Tuesday 22nd October

I didn't mention The Plymouth Rock yesterday on our pilgrimage, that's because we didn't get to see it until this morning! Apparently the top of the rock was chiselled off after the American Revolution and displayed in a number of different spots. It now rests on the coastline in a place estimated to be approximately where the original was. It also is about the third of the size, but as the information board next to the rock says.."it's not the place, but the icon that is important!" Anyway here is the Plymouth Rock !

We didn't stay long as we had to make Boston in time to drop off our luggage to our accommodation and then the car back to Thrifty by 11.00 am, and we had heard there was congestion on the inbound freeway. There was the worst traffic jam we had experienced all trip, but fortunately we were still able to make our deadline on time. A sad day as it is the end of our freedom to move, but also a pending sign that our 11 week holiday is coming to an end.

The 2 months having the car has allowed us to make our own choices to explore where we wanted to go at our own pace. We clocked up 12,594 kms travelling in a clockwise direction from Washing DC then somewhat southward toward New Orleans (unfortunately missing Orlando because of hurricane Dorian), northward in a zig zag fashion to Chicago, across to Niagra Falls, then from Toronto toward Quebec City. We headed south east to the ocean and then south to Portland before zig zagging inland on the way down to the coast not far from New York, eventually ending in Boston.....ALL on the RHS of the road. Now the challenge is to revert back to the Australian way of driving !!

After dropping off the car we stayed in town to start our exploration of Boston. First impressions are it is a friendly and comfortable city with signs of mega wealthy residents, but a city we both liked the feel of straight away. The architecture and streetscapes are very impressive, particularly during our stroll down Commonwealth Street and Beacon Street. We also found the very popular and busy Cheers Bar where we perched on a bar stool to enjoy a beer and clam chowder. We stopped long enough for Graeme to be pampered to a Boston haircut before again continuing on our way. We have a good feeling about Boston and are looking forward to the next two days!

Halloween decorations..