Boston - that's a fun place to negotiate

That statement is about as true as "I really enjoy shoving an icepick up my nose." Holy crap!! The overabundance of one-way streets is enough to thoroughly confuse anyone. But, just in case there are a few intelligent people with nerves of steel who have figured it out, they throw in tons of construction and street closures to keep everyone on their toes.

We have a good friend who is a Boston native. He has raved about the "chowdah" at the No Name Restaurant. So, we couldn't very well visit the city without checking out the place.

The No Name is no frills and no nonsense. No frills - there are pitchers of water on the table with a stack of plastic cups. Sodas and beers come in bottles. No nonsense - we walked in the owner pointed to a table by the window and said "here, take your menus." Someone at an adjacent table asked the waiter what was in the chowder "it's a seafood chowder, it has seafood in it. Fish, clams, shrimp and scallops." Then they asked if they could substitute a side dish. The answer "No. The menu is the way it is." I couldn't help thinking of a friend in Washington who would have been very proud of that waiter.

I had the shrimp saute. Shrimp, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots sauteed in beer and butter. Yum-my!! Husband had the chowder. Kevin is right. It is the best chowder in the world - and I don't usually like chowder.

After dinner - and finally making our way out of the city - we just had to drive through the "Big Dig" so husband could marvel at it. I guess you have to be an engineer to appreciate it. It looked like a tunnel to me.

The next day we headed to Cambridge. After walking around Harvard Square and the surrounding area realizing we were probably the only Republicans within 10 square-miles, we headed out. But, not before tracking down the garage of the "Car Talk" guys.

The final day of our trip was spent on the road. We did take a detour through New York City to see the World Trade Center site.

And then sat in heavy traffic all the way back home.

Some things never change.