Posted 7:12 AM by George
I knew this blog existed, but was unaware that anybody was using it. This is my first blog "experience" (George posted my prior e-mail), so I'll be gentle. Hmmm ... what can I report? I'd like to give a shout-out to my good brother-in-law Marc for hooking me up with an I-Pod. It has transformed my commute into Boston. My life now moves -- and grooves -- to a daily soundtrack. I am one of those I-Pod zombies you see walking the streets, meandering cluelessly into oncoming traffic, lost in audio-oblivion as store clerks ask to help me ... "Next? Sir, Sir, Sir?"

Linda arrives in Rockport this Wednesday for a visit. We are all excited about her stay. Both Emma and Nina often say that they "miss Nammy." Diana and I will head up to Portland, Maine, this weekend. Great small-city town with fine restaurants, bookstores, shopping, culture, and relaxed Down East feeling. It'll be nice to get away.

Last Friday, my Dad and I went up to Western Maine to check on some land he owns in the White Mountains. He owns nine acres with no dwelling in Stow, Maine (pop. 600). He's owned it for years. We stopped at a rural side-of-the-road restaurant and struck up a conversation with the owner. He told us the story of how on the afternoon of 9/11 a carload of Middle Eastern men had stopped at the restaurant and asked for the way to Canada. As you know, Mohammed Atta and others started out in Portland, Maine, on that horrific day. It was eery to listen to the restaurant owner's story, and seemed so strange that such a world-changing event could partially unfold in this out-of-the-way corner of our country. The restaurant owner told us that he reported the incident to the authorities but he doesn't think the car and its occupants were ever stopped before crossing over to Canada.

At any rate, on the way home we drove over to North Conway, N.H., a half-hour away, and there was a beautiful sight: a snow-capped Mt. Washington looming majestically over the town. It was a perfectly clear day and you could see the mountain in all of its glory. We had awakened on Peaks Island that morning and were in the mountains a few hours later. That's one of aspects of New England I find so satisfying.

Here's a good DVD rental for the guys in the family: The Donner Party: An American Experience. George, I think you would find it fascinating. As you would, Dave, and perhaps Marc. I watched it last night. I've actually been in Donner Pass in Truckee, Calif. I was able to rent it through Netflix.

Well ... that's all for now. We miss everybody, and hope to see you soon. Happy blogging!

Posted 9:38 PM by George
Email from Andy sent 4/15/04:
Nippy here in Boston this morning, but warm weather is on the way. It's supposed to hit 80 degrees on Monday, just in time for the Boston Marathon. They'll be dropping like flies on Heartbreak Hill.

Diana and the girls are doing well. Nina is no longer a boy -- in fact, she wore a pink dress on Easter Sunday. Emma is a thriving kindergartner, reading and writing up a storm and feisty as ever.

I drove in to work this morning because there was some sort of hydrochloric acid spill just north of the city near the railroad tracks that connect Boston to Rockport. Driving in is not so bad, actually, now that the Big Dig is wrapping up. I guess it was worth the $15 billion. Not!