Category Archives: History

Celebrating 100 years of the Mother Road

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The mother road is 100 years old and still fascinates travelers

Celebrating a Road That Isn’t All There Anymore

Every now and then something pops up in my feed that feels like a tap on the shoulder. Today it was a notice about the upcoming Route 66 Centennial — a once‑in‑a‑century celebration for a road that’s somehow both legendary and, well… missing in places. I was out and about, minding my own business, when suddenly the Mother Road wanted my attention again.

And honestly? I didn’t mind.

A Road That Crosses Eight States… and I’ve Only Seen a Sliver

The article reminded me that Route 66 stretches across eight states, from Illinois cornfields to the California coast. Eight states of diners, neon signs, motels, migration stories, and dusty postcards. Eight states of American mythology.

My own experience? A tiny sliver — the stretch near Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. A few miles, a few minutes, and yet it still felt like stepping into a vintage travel poster. The kind with a smiling family in a station wagon and a promise that adventure is just one more mile down the road.

 

It’s funny how a place can be both new to you and instantly familiar.

The Centennial That Sparked This Post

The blurb I saw summed it up perfectly:

The centennial commemorates the original designation of Route 66 on April 30, 1926, celebrating its cultural, historical, and economic impact across eight states. The celebration also highlights preservation efforts, tourism, and the ongoing legacy of the Mother Road.

That’s the heart of it — not just a birthday party, but a celebration of everything Route 66 has meant to travelers, dreamers, and the communities along its path.

Whether you’re attending the kickoff in Springfield, joining a satellite event, or just driving a surviving stretch, the centennial is being billed as a “once‑in‑a‑century opportunity to experience the heritage and spirit of America’s most iconic highway.”

And that’s what got me thinking.

Why Celebrate a Road That Isn’t Whole Anymore?

Route 66 isn’t intact from end to end. Some pieces have been rerouted, abandoned, or swallowed by the interstate system. Some towns faded when the traffic did. Some stretches survive only as cracked pavement and fading paint.

But maybe that’s exactly why it deserves celebrating.

Because Route 66 was never just a road.
It was a promise.
A pathway west.
A symbol of possibility.
A ribbon of stories stretching across eight states and nearly a century.

Even in fragments, it still carries all of that.

 

My Little Piece of the Mother Road

Standing on that stretch near Flagstaff, I remember thinking how strange and wonderful it was that a simple road could hold so much history. I wasn’t driving cross‑country. I wasn’t chasing the whole route. I was just passing through — and yet I felt connected to something bigger.

And because the universe has a sense of humor, one of my favorite photos from that trip is of Mater the tow truck — yes, that Mater from Pixar’s Cars — sitting proudly along Route 66. A fictional character on a real road, reminding me that Route 66 lives just as much in our imagination as it does on the map. Pixar didn’t just make a cute movie; they captured the heartache and hope of all those little towns the Mother Road once carried.

Maybe that’s the magic of Route 66.
You don’t need all 2,448 miles.
Sometimes a few feet — or a rusty tow truck with a big grin — are enough.

Looking Ahead to the Centennial

The centennial feels like an invitation — not just to celebrate the past, but to appreciate what remains and to honor the communities keeping the spirit alive. To wander a little. To remember that roads don’t have to be perfect or continuous to take you somewhere meaningful.

Maybe I’ll explore more of it someday.
Maybe you will too.

Either way, the Mother Road is turning 100, and that’s worth a moment of appreciation.

Maybe a road doesn’t have to be whole to take you somewhere.

 

Patriots’ Day 2026

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A modern soldier and two Revolutionary War reenactors symbolizing centuries of American service. Taken on the Lexington Battle Green on Patriots Day

A Weekend of History in Lexington & Concord

Patriots’ Day doesn’t always line up neatly with Marathon Monday — and in 2026, it definitely doesn’t. If you live in Lexington or Concord, the celebration stretches across an entire weekend, with events beginning Friday night and continuing through Tuesday morning. Strangely enough, the actual date of Patriots’ Day — April 19 — is the one day with nothing scheduled.

Friday, April 17: The Weekend Begins

The spectaors line up for the Battle of Lexington.. 2011

The Crowd Gathers- 2011

Festivities kick off Friday evening with awards ceremonies and speeches, but the real highlight is Paul Revere’s Ride at 9 PM. Watching the rider thunder into town under the night sky feels like stepping straight into 1775.

Saturday, April 18: The Big Reenactment

Most of the major events happen Saturday. If you’re brave enough to get up before dawn, you can catch the famous 5:15 AM reenactment on Lexington Green. I did it once, back in 2011, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. I left the house at 4 AM and still found parking tough and the crowd already deep. People even brought step ladders so they could see over everyone’s heads.

When the Redcoats marched down the main street, their uniforms looked astonishingly authentic. And the muskets — I had no idea they were that loud. The smoke from the black powder hung in the air like fog. I’m glad I went once, though I don’t feel the need to repeat the 4 AM wake‑up call.

After the battle, everyone heads to one of the three pancake breakfasts happening around town. I skipped it in 2011 and still regret that choice. If you’re already up before sunrise, you might as well reward yourself with pancakes.

Smoke from the musket fire drifts over the redcoats

Sunday, April 19: The Quietest Patriots’ Day

Here’s the odd part: Sunday is the actual date of Patriots’ Day, but there are no scheduled events. Maybe because it falls on a Sunday this year — who knows. But it creates a natural pause between Saturday’s reenactment and Monday’s festivities.

Monday, April 20: Patriots’ Day Meets Marathon Monday

Events pick back up Monday morning at 9:30 AM, with activities continuing until Paul Revere’s arrival at 12:30 PM on the Battle Green. By the time Revere completes his ride, the Boston Marathon will already be well underway. Two Massachusetts traditions, running side by side — literally.

Tuesday, April 21: A Ceremony Worth Noting

The weekend wraps up with something truly special: a Naturalization Ceremony at 11 AM on the Battle Green. Imagine becoming a U.S. citizen on the very ground where the country was born. If I were one of the new citizens, that moment would move me deeply.

 

Plymouth Rock: The Legend, the Letdown, and the Lovely Town Around It

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The Most Overrated Tourist Attractions? Let’s Talk About Plymouth Rock

So I saw another list, but we’re not going to dig through it all. I’m just going to pick and choose a few choice comments. The list was The U.S. Tourist Attractions That People Regret Visiting the Most. As a travel enthusiast, I felt it was my duty to share a few of my thoughts.

Since I’m in Massachusetts and only a couple of towns over from Plymouth, I thought I’d chat about Plymouth Rock.

What was on the list? Well, without taking the time to bore you with details, here’s the lineup:

  1. Times Square, NYC, New York
  2. Skywalk, Grand Canyon, Arizona
  3. SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida
  4. Salem Witch Museum, Salem, Massachusetts
  5. Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, California
  6. Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee
  7. Duval Street, Key West, Florida
  8. Pat’s King of Steaks, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  9. Roswell, New Mexico
  10. Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City, Maryland
  11. Mystery Spot, St. Ignace, Michigan
  12. Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts
  13. Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois
  14. Calico Ghost Town, San Bernardino County, California
  15. World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, Georgia
  16. Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California

So now you have the whole list—let me talk about Plymouth Rock.

Plymouth Rock: The Legend, the Letdown, and the Lovely Town Around It

As a kid, the idea of Plymouth Rock is irresistible. It’s practically mythological—the rock where the Pilgrims supposedly stepped ashore in 1620. You picture something massive, dramatic, maybe glowing with historical importance. At the very least, something you could stub your toe on.

Then you finally go see it and… well… it’s a medium-sized rock in a granite gazebo, sitting behind iron bars like it’s in time-out. You stand there thinking, This? This is the rock? And yet, thousands of people come every year to have the same moment of quiet confusion.

But here’s the twist: the story behind the rock is far more interesting than the rock itself. And Plymouth—thankfully—is full of genuinely lovely places that make the trip worthwhile.

The Real Story Behind the Rock (Which Is Better Than the Rock)

  • No Pilgrim ever mentioned a rock. Not in 1620, not in 1621, not ever. The first written reference appears more than a century later.
  • The legend began in 1741, when an elderly church elder insisted he remembered hearing from earlier generations that this was the landing spot.
  • The rock has been moved several times, and each move made things worse:
    • 1774: Townspeople tried to relocate it and accidentally split it in half.
    • 1834: The top half was hauled to the town square for display.
    • 1880: The halves were reunited at the waterfront, but not quite perfectly—hence the famous crack.
  • The “1620” carving? Added in the 1800s, long after the Pilgrims were gone.

So the rock you see today is more of a symbol than an artifact. And symbols can be powerful… even if they’re smaller than expected.

What Makes Plymouth Worth the Trip

Plymouth itself is charming, historic, and absolutely worth a visit—even if the rock leaves you shrugging.

  • Brewster Gardens — A pretty little park right off the waterfront with footbridges, flowers, and shady paths. It’s the kind of place you wander into and think, “Oh, this is lovely.”
  • The Massasoit Statue — Overlooking the harbor, honoring the Wampanoag leader who forged a peace treaty with the Pilgrims. The view from up there is one of the best in town.
  • The Mayflower II — A full-scale reproduction of the original ship. It’s surprisingly immersive, and the interpreters do a fantastic job bringing 1620 to life.
  • Plimoth Patuxet Museums — If you want the real, nuanced history—not the postcard version—this is where it lives.

Plymouth isn’t overrated. Historic Plymouth Rock is.

And Now for Something Actually Exciting: Captain John Boats

Once you’ve stared at the rock for the obligatory 30 seconds, you’re only steps away from one of the best things Plymouth has to offer: Captain John’s whale watches.

For nearly 50 years, these trips have been part of my life—breaching humpbacks, sea spray, the thrill of spotting that first tail flick. It’s the perfect contrast to the stillness of the Rock. If Plymouth Rock leaves you wanting more, Captain John’s will give you a show the Pilgrims never dreamed of.

Wrapping It Up

So yes—Plymouth Rock may be one of the most overrated attractions in America, but Plymouth itself is a gem. It’s a place where history, beauty, and the Atlantic all meet. Go for the Rock if you must… but stay for everything else. And if you time it right, you might just end your day with a whale tail against the horizon.

Breaching Whale

 

Beware the Ides of March: Why This Ancient Date Still Echoes Today

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What Are the Ides of March, Anyway?

Every year when March 15th rolls around, a little whisper from Shakespeare seems to drift through the air: “Beware the Ides of March!” It’s dramatic, it’s ominous, and it’s one of those lines everyone knows—even if they’re not entirely sure what it means.

In ancient Rome, the Ides were simply the midpoint of the month. Nothing spooky, nothing sinister. Just a calendar marker. But in 44 BCE, Julius Caesar had a very unfortunate appointment with a group of senators who were feeling… let’s say, ambitious. That single event transformed an ordinary date into a cultural warning label.

Shakespeare later took the whole episode and turned it into high drama—soothsayers, tension, betrayal, and enough theatrical flair to make even modern political thrillers look tame. Thanks to him, the Ides of March became a symbol of caution, intrigue, and the occasional reminder to watch your back.

Why the Ides Still Capture Our Imagination

There’s something irresistible about a date with a built‑in sense of foreboding. The Ides of March has survived for more than two thousand years because it blends history, literature, and a touch of superstition. It’s a moment when we collectively pause, remember a dramatic turning point, and maybe give a little side‑eye to anyone acting overly dramatic.

Of course, today’s March 15th is far less dangerous than Caesar’s. No daggers, no conspiracies—just another day in early spring when New England is trying to decide whether it wants to be winter or mud season. The only thing most of us need to beware of is slipping on leftover ice in the driveway.

A Lighthearted Look at a Heavy Historical Moment

So as the Ides of March arrive, take a moment to enjoy the history, the Shakespearean flair, and the fun of a date that has lived rent‑free in our collective imagination for centuries. No need to beware—just appreciate the drama from a safe distance.

And tomorrow? We’ll leave ancient Rome behind and head back to Massachusetts, where Plymouth Rock is waiting to take its turn in the spotlight.

 

Daylight Saving Time: The Time Change We Just Can’t Shake

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It’s early March, which means two things in New England:

  1. We’re all pretending it’s spring even though the wind still bites.
  2. The annual Daylight Saving Time debate is warming up faster than the weather.

And because I can’t resist a good trivia rabbit hole, I stumbled across a Jeopardy clue that sums up our relationship with DST better than anything else:

Clue: To combat fuel shortages, Congress enacted this for almost 10 months in 1974, from January to October.
Category: “D” in American History
Value: $600

Yes — the answer is Daylight Saving Time.
We didn’t just “spring forward” that year. We practically launched ourselves into permanent daylight.

We Tried a Long-Term Relationship… It Didn’t Go Well

The idea wasn’t new. Allegedly, Benjamin Franklin pitched something similar to save candles. Germany used it during World War I to conserve fuel. And in 1974, during the energy crisis, Congress said, “Let’s try this full-time.”

Ten months later, after dark winter mornings and a nation full of cranky schoolkids, the experiment quietly ended. But the twice‑a‑year clock shuffle? That stuck around like a houseguest who never got the hint.

Every Year We Swear We’re Done With It

By now, the pattern is predictable.
Early March rolls in, and suddenly:

  • Congress floats a bill
  • Someone suggests permanent DST
  • Someone else suggests permanent Standard Time
  • Committees form
  • Studies are commissioned
  • We all complain
  • And nothing changes

It’s the legislative equivalent of “We should really get together sometime” — said with no intention of actually scheduling anything.

And Yet… Here We Are Again

Daylight Saving Time officially ends on the first Sunday in November, but the real cycle ends when we stop grumbling about it — which, let’s be honest, is never.

We tell ourselves it saves energy.
We tell ourselves it gives us more daylight.
We tell ourselves it’s tradition.

Mostly, we tell ourselves whatever gets us through that groggy Monday morning after the switch.

Countdown to the Clock Shuffle

So here we are, early March, inching toward the big weekend.
Coffee makers are bracing themselves.
Humans are sighing.
And the cats? Well…

Banner and Balboa are thrilled.

In their world, Daylight Saving Time is the greatest invention since the treat bag.

Breakfast arrives a whole hour earlier — a development they fully support and believe should be made permanent immediately.

If Congress ever needs motivation to finally pick a time and stick with it, they

should consult the feline lobby. Banner and Balboa have notes.

What About You?

Do you love the extra evening light, dread the clock change, or simply follow your pets’ lead and accept breakfast whenever it arrives?