February 11: Marion to Boston

It is 43° and sunny today. Maybe we should just set out beach chairs on the black asphalt driveway and do a stay-cation. Then again, the white stuff surrounding us would not feel like sand between our toes, the breeze across it would be far from balmy, and tonight's forecast is 22°, so away we go.

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Only going as far as Boston was not exactly a roaring start to the trip. Nevertheless, pulling out of the driveway signaled that we were through with the seemingly endless pre-trip preparation and planning.

Rolling along, it occurred to me how much easier some parts of the preparation were than on trips we used to take. Paying bills on time came to mind. Between receiving most of them by email, using Informed Delivery to monitor incoming snail mail, and paying by credit card or having the bank send a check, what a difference it has made.

We rode to the airport with two longtime friends who were catching a plane to San Diego this evening. What a coincidence that two couples from our small town who had known each other for years would be flying to San Diego within 18 hours of each other.

After dropping them off, we went to our hotel. Given that we had an early flight the next day, we opted to stay overnight there rather than start our trip in the cold and dark. Smart? Strategic? Or just an excuse to avoid a 4 a.m. alarm? We'll never tell.

We have had dinner, watched some of the Olympics, and are about to call it a night. Nothing says "wild vacation kickoff" quite like hotel food and early bedtime, but hey—we're pacing ourselves!