Day 2: Saturday, July 17, 1999
Our travelers awaken to the news that John F. Kennedy's small plane is missing en route to Martha's Vineyard. Since they are in Boston - this is even a bigger news event than elaewhere.

The weather is sunny but very hot and humid. The temperature will set an all time heat record for Boston at 98 degrees!

The morning is spent visiting with Rosemarie (Mary Ann's sister) at her townhome in New Grafton, MA. Lunch at John Stone's Tavern was delightful. The tavern is an old tavern and roadside inn that now serves as a restaurant.

After getting dressed for the wedding of Bernie Jr. and Ann Marie our group travelled to Castle Hill in Ipswich, MA for the evening wedding. Castle Hill is a magnificent location on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The house (castle) and grounds were given to Gov. Winthrop in 1637 by the town in exchange for his providing military protection to the town. Over the years it was a private estate and was given to the state in the early 1990s.

To the surprise of our little group the event was being held outdoors! (Remember the above note on the heat.) A lovely setting, beautiful ceremony, great food, incredible band and visting with relatives were very much enjoyed. The humidity and accompanying mosquitoes were not very welcome! Hank Jr. decided that if he stood still (to reduce carbon dioxide production) that he would attract fewer mosquitoes. So he basically stood in one spot (near the bar) all evening. While others may have thought him odd - he did escape without any bites!

A day devoted to Boston sightseeing with Rosemarie. Our intrepid travellers met her at the hotel and drove into Boston where they used Old Town Trolley to get around the tourist sights. Visits to Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, the North End, Old North Church and of course the Bull and Finch (Cheers location) Pub were just a few of the stops they made.

Dinner in the North End at Rabias (an Italian restaurant) was delightful.

The morning was spent resting up and then off to Sturbrudge, MA for lunch and antique shopping/browsing followed by a visit to Old Sturbridge Village. The village is a recreation of life in New England in the 1830s. As our group finished this visit a torrential downpour kept them trapped on the porch of a gift shop in Old Sturbrige until Hank Jr. finally decided to take the plunge and get their car.  It was either get wet or take the chance on the two ladies buying more items at the gift shop!

They next met Rosemarie for dinner at Col. Craft's Publik House for an 1800s style dinner. After dinner a quick tour of the Staples corporate headquarters (and Rose's office) topped off the day.

Off to Logan airport for a 9 AM flight toChicago. Again uneventful flights. In Chicago our group checked into the Courtyard downtown and had an early dinner at Giordanos (for Chicago style pizza). After dinner they strolled around the Water Tower area and had an early night.

The morning found our group on a three hout Gray Line Bus tour of Chicago. After the tour, they drove to Indian River, MI where they would spend the rest of their vacation. No one realzed that this would be a 450 mile car trip!

Day 7: Thursday, July 22, 1999
Up early in the AM to cross over to sight see on Mackinac Island. The group took the Arnold Lines catamaran ferry and once on Mackinac Island took a horse drawn carriage tour of the island state park. Lunch and a rest at the Yankee Peddlar restaurant was followed leisurely shopping / fudge tasting on the Island.

Later in the afternoon, on a whim the group drove north crossing the Mackinac bridge - one of the longest in the country and continued on to Sault Ste. Marie Canada. To eveyone's surprise, there was a casino just across the border. Too hard to resist - so the group spent an hour there. (Hank Sr. won a few dollars at roulette.)

A quiet morning resting up. Drove to see the"Cross in the Woods" - a beautiful Franciscan retreat in the North Woods near Indian River. Lunch and window shopping in Mackinaw City was followed by an early dinner and an evning of relaxation.

All dressed up for the evening wedding our group ferried over to Mackinac Island for lunch at the Grand Hotel. After lunch they toured the hotel. (The location for the movie "Somewhere in Time." With an hour to spare before the wedding, they relaxed in white rockers on the veranda of the hotel overlooking Lake Michigan.

At 4 PM, Gail and Robert's wedding began in the 100 year old "Little Stone Church" on the island. a beautiful ceremony was followed by a delightful reeption at the island's community center (which was air conditioned).

At ten PM our travelers reluctantly left the party to ferry back across to the mainland.