Monday, April 21, 2008

Boston Marathon

This year I decided to take the kids over to my friend’s house for Patriot’s Day instead of watching the Boston Marathon. We use to live fairly close to 135 and for the past several years have gone down to watch the runners. We enjoyed cheering on the runners and yelling out the names of the people who wore their names on their clothes. The only problem with my plan is that I live in Framingham, Katherine lives in Holliston and the marathon route goes in between. Nothing crosses 135 except emergency vehicles. I have to drive out to 495 and go around Hopkinton.

Unfortunately, I am compelled to try and save 5 minutes by taking a shortcut on the frontage road by Hopkinton. Silly me! I should have realized that, of course, Hopkinton is shut down from 495 in. I get off the freeway and I am directed by one the five police men through the traffic light. I try to go the opposite direction, I can see the road I want but it is blocked by more policemen and vehicles. I have to go back on the freeway but now I heading back to Framingham! I get back off. At this point I should have cut my losses and got back on the 495. But no, I am committed to saving 5 minutes and I will do it or die trying. I’m driving through unfamiliar towns so I have to pull over occasionally to look at my map. Of course, by the time I pull over I have missed my turn and have to drive to the next turnoff. Ironically, 20 minutes later I end up at the next exit of 495 where I can finally I can drive under it.

As I drive though scenic Massachusetts country side occasionally stopping to look at my map (with apologies to my dad) I realize that if I see anymore policemen directing me away from where I want to go I’ll scream.

And at my final stop to look at the map REM’s Stand comes on the radio. Great! Now I have a soundtrack.

. . . If you are confused, check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along . . .

That’s it. Will is going to have to learn how to read a map! And an hour and a half after we leave Framingham we pull into my friend’s driveway.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Isn't it freaky when a song comes on right at the 'right' or 'wrong' time? I was flying home on a Sunday from somewhere and "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2 started playing on my walkman. I didn't like it. One bit!

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