Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: American Double 2014
More JFK memories, then off to the South!
After being first into the breakfast room at 8am, I checked out fifty minutes later and set off on the drive of over 110 miles back to Boston. The good news was that it had stopped raining, although I had to remain alert for pools of standing water on the road. Looping around Cape Cod Bay and passing communities like Truro, Barnstable, Sandwich, Plymouth, Kingston and Weymouth, it was tempting to wonder what side of the Atlantic Ocean I was currently on. As I drew closer to Boston, I was on the alert for signposts for the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum at Columbia Point. I made two unsuccessful attempts at finding my objective, only to experience the annoyance of the trail going cold when the signposts petered out. I called at a gas station to refuel the car and took the opportunity to ask for directions. It was then a case of 'third time lucky', as I realised how close I had previously been!
| RIGHT: Arrival at the Kennedy Library, Columbia Point |
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I had lunch in the museum café on arrival, before continuing with my visit to this hugely impressive facility, which was clearly a different type of venture altogether from the rather homely tribute in Hyannis.
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In due course I drove to Logan Airport, returned my Dodge Avenger to Avis, checked in for my two flights (first to Charlotte and then onwards to Memphis) and settled into the lounge in the US Airways part of the terminal, already rebranded as an Admirals Club. The first of my two back-to-back road trips was over and it had been a great success. It was now time to segue into the next one, in a very different part of the USA.
| Road Trip 2: Biscuits, Blues and Barbecues |
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| ABOVE: Admirals Club at Boston Logan | |
Bruce arrived after a short time and we were able to catch up on
what had gone on for each of us over the last four-and-a-half days.
Eventually we made our way to the gate area and arrived just as
boarding was getting underway. Some don't-you-know-who-I-am
type was petulantly insisting on being the first on board even though he was
travelling in Economy, while the gate agent told him several times
that the current call was for First Class passengers only. What a
complete pillock!
(Link to flight log in side panel)
As the same aircraft was operating US1768 to Memphis, all we had to do in Charlotte was walk up the ramp and wait for time to walk back down it again! We made good use of this short interlude by purchasing a couple of hot paninis to take back on board. I wondered whether this brief visit to the airport allowed me to claim North Carolina as a new entry on my list of visited states.
(Link to flight log in side panel)
Having arrived in Memphis nearly two hours late, we picked up our luggage and walked to the rental car centre, where we took charge of a very nice full-size Chrysler from Alamo. I drove it to downtown Memphis, where we quickly found the Westin, self-parked the car and checked in. Given the lateness of the hour, any plans we may have had for a cocktail or nightcap were abandoned , and we concentrated on getting to bed as quickly as possible. The priority was to be in a fit state to enjoy our Historic Memphis walking tour the next morning.