Phumpin in the Rain

Last week we had a minor adventure, which Mumpus didn't want to report, but Grumpus has been very, very adamant about reporting on it.

First of all, it was raining and cold, and the highway was CLOSED for construction where we live.  We decided to drive up the coast from Boston to Salem to Newburyport, and on the way we stopped at a random sign that announced "ART in the BARN."  There was an exhibit of local artists- mostly paintings, with some jewelry and sculptures, filling several barns (very appropriate title).  We saw one of a blue chicken holding a sign that said "Once in a blue chicken" that we both loved, but not enough to spend $160 when we're technically broke.  Then we walked around the fields and marshes and (saw some awesome birds). We promise this won't become a birding blog.

We explored Newburyport, which is a really cute town right on the border of NH and MA, on the coast.  Sadly, it wasn't great for exploring in the cold and rain, so we will have to go back.  The best part of the day, for Grumpus, was when Mumpus locked the keys in the car (they were on the front seat), and he was vindicated for the time HE locked the keys in the car (in Haverhill, when we never actually found them and had to have a new key cut in a van).  I sullenly agreed to let him take a picture.