We managed to stamp in to "Alewife" last weekend in Cambridge, MA.
After a delicious Chinese dinner at the "Pu Pu Hot Pot", we had time
to kill before meeting up with son, "Pi 'r square". So, map in hand
we were off to scout out the area and were planning to come back the
next day, but once there decided to go for it, thinking we had just
enough time.

After a couple of false starts and asking around where the bike trail
was, I turned to Fly Doc and asked what the directions said. Well he
didn't know because I was the one who had the instructions, well uh,
no, I didn't have them I thought HE had them. Ok, so after dashing
back to the car Fly Doc came puffing back to me, directions in hand.
We lost some time but we can still do it! Off we go, down the wrong
trail - at least we don't go far before realizing it. Well,
eventually we do take a moment to closely read the directions and
follow them to the box that is well guarded by hungry mosquitos.
Hurriedly we stamp in trying to avoid the thirsty buggers. Fly Doc
re-planted and off we trotted. We might get back in time.

While we didn't actually face the "Wheels of Death" we were passed by
a man on a bicycle who gave us a cheery "ching ching" on his bell
that took me back to my childhood which, in a way, IS reliving my
life.

We made it back in time, and were planning to get some boxing in
during the drive home the next day, after leaving son "Pi 'r square"
happily ensconced in his dorm room. But our plans were thwarted by a
massive traffic jam on I-90 near Worcester, MA. Up & down hills, into
valleys and curling around hills: nothing but a packed grid of
creeping slow cars at least a mile ahead of us and a mile behind as
far as we could see. And for no reason. Then poof, everyone decided
to speed up and drive away! A bunch of lemmings. So, with doggie
waiting at home, we had to pass the boxes on by.

I mention the traffic jam here because we've seen this before during
non-rush hour times, and wonder if it is a regular occurrence.
Anybody know?

catbead of the empty nest