In over forty years, I don't think she had ever turned right. That's what
Mom said as she accompanied us to her second ever letterbox. A right turn
off the thruway and we were into new territory. Pretty soon Mom would be
heard to say that she would never go that way again -- but, that comes a
little later...

We were on a letterboxing roll -- that's right -- we had found the last one
we sought with little or no difficulty! Of course, it was basically hidden
in plain sight in the stamping store, but -- I say it counts just the same
and I was proud!

I have to admit that the blackout the day before had brought back some of
the uncertainty and anxiety of 9-11. And so it was appropriate that we
venture to see the new monument paying respect to those lost during those
tragic days. Having been raised in the NY area and now living in the DC
suburbs, both Da and I were greatly affected by the events almost two years
ago.

The monument is very simple as you stand overlooking the water. The box was
hidden just as stated and we really liked the markers included. The stamp
was simple, yet profound and suited the site perfectly.

So, why wouldn't Mom ever return? It had nothing to do with the monument
itself, nor the cause behind it. Her strong feelings of distaste and
disgruntlement stemmed from -- the parking fee. Seven bucks to park -- and
that's only because she leaned way over Da and waved at the attendant with
her CT driver's license -- he was about to charge us $10 for our
out-of-state plates! Mom was pissed off, being that her tax dollars are
going to support the area and all. Now, don't get me wrong -- Mom is
generous to a fault! You should just witness the piles of treasure she had
gotten for the kids at each gift shop we visited. We walked around,
admiring the view and then headed back to "the lot."

As we drove back through the intersection heading toward home, I thought $7
wasn't too high a price to pay for seeing what lies down a road never taken
and, I am awfully glad that my family, unlike so many in the NY, DC and PA
areas, were able to be together that day to complain about it. BeMa

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