Massachusetts

September 10, 2012





Judy & Phil



Massachusetts

It seemed like a brief stay at home in Key West before Kathy & I were off to the airport again, this time heading up to Massachusetts to visit her family and hometown in Marshfield, which is on the South Shore just south of Boston. We stayed at her father Jim’s house, which is the home that Kathy grew up in and is located on a beautiful property that abuts the incredible marsh from which the town derives its name and is completely undeveloped, all the way from his house across the marsh, a river and down to the beach.

Kathy, Jim & Judy





We basically flew up for a long weekend and took the Logan express bus from the airport to Braintree where Jim picked us up and took us to the house. Our first priority was to prepare for a huge lobster feast dinner that Kathy had planned. She invited her father’s sisters Kathy and Judy and their respective husbands Al and Phil as well as a long time family friend Betty and her date Bert. Kathy’s cousin Alex also joined us. We went to the local supermarket and bought a large amount of food and sides and then headed over to the Brant Rock Seafood Market to purchase 10 large Maine lobsters and a few pounds of fresh shrimp. A quick stop at Marshfield Liquors to get the requisite beer, including a delicious Shipyard Pumpkin Ale and we were on our way home to get ready.





Al, Kathy, Alex & Kathy

The dinner was a nice way to reconnect with some of Kathy’s family when we were really limited on time and it was a really nice evening. The lobster was fantastic and there was an abundance of food that left everyone feeling happy and full. It is always good for Kathy to be back home and among her family. She loves the place and enjoys just being there. It was a wonderful dinner and really fun to see everyone all together.







We were blessed once again with just about perfect summer weather, with warm sunny days that found us each day walking across the marsh and then across the river to lounge on the beautiful beach. The water was somewhat chillier than what we are used to in Key West, but for New England it was positively balmy and we were able to frolic in the larger than usual waves caused by the passing of Hurricane Leslie well off shore.



Michael and Kathy





The beach is beautiful and the water was a crystalline blue color that looked more tropical than north-Atlantic. We spent some wonderful afternoons just relaxing, swimming in the ocean and river and hanging out in a place that holds so many treasured memories for Kathy. It was pretty cool. We also had a chance to walk the beach and explore the tidal pools full of all sorts of interesting tiny sea creatures including a baby starfish that was less than an inch across, a pretty amazing little creature.







It was a great few days. On Saturday afternoon, Kathy & I joined her sister Julie and Aunt Kathy at the UKTS sauna in Pembroke. The traditional Finnish sauna has been operating for years and we often try and visit when we are in the area. Separate heated sauna rooms for men and women located on the shore of a cool lake that guests can swim in during breaks from the hot sauna make for a fun and invigorating experience.


 




Afterwards we all went out to dinner at PJs in Scituate and enjoyed a great meal and the chance to catch up even more with what has been happening with the family. It was a great treat. In addition to enjoying being back in Massachusetts and seeing family, it was nice to get a break from the hectic life that we seem to lead in Key West and just have time to relax and not do much of anything.



Kathy & Julie