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Today was an unplanned day of rest - we just didn't really want to be traveling on the 4th of July, so we thought we would spend an extra day in Lowell. Even with the extra day, we still didn't have time to connect with all the friends in the area we would have liked. Maybe next time! So we did sleep in a little late this morning, but it didn't matter as we weren't planning on eating the hotel breakfast anyway. Today we were heading back to Lowell for breakfast at the Owl Diner!
I know that technically the Owl Diner is really the Four Sisters Diner, but to me it will always be the Owl Diner. It's been around Lowell forever, one of the old fashioned classic counter diner with a few booths, with an additional expansion room on the side. We usually manage to get a booth in the front part, as we did today, and we get great omelets and great home fries, but we get to watch the parade of characters that pass through the doors. With our bellies full, we were ready to tackle the day!
With passports in hand, our first stop
was the Lowell Historical Park Visitors Center. After forgetting them back at the hotel yesterday, we were determined to get our passports stamped with the mark of my hometown park! The ranger was very nice and dug up 4 different stamps from around Lowell. Since the Visitors Center offered free parking, we used the opportunity to explore around downtown Lowell. We walked down Merrimack and Middle streets and wandered in and out of some of the shops. Many were closed because it was a holiday, but Jody found a nice colorful dress at the African shop. Lowell has always had a rich cultural diversity and it was sure evident with the downtown shops and restaurants.
By noon we were ready to wander further around town on the bike, and we stopped at a few more of the landmarks of my youth to take some pictures. We didn't have any particular tourist destinations, just a wander around town. We were both amazed at how quickly I was able to remember my way around and navigate my way through the streets as if I had never left.
By late in the afternoon, it was time to head over to visit
my brother Ken and his wife Deb who we hadn't seen in a while. Our family is not really good at constant communication, but whenever we get together, it only takes a couple of minutes and we are picking back up where we left off last. We talked about our motorcycle trip and their European adventures, and of course about the joy of retirement. Ken & Deb aren't there yet, but they are getting close! We caught up on old times, made plans to come back up next June for their daughter's wedding. We took a break and headed out for dinner and conversation and generally just had a great time.
When we got back to the house, I brought out my laptop and went over what I had been doing over the years in the genealogy of our family. We also went over lots of pictures of our parents and relatives over the years, many of when they were children or very young. It was nice to see how good looking a group they were back then. We tend to remember our parents and relatives as old, or at least middle aged, and forget they were young once
too! I left them with a copy of what I had gathered so far which should be a great start if they wish to continue on.
It was really great to see Ken & Deb tonight, and tomorrow we get to connect with the last and youngest of the Rousseau clan, Jerry and his wife Krista. While we never met up with anyone on our trip out west 2 years ago, this trip has been all about family and friends as Jody and I have been visiting all kinds of people on this trip. I guess we just know more people east of the Mississippi than out west. But before we get together with Jerry & Krista we resume our adventure with a stop at Sturbridge Village along the way.
52.5 Miles Today
6237.8 Miles Total
5.870 Gallons Today
157.55 Gallons Total
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