Today we took another walk up and down the steep hills across the river, and once again, it wore me down -- but also inspired me. Who wouldn't be inspired by autumn trees starting to show their colors and send their leaves down, and by a fresh blue sky with soft pastel clouds drifting across, and by a frisky, forceful woman by your side, a companion on the journey? 

This afternoon, after carefully packing our gear for a 10-day adventure in London and Paris and checking off our various checklists, we took an easy drive up to Framingham, where we are enjoying a comfy hotel room. Right now, it's 8:14 p.m., and I'm sipping a glass of chardonnay while sitting in bed next to my sweetheart and all-time favorite traveling pal. We'll be up at 4:00 a.m. and off to the airport 

and then on our way!