This post comes rather impromptu but the best things are typically surprises. This past weekend, I took a trip to Boston and Providence to focus on my historian and researcher identity with the History of Education Society. The conference itself was amazing. As a newcomer to the field (not quite in a graduate program)- mentorship and dreaming of one day taking that title of Ph.D, was encouraging to me. Another cool piece was the ease of traveling between borders and over rivers in New England. As a midwesterner, huge towns and cities are more that a 2 hours drive making it harder to travel freely. So, I obviously hopped at the chance to take a day trip to Cape Cod with my amazing host and former teammate Kelly (shout out to her!). But, the trip was a well needed escape from the monotony of Chicago and as always is beautiful to connect with beautiful people in a beautiful place.
About an hour and a half drive from Boston, Cape Cod is best known for its pristine beaches and a place where (wealthy) New Englanders vacation during the summer. We visited at an amazing time given the low season so less traffic and fewer crowds. The Bourne Bridge with two narrow lanes is the main point of entry and exit for The Cape and during the high season can be backed up for miles with anxious vacationers waiting to book it to the beach. Luckily, our mid-afternoon fall travel was not interrupted by heinous traffic, so we breezed right over the bridge.
A pit stop at Mary Lou’s coffee to refuel and we continued on about 15 minutes through Hyannis to the Eugenia Forbes Beach. The weather, vibes, and views were breathtaking. Most remarkable was the overwhelming calm from the locals to the beachgoers, it all felt surreal which made it all the more beautiful.
Being a natural girl, my hair is one of my greatest assets. So, the sea breeze was killing my vibe on multiple levels, until I finally embraced it and let my curls be free. Hence, this shot below which is my Cape Cod queening Black girl glory shot.
Summoning the natural hair gods of twistouts she lifted her hands and yelled’ let my curls be fleeky and my edges always slayed’.
-Queen Mariah
Kelly’s greatest feat was to finally find the famous Kennedy Compound. After much debate we found out that the house below is not the home the Kennedys vacationed at but it certainly is gorgeous.
Ultimately, the trip to the Cape and Northeast was an amazing reset button for the dreary fall days and writer’s block that have been looming.
Happy Tuesday and keep exploring!(preferably with a dope pal like I had )
Mariah
mariahgoesabroad 