The Grand Canadian/
American Adventure
Day One 2nd
July 2011 Burlington to Boston
Ok, we have made it safely to Boston, actually when I say
Boston we are just outside the city in Lexington, which my meagre grasp of
American History (and the travel brochure sat beside me) states is the birth
place of the American Revolution. Lexington was the site of the first
confrontation between the Minutemen and the British troops that sparked off the
powder keg which became the War of Independence. What an appropriate place to
be spending Independence Day in two days time.
How did we get here? Once again we left early, 0530 to hit
the border before the rush and again we still had to wait an hour to be
processed. We had to renew our visa waiver and it still took time. I think the
idea of Australians being temporary citizens in Canada knocks the US border
guards for a six. At least this time we had someone who was pleasant and didn’t
speak and answer in grunts and monosyllables.
Leaving the border we then set out on the 900 Km journey
across New York State and Massachusetts to Boston. The thru State freeway is a
toll road its entire length, 900 Km and it cost us less than $20 USD!!!!
It costs almost that much to travel the 40km length of the
M7 back in Sydney.
Even though the drive by-passes towns and cities it was
still a pleasant trip through some beautiful countryside. Chelle made me take a
photo of the sign for the city of Springfield, although I don’t think it’s
officially the one of cartoon fame.
We made it to our hotel late afternoon and the kids dived straight
into the pool. Once again we lucked out, for some reason our booking was
interpreted as two rooms so that’s what we got even though we had only
pre-payed for one, woohoo not my problem. When Chelle broke the news to the
kids she told Ryan she had “good news and bad news” the good news was we weren’t
all sharing the same room and the boys and girls had their own rooms, Ryan
wanted to know what the bad news was.
Dinner was a big Mexican meal down the road. Yes the
Mexicans have even infiltrated this far North. It was a good pick we had a
great meal much better than the fast food for lunch. I took a brisk stroll
through the neighbourhood after dinner (I tell you this health kick will be the
death of me), it seems a nice area, lots of old homesteads dating back to the
1800’s and lots of Stars and Stripes proudly on display.
Tomorrow we head into downtown Boston proper, hoping to do a
trolley bus and an amphibious duck tour.
Till then,
Bye
