What would cause a man to drive 10 hours both ways, by himself, to Boston and back while putting 1300 miles on his car? What would possess him to spend the near $200 in gas and tolls for a little over 24 hour stay? And out of all months, why in the beginning of winter in December? Could it be he has a lady friend? Yes that must be it. There is nothing that'll make a man do such crazy feats like love...to quote Dwight Schrute "false".
The real reason? I have a buddy in the Navy stationed up there. He was one of my close childhood friends whom I haven't seen in eleven years. In March, he'll be shipped out for schooling to Texas. Peace out Boston. After all I've been through this past year, I felt compelled to make the trip to see him before Texas comes a calling.
I'm young, single, and have an untamed beast living in me known as adventure. I've never been to Massachusetts and one of my bucket list items is to visit all 50 United States. Experiencing Boston was also a great idea. Minus the 10 hour drive there and back, Boston traffic, and its peculiar maze of roads.
So what did I do? I used the subway system to cross the Atlantic (because my friend lived on an island part of Boston) and began to explore. Now the thing about Boston is that many of the streets are still cobblestone from the old days. Here's a history lesson for you. My great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was named Thomas A. White. Now he was not a well known figure in history, but if you wonder where all my patriotic pride came from, I wouldn't be surprised it was from him. He was one of the main participants in the Boston Tea Party and also fought in the Revolutionary war. So my roots in this country lead back to Boston. If you google his name there's a wikipedia page on him as well as a few sites of his ancestors (like me) who are connecting each other (and there are a lot because the man had 21 kids after all!). I also passed by a right where the Boston Massacre happened.
I explored the more modern aspects like the aquarium (those pics are on facebook), as well as the city's light show on their Christmas tree, a long building that has food franchises from end to end, and a little of the MIT campus. Since the trip was semi spontaneous, I didn't get to see as much as I liked, but maybe a warmer season will have those opportunities in view (a.k.a. a Red Sox's game at Fenway).
I ended up leaving a day early because the Navy had my buddy stay overnight so I wouldn't have seen him again before I left anyway. In all honesty, when I went I was hoping to reminisce on our childhood, swap stories, and make some new ones. But 11 years is a long time and God didn't bless everyone with a strong memory. At least he's one of the few who remember me.
My trip was worth it, no matter how short. I have no idea when I'll see him again if ever. But this I will say. If I have ever called you friend in my life, I think about you from time to time, relieve old memories, and have not and will not ever forget you. No matter where this crazy life takes me, you'll be on my heart always because you did, do, and will always still matter to me. Boston Strong.
