"What were we thinking: a brief intellectual history of the Trump era" by Carlos Lozada

In this “crisp, engaging, and very smart” ( The New York Times Book Review ) work, The Washington Post ’s Pulitzer Prize–winning book critic digs into 150 recent books of the Trump era and finds that our response to this presidency often reflects the same polarization, contradictions, and resentments that made it possible.

On the Road: Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

I traveled to Boston, MA on May 30, 2024 for the Road Scholar program: On the Road: Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. I took a Vancouver Cab at 6:00am to PDX.  I traveled via Alaska Airlines leaving at 8:00am. I ate a Signature Fruit and Cheese Platter during the flight.  After arriving at 4:30pm I retrieved my suitcase from Baggage pickup and caught the Hilton Shuttle to the Hilton Boston Logan Airport Hotel.  I paid extra for a corner room on the 9th floor.  I had a delicious New England Cobb Salad for dinner at Connolly's Publik House in the Hilton. 

I rested all day on Friday, May 31.  I had yogurt/oats and juice for breakfast.   I finished reading "the Echo of Old Books" by Barbara Davis.  I went to the Hotel Front Desk and was able to get a book from Lost and Found: "The Gods of Guilt" - A Lincoln Lawyer Novel by Michael Connelly.  I ate a Turkey BLT Panini for lunch/dinner at Connolly's Publik House at the hotel.  I had a great view all the way from the Boston Shell Amphitheater to the sleek Red Roof of Logan Airport International Terminal from my corner hotel room. 

Saturday, June 1 - I had yogurt/oats and juice for breakfast.  I found the Logan Airport 9/11 Memorial (GC7B93X).  On September 11, 2001, two planes left Logan Airport bound for Los Angeles, but were hijacked by terrorists who flew them into the World Trade Center towers in New York. The Logan Airport 9/11 Memorial honors the passengers and crews of these two planes.  I met another Geocacher at the Memorial Stone Circle.  I went to Road Scholar Check-in and Registration at 5:00pm. Orientation was at 6:00pm. Dinner at the hotel.

Sunday, June 2 - Breakfast at the hotel.  We departed hotel via motor coach for Woods Hole at 9:00am.  Arrived at Woods Hole Ferry at 11:15am.  Boxed lunch (Falafel Sandwich) from Pie in the Sky.  Ferry departed to Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard at 12:00 noon.  I saw the Tall Ship Corwith Cramer in the harbor.  Arrived at Oak Bluffs.  We traveled to the Dockside Inn 9 Circuit Ave.  I had a room on the 2nd floor facing the courtyard.  Quiet, great view.  I found Loomis' Loot (GC53Y3P) geocache in the courtyard.  I had Caesar Salad and Fish and Chips at Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company for dinner.

Monday, June 3 - Breakfast at Biscuits.  At 9:00am Field Trip: Island Tour of the Six Towns. I found the Aquinnah Cliffs Up-Thrust Earthcache (GC9EFDK).  Photographed Gay Head Lighthouse.  We saw "Large Swordfish Harpooner" by Jay Lagermann (1994) at sand dune. I had lunch on my own in Edgartown at The Seafood Shanty.  I had delicious Fish and Chips w/Heineken.  Best French fries ever.  Brief tour of The Carnegie Museum in Edgartown.

Tuesday, June 4 - Breakfast at Biscuits.  At 9:30am we went to the Long Point Wildlife Refuge in Vineyard Haven.  I saw stuffed birds at the Visitor's Center: Osprey, Snowy Owl, Northern Goshawk, etc.  We had lunch at Waterside Market.  I had Tomato and Mozzarella on Ciabatta with a Chocolate Chunk Cookie.  I sat at a table along the railing at the front deck. I got one stop of an Adventure Lab: Stone Bank.  We departed for Vineyard Museum at 1:45pm.  I photographed the Gay Head Light Tower's decommissioned Fresnel lens.  Free time in Vineyard Haven.  I got a cup of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream at Mad Martha's.  I thought about getting a Black Dog T-shirt.  I returned to the hotel in Oak Bluffs on the #13 bus.

Wednesday, June 5 - Breakfast at Biscuits.  We departed hotel for Vineyard Haven Ferry.  At 9:30am we took the Ferry to Woods Hole. Motor coach pick-up in Woods Hole.  Field Trip: Self-guided tour of Sandwich Glass Museum.  I purchased a Blood Red Sea Star Paperweight.  We had lunch at Seafood Sam’s in Sandwich (Cape Cod).  We departed for Cape Cod Maritime Museum.  Self guided tour.  We checked in to Hyannis Harbor Hotel, 213 Ocean Street.  I did not like the location of my room so I changed it to the 2nd floor. Great view, quiet location.  I had dinner at Back Cat on front deck.  I had a Buffalo Chicken Wrap.  Returned to the hotel.  I watched "Master Chef".

Thursday, June 6 - I finished eating the Buffalo Chicken Wrap for breakfast.  At 8:30am we departed the hotel for Hy-Line Ferry.  At 9:30am Ferry departed for Nantucket.  I took the free bus to the Rotary in 'Sconset and then walked the shell path. I hitched a ride to Sankaty Lighthouse. Perched high above a bluff in the village of 'Sconset on Nantucket Island, Sankaty Head Lighthouse has stood since 1850.  I got photos and altitude for Earthcache (GCA8F59). Hitched a ride back to the Rotary. I ate lunch at Claudette’s Sandwich. I rode the free bus back to downtown.  A fawn ran across the road in front of the free bus. 

We had a Field Trip: Nantucket Whaling Museum (self-guided tour).  I photographed the 1849 Fresnel Lens once used in Sankaty Head Lighthouse, Nantucket Island.  It was pouring down rain.  At 3:45pm we met at Hy-Line Ferry Terminal.  At 4:15pm the Ferry departed for Hyannis.  Disembark ferry.  We walked to the Black Cat Tavern for dinner at 5:30pm.  We returned to Hyannis Harbor Hotel.

Friday, June 7 - I had to walk a block to get to the entrance and then navigate the hallway to finally get to the breakfast room.  No bananas, eggs were cold, soggy bacon, etc.  At 8:30am we departed the hotel. At 10:00am we went on a Field Trip: Monomoy Island Excursion at the far eastern end of the Cape.  Monomoy Island is a barrier island that is home to thousands of seals, birds and other wildlife.  We had lunch at Brickhouse Restaurant, Eastham.  We headed north to Provincetown.  I had a cup of ice cream at Twisted Pizza.  I had a bicycle police escort to Napi’s at 5:30pm to join the group.  I had a mixed green salad, a cup of clam chowder, a glass of white wine and dessert.  At 7:00pm we returned to Hyannis Harbor Hotel.

Saturday, June 8 - I had tasty breakfast at The Landing Cafe across the street from the hotel.  At 8:30am we checked-out and departed for Boston Logan International Airport.  I arrived at 10:30am.  My Alaska Airlines flight did not leave until 5:30pm! Argh.  Since I could not check-in until four hours before my flight I sat in the corner of the Airport Lobby handicap section and took a long nap.  I got a Strawberry/Oatmeal Yogurt at Hudson at 3:00pm.  Long flight to Seattle.  Bumpy at times. I got a toasted cheese sandwich at Beechers at 8:54pm.  Short flight to PDX.  I collected my suitcase and got a Lyft home.  

I found one Virtual, one Traditional Cache and two Earthcaches.  As usual they were the high points of my trip.  During my 20 years of Geocaching I have seen things and done things that except for Geocaching I would not have seen or done them.