.

After we checked out the room, we decided we needed something to eat. We had arrived at the Shrine at 12:30 and stayed there until almost 5pm. So we decided to just eat downstairs in the tavern or pub. One problem though - we couldn’t lock the door. We were fiddling again with the lock when I spied a staff person talking with two women down the hallway. I ran down - I had met the two women at the Shrine - I had taken their pictures with Pope John Paul II. They said they were here for the weekend. The fellow from the hotel checked our door and told us that he would get a new lock and new keys while we were having dinner.  Just like that - he apologized and took care of it. 

Then he took us downstairs on the old fashioned elevator which is located beside the stairs. I hadn’t been on one of those since I did private duty for Mrs. Land on Brattle Street in Cambridge - her husband had invented the Polaroid Land camera.

We headed downstairs to the Lion’s Den Pub since the Tavern didn't open for another 18 minutes at 5:30. The hostess was very friendly - there were a few people at the bar and a couple of tables were taken. The pub was very cozy - had a nice bar area - a fireplace - tables and chairs as well as booths along the walls. They have entertainment nightly. I was trying to figure out if the ceiling was made of tin, but forgot to check it out when we were leaving.

Our waitress was a very friendly 20-something. Mairead ordered a home made hot dog while I ordered a turkey and stuffing sandwich with the cranberry mayo on the side. Mairead's dish came out with 2 extra long hot dogs, home made potato chips, and a small salad. My sandwich was big enough for the two of us - with real turkey - not deli meat! And the cranberry mayo was delicious!

A couple sat down in the booth behind Mairead. They recognized us from the Shrine - I suppose they recognized me from my hacking cough!! They said they drove up from Westerly, Rhode Island for the day - every year they go to the services at the Shrine, walk around the grounds, go out to eat, and then drive home. Like everyone else they were very friendly. Their waitress was the twin sister of our waitress - our waitress was pregnant, theirs wasn't.

I was stuffed after this delicious supper - I could hardly move. But we decided to waddle down Main Street while it was still daylight since rain was forecasted for tomorrow. 

Most of the stores were closed - it was close to 6 pm. The General Store was closed, but the Country Store was open. We poked around - it was a gift shop - they had some very nice things.  I bought some magnets of Stockbridge - I always like to get a magnet when I visit some place new. 

Below, the Country Store is the beige building between the white General Store and the former town offices in the brick building.

Former Stockbridge Fire Station on Elm Street - now it has been converted into a cottage for the Red Lion Inn - you can stay here.

House on Main Street

When we arrived back at the Inn, Mairead wanted to relax a while  in the room. I took my computer and went down to sit on that famous front porch. There were not so many people sitting there now, but people were laughing and talking - some had cocktails. I was starting this blog when I was suddenly attacked by mosquitoes!! I couldn't believe it. I put on my sweater to keep them off my arms. Eventually, I became tired of whishing them off my face.

View from where I was being eaten by mosquitoes.

View from my seat on the porch. That is my red Corolla parked on the street.

There is a second Lion on the other side of the entry way.

I decided to sit in the lobby for a while. The Main Dining Room is off the lobby so there were people waiting for tables. In a room off the lobby, a woman was playing the piano. It was lovely and relaxing.

Eventually I went upstairs to see if Mairead wanted to go to the Lion's Den to hear the duo that were playing there. There is entertainment nightly 8 pm to 11 pm. The gal came to turn down the beds. We interrogated her about Stockbridge - yes, she liked her job. No, there is no supermarket in Stockbridge. No, there is not much for young people to do in the evening. She was married. She was a nice girl but was probably wondering who these two were with all the questions!

I made the mistake of stretching out on the bed. An hour later, I took a shower. We were sharing a bathroom with the other rooms on this wing. So I took a shower in case everyone was in the bathroom in the morning.

We hung out in the room. I finally started falling asleep.

Saturday morning we went downstairs to the main dining room for breakfast. The room came with a continental breakfast. We showed the waiter the yellow card - he told us that it entitled us to $14 off the bill. Mairead ordered Texas Style French Toast. My apple pancakes needed 15 minutes to cook so we got a carrot, apple, zucchini muffin which was huge and absolutely delicious. Mairead's French Toast tasted great - my pancake was cooked a little too much but was good. The waiter was very attentive. And like everyone else, he thanked us for coming to the Inn and wished us a good day.

We looked around the first floor at all the antiques and went to the gift shop. There was so much to see! - I have to go back again to see more of it.

We hated to check out but managed to do it - only took seconds. Then we headed for the Norman Rockwell Museum. This was a couple of miles from the Inn. It was cloudy and misty. 

I have to say that I was disappointed that there were not more works by Rockwell. Two rooms had works by other artists which were nice, but I had thought there would be more Rockwells. I was disappointed but not surprised because I had read this on www.tripadvisor.com. I got $1 off the $16 admission by showing my AAA card - that didn't make me feel any better. One room had the Four Freedoms - paintings inspired by FDR's speech.  There were a few magazine covers from different magazines - mostly the Saturday Evening Post.  It was interesting to se the evolution of a couple of the Rockwell paintings - the earlier ones had the initial sketchings that Norman Rockwell painted from and the later ones had photographs that he used.

We decided to hit the road when we left the museum. It was still cloudy and misty. We passed through Stockbridge again on the way to the Mass Pike - pass the Congregational Church where the conferences for the Divine Mercy weekend were taking place - we could see cars and buses parked. We also passed the Mission House - another famous landmark. 

I drove to Watertown to drop Mairead off and take some of her winter clothes down to my house. Then I headed home to the Cape after a lovely weekend with my favorite daughter!