Day 4: Road Trip begins

Our stay in NYC has come to an end and time to move on to the next phase of the trip.  We are taking Amtrak from NYC to Boston.  We took a taxi from our hotel to Penn Station.  It was a short drive from the hotel but hectic when we arrived at Penn Station.  For some reason I decided to pay with credit card instead of cash.  I only carry three things in my purse; wallet, coin purse with cash, and small camera.  Apparently, I pulled out my camera to get to my wallet and paid.  I think my camera must have been in my lap but not sure.  We grabbed our bags and were on our way.  We made it to the waiting area for Amtrak.  I made a comment to my mom that my purse sure did feel light . . . I looked inside and my camera was missing.  Gone.  Just like that.  My heart sank and I was so upset.  Yes, the camera I had used the last three days to take a lot of photos.  Thankfully, I travel with two cameras and had been using both but so many were on my small camera since it is easy to throw in my purse.  I quickly jumped up and back tracked where I had been.  I knew there was no chance that I would find my camera.  I knew it was forever gone but at least made the effort.  All I could think about were all the photos I had taken the last few days; it was killing me.  Since I paid with a credit card, I had some helpful information . . . well at least that is what they make you believe.  I got on the phone calling 311 which is the number you call to report any issues with taxis in NYC.  I gave the medallion number of the driver.  I was transferred no less than six times.  No one could locate which cab company the driver belonged to or really any helpful information.  I was so frustrated but continued to try.  Again, I knew there was no chance to get my camera but also had to try every possible avenue to truly be content.  I also knew that I could not let this spoil the next 10 days of our trip either.  I just needed time to accept my mistake and move on.  As we waited for our train to arrive, no one said a word to me . . . they knew I was so upset with myself.  Colin was nice and said maybe it will turn out good like the time I left my camera in London.  A few years ago we went to visit friends in London the week of Thanksgiving.  We went to Bath for the day and for some reason he insisted on using the men's restroom instead of going with me to the women's.  He went into a stall and for some reason took his camera from around his neck and hung it on the back of the door.  I did not notice until the train was pulling out of Bath headed back to London.  I let him have it the entire ride back to London.  Looking back, I was sort of mean but I tell you it has instilled ownership and responsibility.  When we arrived back to our friends' flat, she called the museum and someone had turned it in.  The camera was picked up by a friend of our friends and she mailed it to us.  It was truly a feel good moment that there are honest people in our world . . . maybe not in America but in the world.  Anyway, the camera is gone and that's okay.  I just wish an honest person would send me the memory card!  Oddly enough, last year I attached an address label on all our electronics just in case we ever forget them while traveling.  I know it is on the camera but as of now it is still missing.  I even had a friend laugh at me for putting the labels on my items but hopefully some day someone will notice it and return the item.  I know I sure would.  Now you know why I haven't posted so many photos.  At least my parents both had cameras and have used some of their photos the last few days blog post.  So moving on . . . our train arrived and we claimed our seats for the four hour ride to Boston.  I had read about a service called Red Caps . . . you can tip a Red Cap person that is located inside the Amtrak waiting lounge and they will take you and your luggage to the train before the arrival track is announced to the general public.  It was worth every penny.  We had the nicest and strongest lady . . .

That is her waving as our train arrived.  She got us on the correct train and loaded all our luggage in the train car.  She was a delight!  Plus we were settled on the train before the masses arrived on the train.  The train ride was good . . . Colin ate the entire time . . .

Amtrak 172 arrived in Boston where our New England road trip would begin!  We walked to the parking garage to pick up the rental car and hit the road.  The bad part was our train was about 45 minutes late so we were right in the thick of afternoon traffic.  It was painfully awful and stressful to say the least.  I was still dealing with the lost camera issue and only had typed directions from the rental car place!  Have I mentioned how much I really hate traffic?  We are only driving 45 miles to Plymouth, Massachusetts but it took over 2 hours.  We did try to find humor along the way.  At one point I was driving and cars were passing me on the right hand shoulder.  I was floored at what was going on and then we noticed signs saying you could drive in the breakdown lane (the right shoulder) between 4pm-7pm.  I was amazed and honestly it wasn't that safe.  It was even more interesting when we came to a bridge or an entrance ramp for cars to merge on the highway.  I have never seen this before.  I mean I guess it is there way of having some sort of HOV lane for traffic.  By the time we arrived at the hotel, I was DONE!  We tried a local restaurant but it was closed on Monday so gave in to Colin's request to eat at the hibachi grill next to the hotel.  It was not exactly what I had in mind but sometimes you just have to do what is easy.  I was glad the hotel had a hot whirlpool and quickly changed for a bit of relaxation.  Tomorrow the fun begins!