First stop Boston

Sunday, May 4. Made it to Boston, 1711 miles and about 3 1/2 days. Time ashore was limited because Captain wanted to get ahead of storm. We took the short city trolley tour of the usual sites. It's not really that big of a city. Got to MIT but not Harvard for some reason. Highlight was lunch at the Union Oyster House. Very historical. Claim to be the oldest continuous running restaurant in US. Revolutionary War soldiers were paid here so George Washington was actually probably within the walls. Usuals were wonderful -- clam chowder, lobster roll. Then around the corner to spend a little time at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Lots of people although didn't see many while we were on the tour - Sunday I guess. Big excitement was a group of orthodox Jews who were, believe it or not, protesting Israel's takeover of Palestinian land. Shouting that it was against the Torah. So back on-board by 3PM and we were off across the Atlantic. Weather is cool.

JACK SEZ:   Union Oyster House is not tourist trap.  Obviously gets heavy business from locals and that is justified by food.  Aside from lavish old bar, it is mostly worn out, seedy, place for food, not fashion.  Aside from boarding in Tampa, where multi-switchback ramp was very smooth, this was first test of travel with trike.  Ramp was not as well aligned as Tampa.  In long climbs or steep transition, I may need good "run" or push.  Not lack of power but front wheel drive loses traction.  Found that trike will fit in luggage compartment under big buses by folding steering post.  Dis-assembly not required.  Gave me confidence that it would not be problem for trip.  That was good fortune, because I later discovered that the draw-latch I designed to allow easy uncoupling of front and rear for storage in car turn, was sprung.  Probably hit a "jump" too hard.  By good fortune, the latch was not lost. Fell off when removing from bus on return.  Problem was overcome later.  Trike was critical to me.  While I can walk a few blocks with canes, it is slow and requires lots of care if surfaces are rough.  Without it, I would probably take half-hour to walk the switchback gangplanks, etc. to bus and then would be limited in museums and similar.  Also first encounter with old sidewalks--brick, cobblestone, etc. Some are real problem.  Here and most places later, there were handicap curb-cut ramps.   THEY are critical because not too hard to roll trike down a curb, but takes two of us and some real care to pull it up a curb.  Later, I will add more explanation of trike experience because it played big role in our ability to enjoy travel.