Year 2000 Road Trip Extravaganza!

After my last update, I’m sure you can imagine our—or at least my—demeanor when we got back to our friend Dave’s place last night. Keep that in mind before passing any judgment on us for what I’m about to tell you. I know my grandfather will certainly appreciate the tale.

We lucked out the first night because Dave was not home for the evening and we used his parking space in the parking structure of his building. But that was not the case last night. So we circled, and circled, and circled, tired and wet. We read signs in parking lots stating “resident permit parking only, guests park on street”. Then we read signs on the street that stated “resident permit parking only, guests are screwed”. I must have driven down every street around Dave’s place backwards and forwards, literally.

Finally we found a spot…a tight squeeze, but I managed to pahk the cah as they say in Boston. After we parked we noticed a sign that indicated in a very vague manner that there may not be parking allowed where our official TRS vehicle now sat. “Do they have a ticket?” I asked Chris, pointing to the car behind us. “It’s only 10 dollars” he responded. Screw it, at 1:30am it was worth it. Chances are they’d ticket and not tow, right?

Never mind tow, we’re lucky the gosh damn car was there this morning. Sitting in our locked vehicle overnight three blocks away from us was the camcorder, my cell phone, Chris’ CD collection, Chris’ keys to the rental car, the brand new GPS receiver I purchased yesterday (which was sitting on the dash board), and of course all our miscellaneous crap in the trunk, including clothes and suitcases. So now you’re wondering what was stolen. That’s the kicker. Nothing. Everything was just as we left it, right down to the car keys sitting on the console. An impressive feat considering the driver’s window was wide open. Thank you, St. Christopher.

Drive safely…and roll up your damned windows!!

-Sean

Labels: Boston, wod

If you are looking for the down and dirty, quick and easy way to see as much of Boston in as little time as possible, a Duck Tour is the way to go. What used to be a WWII amphibious assault vehicle--the same ones used for the invasion of Normandy--is now a land and sea tour bus. This is truly a stroke of genius as far as we're concerned, and we're not alone. A Duck Tour is something you need to work into your day, so get there early if necessary. Week days are better than weekends. Sunday we tried to get a tour at noon and the next available one started at 4PM. However, on Monday morning we walked up at 9:15 and got on a 9:30 tour.

You don't actually learn anything about water fowl on the tour, but everyone on our bus did get an opportunity to drive the duck after we launched into the Charles River on the inner part of Boston Harbor. We especially lucked out with the Sarge, our tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable, witty, and hell, he let me drive!

After our 90 minute Duck Tour, we hit the road for Niagara Falls, NY, driving alongside the Erie Canal for much of they way. We stopped to eat near Rochester, NY at the Cartwright Inn. Excellent Veal Parmesan if you find yourself in the area. And if you order before 6:30, you qualify for the early bird special.

Special note: the week of Dave continues today with the gentlemen who was loading the ducks, Dave. Sorry, he wasn't available for a photo op.

Labels: Boston, New York, wod

I want everyone to know I’ve calmed way down now. Where to even begin on this one?

One of the high points of the Y2KRTE that we have been looking forward to greatly is the Dave Matthews Band (DMB) concert at Foxboro Stadium in the outskirts of Boston. I am now sitting in the car in the parking lot of Foxboro Stadium, and as I glance out the windows, I will be here for quite some time, so l won’t spare the details.

I wish I could say the event lived up to my expectations. The day started out nice enough. We tooled around Boston this morning, did some shopping and then headed out to the concert around 4:30. I was in high spirits upon arrival, despite the thousands of people that awaited us when we got here. Not even the site of storm clouds approaching in the distance dampened my spirits.

There were two warm-up bands that did their jobs well. By the time the second band started I was really starting to get fired up. It had begun to rain, however, and so I invested $5 in a trash bag the merchant called a poncho. What a steal, but who stole what from whom? The rain was intermittent and as it got closer to show time the stadium really began to fill up. About 15 minutes before Dave took the stage, a group of twenty-something jackasses with Brooklyn accents took their seats directly behind me. I refer to them as jackasses for reasons that will become apparent in a moment. They were quite obviously intoxicated and no sooner had they sat down they were up again to re-supply their beer glasses. Great, that’s just what they need, more beer. I tried not to let it bother me. I figured once the concert started they’d be fine. Until then I’d just have to put up with the “Yankees suck” chant sessions. I thought this was a DMB concert, not a ballgame.

Finally Dave takes the stage…amid a torrential downpour. We’d been sitting there so long, at this point I figured Dave took one look out the window and said “screw it, I’m not performing in that”. But what did he care, he had a big-ass cover over his spot. Anyway, I digress.

After they played two songs I was feeling pretty good about things, but the natives were growing restless. I suddenly became aware of a warm sensation on my leg and as I heard one of the jackasses ask his friend “aren’t you done yet?” I knew immediately what was taking place. Shit…or urine rather. I turned around to find Foxboro Falls aimed directly in my direction. I stepped to the side in a vain attempt to avoid contact but the damage had already been done. My concert was ruined, $47.50 down the drain. Anyone else would have had the mother #$%^&% on the ground…actually, I came close myself (he wasn’t that big) but as drunk as his friends were, they still outnumbered me 6 to 1. I was pissed, pun intended.

I spent the remainder of the concert for the most part motionless, trying not to think about my leg issue or the various ways to extract my revenge. Have you ever tried not to think about something? Quick, don’t think about cats! All that does is get you thinking about cats pissing. I think Chris for the most part managed to enjoy the concert with his new friends Nicole and Jessica or Trixie and Dixie or whatever the hell their names were sitting (drinking is more accurate) next to us. Pardon my bitterness, but I think I’ve earned it. Speaking of bitterness…HA! I almost forgot the best part. Urine boy got his in the end. I don’t know exactly what happened, but about an hour after the falls stopped flowing, there was a scuffle behind us, one of the Brooklyn girls was hissing and the next thing I know The Jakckass is bleeding from his right eye. I don’t mean a scratch either, somebody whacked him a good one, I mean we had flowage. Somewhat ironic that the same guy who earlier was dousing me in urine was now dousing himself in blood. And I didn’t have to lift a finger.

From the parking lot, I remain,

-Sean, the wet Road Scholar

Labels: Boston, from the road

Welcome to THE ROAD SCHOLARS' four hour tour of Boston. We didn't even scratch the surface and we know it, but it was okay because we knew we had Dave Matthews to look forward to.

We started off at the mall in Prudential Center (the Prude as it is called) where I got some advice on seeing the sights in Boston. The rest isn't terribly exciting. We managed to see Boston Common, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Hard Rock Cafe (of course), and the famous Bull & Finch Tavern, inspiration for the long-running NBC sitcom Cheers. Actually we had lunch at the Bull & Finch where we scored some Cheers mugs (for only $6 each). It was worth it though, because while we were there guess who showed up!!? Frasier, Diane, and Woody, all of Cheers fame. Good times at the Bull & Finch. By the way, the door in real life opens outward due to fire regulations, not inward like on the show.

A quick side note. I couldn't resist taking a picture of this tomato green Honda parked in a No Parking Zone. Notice the license plate (and the no-parking sign). If you don't understand why this is funny, go rent Fried Green Tomatoes.

Labels: Boston, Hard Rock

The day of the sponsors. This is, so far, my favorite day of the trip. We woke up and rented some bikes with Bill & Liz and Arlene & Tim & Co. and rode up and down the boardwalk. Along the way we stopped and had some breakfast and occasionally investigated some of the many shops that were opening up for the day. The ride was a great way to wake up and once again we found it hard to break away. But, duty calls and we finally hit the road. Northbound on the Expressway (btw, the east coast is a very expensive place to drive) we admired the random pay phones on the side of the road. What the hell?? We also stopped at a historic viewpoint for a photo-op where, after explaining to an older couple about the signs on our car, we were asked if we had any reefer. Folks in these parts are just so friendly. Sorry, I'm all out, but I have some sparklers in the trunk.

We hit some turbulence along the way in New York as we went over the George Washington Bridge, but eventually we arrived in Westford, CT, home of my good friend JoHanna, of Crazy Call fame. Jo is settled now in her new home in CT with her new husband, and her new baby on the way. Too bad she doesn't live in New Jersey or that would have been quite a sentence! It was great to see her and her incredible house, complete with a little tiny itty bitty boat dock that lets you float out (eventually) into the ocean. Very cool. I think I'll be headin' back to this neck of the woods.

Unfortunately our visit was rather short in CT, as we had to move on to satisfy another ROAD SCHOLAR sponsor. Dawn Smith graduated from the University of Rhode Island in...well, actually, we're not at liberty to say. At any rate, her parents purchased a brick for her in the courtyard of the university. Of course, I make it sound like we knew exactly what we were looking for and where it was. In reality, we drove over hill and dale to find the University, then had to investigate the location of the aforementioned brick courtyard, and finally we located the brick in question. It was a daunting task, but THE ROAD SCHOLARS prevailed. Unfortunately, our next quest was not as successful.

As you all know, I collect state mugs. Since I have yet to add Rhode Island to the collection, we endeavored to do so after our URI success. Feeling confident, we stopped at the local Super Shop & Go...not just you're everyday Shop & Go, but a Super Shop & Go. I knew it was a long shot but I thought I'd try anyway. I inquired with the very lovely Jeanelle (sorry, I didn't have the digital camera with me but if she reads this and would kindly send a photo...) if the Super Shop & Go (SS&G) carried the item in question. She knew immediately what I was looking for and insisted they carried it. Her manager, Amy, was not so sure. After a brief discussion, they decided my best bet was the airport, which happened to be on our way to Boston. I decided to go ahead and pick up a few items at the SS&G anyway in order to get some cash back and resupply our dwindling supply. Naturally, my card would not go through. Tried it for the amount only. No good. Chris tried his. No good. Fine, I'll use my credit card to buy my Fig Newtons and gum. Thankfully the in-store ATM did allow me to withdraw some cash. Chris was not so fortunate. I relayed my victory to Amy, asked her to give Jeanelle my number, and we were off to the airport.

It cost us $2 at the airport to park the car and find out that all the shops were closed. At least I found out before going through the dreaded metal detector ordeal. Thanks for trying ladies, but no mug. This was no longer a side-show, it was a quest, a quest for a mug with the words RHODE FRICKIN' ISLAND on it. The local service station gave me directions to a 24-hour CVS pharmacy about 10 miles away that was closed. Funny thing the way these East Coast folks do things.

We made it to Boston, but my mug quest was to no avail. I grudgingly conceded this one to Rhode Island, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve and you can bet I'll get my mug.

Labels: Boston, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island