OPB in Maine

There isn't much we look forward to more than boating in Maine. Varying from crayon starter-box bright landscapes to the illusive fog filtered colors that are both equally reflective of what it means to be "down east" in Maine, the views know no equal. Usually we encourage "crew" to join us in August as we dodge a labyrinth of lobster pots. 

Our friends are happy to have Blue Chip as their OPB (Other's People Boat) and we are happy to have them. But this year, Blue Chip in spending the summer in Maryland, getting her ten year "nip and tuck" by the team that built her. So, we were resigned to no Maine this year. 

Enter Abracci. Her 166 feet cut through the water, dodging obstacles with amazing agility. Paul and Judy were incredibly relaxed and gracious hosts, as only Texans can be. The crew of nine pampered the eight of us as we cruised from Camden to Pulpit Harbour, Booth Bay and Bath.  

Steve and I now have a sense of what it's like to be onboard an OPB.  We must agree with our crew these last ten years, having an OPB isn't bad - although even with the "nip and tuck" - our Blue Chip can't offer the experience of Abbraci!

 

Boston - We're back!

Boston may be a city with a rich history, but at its heart, its a sports town. For Steve, who was born here, loyalty to Boston teams may simply be part of his DNA. For me, the New Yorker, it may be in the water. (Hey, MIT and Harvard collaborate regularly and this is the US center for bio-med, so anything's possible!)  We've been home for a month, and besides unpacking and going thought the mail that's accumulated over the last 7 months, we've been lending our support to Boston's athletes. 

Up first - we hadn't gotten over jet lag, but we're there July 20 and the 21st, to support the Red Sox as they took on the "Evil Empire". This ball was wizzing right for my face. The fan next to me caught it with his cheeck and saving me from a definite black eye. 

Next was the Boston Arts weekend, with midnight concerts and Baroque music brunches.  Karen went to visit family in NYC, followed by a weekend of guests. What to do to recuperate? A double header - Patriots and Red Sox. 

Friday August 16, the Patriots took on and beat the Tampa Bay in pre season. Must say the boys looked good. Next two days we were back in Fenway for more Red Sox - Yankees, with mixed results. The new neighbors downstairs have Celtics tickets and we've got Bruin connections - so yup - were back in Boston!   Hmmm - maybe we need to take another trip for some R&R!