Yesterday I started the day off visiting the JFK Library here in Boston. The commuter buses are free which was amazing to me. A Boston man standing near the buses explained to me the buses made a big circle to the library and then back again to the subway station which is right next to the bus station. So I climbed abroad and quickly realized two things; the bus was very crowded, and I was definitely the oldest person on the bus. The bus was filled with college students. Oh, how I love their energy! I couldn’t stop smiling.

I missed the first drop off which was to the JFK library because I thought the bus driver would announce the destination. He did not. The second stop was at the University of Massachusetts, the campus itself sitting right on the seaport. Everyone exited down the steps, and then walked off in all four directions. So I asked the bus driver where the JFK Library was located.

“Go through those doors and follow the sidewalk on the other side,” he said.

I followed his instructions and of course ended up on the other side of the building. I asked a young man where the JFK Library was located. He pointed to a tall brick building on the campus. I thought that was odd, this amazing library being located on campus, but I decided to go with his instructions. Sure enough wrong library. So I asked an older gentleman and he pointed across to the other side of the seaport. There it was! A massive black and white impressive building and to get there was a little bit of a hike. But a great opportunity for my morning prayer walk, so off I went.

I knew the library was not open yet and maybe that was for the best because libraries are magical places for me. I could stay and wander around for an hour or two easily, but I needed to get back to our Airbnb so all three of us could head out to Salem. But it was a wonderful short tour of UMass campus and the exterior of the JFK Library. I headed back to the bus stop, jumped back on, and jumped off at the subway station, then quickly walked back to our little house. It was time to join up with Chickie and Robin and then we would take the subway to the Amtrak train, which would carry us to Salem.

Fast forward…

Salem is absolutely charming. The houses are rather large, made of wood or vinyl, with colors of green, brown, blue, black, and light cream. Lots of picket fences painted the same colors of the houses border long and narrow flower gardens. I saw a variety of flowers, including roses, impatiens, black-eyed-Susans, and ivy. Many of the homes set very close together, so much so if one had baked a pie and wanted to share it with one’s neighbor, one could simply open the window and hand it to them. :O) In some parts of the town I definitely picked up the old Puritan heritage this town possesses. I could almost see the women walking in their long, ankle length dresses. In one area of Salem are old, fine mansions located on Chestnut Street. These homes are considered two and one-half stories tall. The third floor was where the house servants lived and to keep the cost down while building the ceilings were constructed at a much lower height. You can see this in the height of the windows when you stand on the street and face the homes.

It’s wonderful how so much of Salem is accessible to the ocean. I almost feel like I’m on an island at times because the coast is so often visible while we three beautiful Ladies are walking around the town. Lots of shops and restaurants with wonderful sea food. The biggest attraction seems be the witches’ shops. They are everywhere. Many women are walking downtown attired in witchy hats and dresses. And the history of Salem is so interesting. Robin, Chickie and I took a trolley tour and learned quite a lot about the city, much of it dating back to the sixteen hundreds. The classic story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The House of Seven Gables”, is very famous here and you can see the photo above of the home that inspired the author. The house sits on approximately an acre of ground located on the coast. The writer in me was doing cartwheels and jumping up and down to be here in Salem and view this historical residence.

It’s been a wonderful trip. The only thing disappointing was our whale watching tour as it so was foggy thirty-five miles out on the ocean we were able to see only one small MInky whale. We did see a few dolphins and they were so fun to watch! The whole week has been filled with new experiences and friendly people. The subway and buses are great for getting around Boston, and good for me, helping me open my mind and learn new things. It’s great to be out traveling again! Who knows where I’ll go next!

c   Love, Joan