Friday
Quite a day! Left Stowe at 41 degrees and rain. We were sure lucky the last few days to have it clear and warmer by mid day anyway. We drove through a short area called the notch-narrow road and HUGE boulders that came from somewhere. They didn't even dynamite them while making the road. The rest of the way through VT. and NY we passed small towns, churches. Resorts, and inns everywhere. One farm advertised farm tables. I've read that's where they serve their farm food on large tables in fields, etc.
We passed a sign that we were on 45 degree latitude-halfway between the equator and the North Pole.
Crossed the border easily this time. Now we are headed towards Montreal, which is in Quebec Province. Farms all over and recognized some signage from when we visited France. I knew Quebec was a French speaking city, etc., but didn't realize Montreal was. An hour later we arrived in town and followed our friend to the park and fly lot where our car would sit for a week. The city is full of skyscrapers and we passed many businesses from all over America.
They drove us to Plattsburg, NY, which was a little over an hour. We caught our Boston flight, which should have taken 55 mins, but their visibility was so bad that we had to be in the area twice that long. In June we bought shuttle tickets on Expedia to take us to the hotel. Got there and found out they were out of business. Took another kind. It took 1 hr 20 mins and 5 Reps to get our $36 refund from Expedia. Arrived at the Constitution Hotel a few blocks from the Naval yard. We decided we didn't want to walk in the dark for 2-1/2 blks to eat a fancy meal at a seafood place, or pay a bundle for a cab, so ordered a sandwich delivered in.
Saturday
We couldn't board until 1:00, but not enough time to take a tour downtown or anything, unfortunately. Several years ago our cruise went through here and Tom walked around all day while I was sick on the ship. So we walked down to the naval yard-it was chilly, but we stopped at a convenience store and had a donut and coffee outside. Tom took pictures of a destroyer and the old USS Constitution, which was closed for refurbishing.
Getting ready to sail!
On board we were greeted with free champagne and mimosas. We familiarized ourselves with the ship, had a bite to eat and relaxed. At dinner we visited with people from Leavenworth, WA., Flagstaff, AZ. and Virginia.
Stewards take care of your room on board-like a housekeeper in a hotel. In the mornings they make beds, clean, and pick up trash. While you're at dinner, they leave an animal made of towels and chocolates on your bed, and freshen up again. Ours had only seen me twice that day and that evening I saw him in room, with his back to me, and I said, Toni, and he said, Yes, Mrs. Campbell, how can I help you? They are amazing that way. New people in 20+ rooms every week. 30% of this crew is Filipino, many are from Indonesia, and the rest of the 470 total are from many countries. I think the female cruise director is American, but no one else. The crew members sign on for about 10 months. Many have families and send most of their money home. There is a mess hall on their floor, serving all their local foods and more.
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