It's been about four years since the last time my Minnesota family and I traveled to the Cape for vacation, which is just enough time to develop a need to go again. Personally, I like to go in early July to hopefully attend the Boston Harborfest, but G-Bug's birthday is on the second and her mother likes to celebrate with her. This year, we also had to time the vacation just right to fit in between the various volleyball camps G-Bug was participating, so late July was the best time to go. Mom was able to find a suitable cottage for 6 adults, a teenager, and 2 boys under 10 years old in Orleans. The deposits and airfare were paid well in advance and it was just a matter of waiting for the week to arrive.
Unfortunately, I fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous of which is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well known is this: never take a summer vacation when you work in the HVAC industry. I requested the time off back in May which my boss approved with no issues. The spring had been very mild for Minnesota and for many parts of the country, so we hadn't seen a lot of urgent issues arise for replacement air conditioning parts. Murphy's law being what it is, the week leading up to my vacation was replete with urgent, hot, desperate issues with extreme heat in the Southwest and Northeast. None of these areas are in my territory, but the Midwest finally got hot as well. I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to "just monitor" my work emails while on vacation, but would have to take an active role in delegating them to someone still in the office. It looked like I would need this vacation more than ever.
The Wifey, G-Bug and I took separate planes to Boston. I redeemed Delta miles to get a $5 ticket The Wifey used, while G-Bug and I booked the cheapest flight available with Sun Country Airlines. We arrived within an hour of each other, The Wifey first, so she was able to grab a beer or two with my brother while they waited. My brother typically doesn't need to have alcohol to be a schmuck, but once he has some, he can take it up a notch, as evidenced by this text exchange.
Me: Waiting for our luggage at baggage claim #3. Hasn't even started spinning yet.
Bro: Damn it my car is being towed! You're on your own.
Me: I hope you're joking.
Bro: Your blue shirt looks dumb, asshole.
Bro: Yeah, keep chuckling, bitch.
Me: Show your bald head so I can slap it. Or I'll have G-Bug kick your ass.
Bro: Where's Waldo?
Bro: You have no idea.
Bro: By the way, what's with the sex jazz in here?
Bro: You dumbasses!
Bro: Looking the wrong way and shit!
Bro: Should I fart?Turns out my brother and The Wifey were hiding behind a pillar across from the baggage carousal. I sent G-Bug to find them and when she had bird-dogged them, they walked over to where I was standing. Once in range, I delivered on my promise to slap my brother on his bald head.
The walk from the terminal to where my brother parked his car seemed like a watered down version of the Bataan Death March; unpleasant, but survivable. We've had hot and humid days in Minnesota, but just not to a degree like THIS. Back at my brother's house, we chitchatted with his wife and kids. His two boys are 9 (nearly) and 5, but were gracious enough to allow me to change the TV from cartoons to the Red Sox game. It was the first game after the All-Star break and they were playing the hated Yankees, although the rivalry has lost its intensity. We ordered a couple pizzas and drank some beers as we watched the Red Sox squeak out a 4-2 win. We started with a Samuel Adams summer ale, but then my brother introduced me to an interesting beer I hadn't had before. It's called Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale and it was very strong with an alcohol content over 8% and matched the cask flavors of the bourbon aging process. I really enjoyed it and hope I can find it in Minnesota.
The next morning we prepped for our trip to the Cape. My brother's youngest had a swimming lesson in the morning and his wife had a tennis lesson. We couldn't pick up the keys to the cottage until after 3p, but we had to be there before 5p, so we had a small window of opportunity. Previous Cape vacations were spent in Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro, which are part of the Outer (or Lower) Cape. Orleans is included in this region, but it's the most southern, so it is considered "up Cape."
At any rate, it wouldn't take us long to get to Orleans as it would the other places, so we weren't rushed as we packed up our cars. As we did so, my brother treated us to something that has become a taste of New England for me - a dozen Dunkin Donuts.
I realize DD can be found all over the US, but we don't have any in Minnesota. I didn't think there were any in the Midwest until I saw one in Chicago. I washed two donuts down with an iced coffee and the stress of the work week started to dissolve. I couldn't wait to get on the road, mostly because I wanted to get the car's A/C going. We were on our way in short order.
