Road Trip

With the prospect of a vacation looming, Da Queen and I discussed the possibilities. I decreed that we should get ourselves a car and go somewhere we don't usually get to. Da Queen, ever loyal, agreed. I announced that we should go north. Da Queen gave me her full support. I declared a moratorium on penny pinching and that a shopping trip was called for. Da Queen shouted huzzahs. I deigned to inform her that Maine, and its outlet stores for men's clothing, would be our destination. Da Queen praised my capacity for flexibility and pointed out that New Hampshire, and its fine quilt and needleworks shops, would be better yet. I was, of course, adamant. I put my royal foot down. I command. It is for others to follow.

And so we embarked on our trip to New Hampshire. First things first, I got us a Zipcar for the day. North I pointed my rented steed, and north we went. The miles rolled by and the view through the windows went from crappy to pleasant to downright pretty. Lovely vistas opened before us. Views worth pulling over for presented themselves. But I hurried on, knowing the urgency of our mission. We were headed to the yet more beautiful lakes region, to the north of Winnipesaukee, and the little town of Center Harbor. This, to my crafty and crafting Queen, is like unto Mecca, as it is the home of Keepsake Quilting.

I'd tell you all about it, but I didn't actually go inside. I spent my time shopping at more manly places, like the nearby liquor store, where I found good deals on whiskey and whisky. I also found time to fill an Adirondack chair and read a good book.

The ride home was taken at a more leisurely pace. We stopped to play a round of miniature golf. I finished four over par. We drove through some pretty towns (and some not-so-pretty towns) and got caught in a sudden downpour. It wasn't long before we noticed a rainbow forming to our left. We took a good look at it while waiting at a red light. I had to laugh. We were at the intersection of Route 3 and Rainbow Road (really). I sang a little song and pulled off the road to take a picture.

Here is half a rainbow. A double rainbow, in fact.

Here is the other half.

As we got closer to home we started to get hungry, so I drove us through the drive-though at Kelly's on Route 1. Kelly's is my favorite coming home comfort food. Da Queen had her favorite, the fish plate, which is a couple of nice big pieces of fried scrod on a bed of fries and onion rings. I get the rings. I thought about the clam chowder, which I love, but went with Kelly's world famous roast beef sandwich. It was wicked good with a coffee frappe.

It's nice to get out once in a while, but it's even nicer to come home. We made up with the cat, wondered briefly about all the money we managed to spend, and collapsed into bed. Life, sometimes, is pretty good.