Blog de Puree

Tina and Chris came up to Amesbury on July 4–well, more like met us on the road as Harry and Devyn were still “lights out” in the back seat. For T & C, the silence was a small miracle, so Randye and I jumped in the car and met them on the road and we spent the afternoon in Newburyport.

Lunch was in the air conditioning at our favorite local Irish pub, Rosie O’Sheas. Devyn and I had quite the fun time showing each other chewed bits of fries and chicken fingers. Meanwhile, we changed young Harry’s diapers twice during lunch. He must have a Kerstein stomach.

After lunch we made our way to the river walk and the mandatory of inspection (As Devyn demands) of the fleet of sailboats, motorboats and fishing boats. The whole time we marched down the street towards the water she chanted, “Boats!” Devyn also saw a bunch of dogs–a somewhat tentative experience for her as she was mostly used to seing them in picture books. They’re much bigger in person. Brave thing that she is, she stuck her hand out for a quick touch of fur or cold nose and pulled it back in while crouching and laughing.
Then it was off to Grams for ice cream on State Street, downtown. The A/C was nice, but they ice cream dosn’t compare to Hodgie’s, a local establishment that has the most gargantuan cones a mortal has ever tackled.

After Tina and the fam left for the day, Randye and I had some dinner and awaited the Amesbury fireworks at Woodsom Farm. At the farm, we indulged in some fried dough, which is almost as good as funnel cakes, according to Randye, and then awaited the fireworks. They were 45 minutes late because the person coordinating them threw out his back. Randye and started to drive away when they started to go off. We sat outside our car on the road and watched the 15 minute bombardment of sparklers, crinklies, big booms and other sundry firework types echo off the surrounding hills and small valleys surrounding the farm. We also fought a losing battle against the swarm of mosquitos that feasted on our flesh.

All in all, the perfect 4th of July.