DAFFODIL DAYS IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

What a great way to celebrate Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, a car rally in Newport, R.I. . The Audrain Automobile Museum crew lead a car parade through downtown Newport, along Ocean Drive, and back along mansion row, Bellevue Avenue. The tour took approximately one hour and was escorted by the Newport Police Department. Museum staff said that over 80 cars registered for the free event. This was part of the 5th Annual Newport Daffodil Days Festival. There were many interesting cars participating including a beautifully restored Aston Martin that was a duplicate for the one used in the movie "The Birds" ... it was sporting a "show" license plate that was the same as the one used in the movie. The sunny and mild day made for a great event.

BOSTON MARATHON ~ APRIL 16, 2018

It was a cold and rainy day as runners took part in the 122nd running of the Boston Marathon on Patriot's Day, April 16, 2018. Crowds were lighter than usual, probably due to the weather, but got larger as the race went on.

YUKI KAWAUCHI IS THE FIRST JAPANESE MAN TO WIN THE BOSTON MARATHON SINCE 1987.

DESIREE LINDEN FOUGHT THE WIND AND RAIN ☔️ TO BE THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO WIN THE BOSTON MARATHON SINCE 1985.

MARCEL HUG (L) AND ERNST VAN DYK (R) FINISHED #1 AND #2 RESPECTIVELY IN MEN'S WHEELCHAIR DIVISION AT THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOTS DAY, APRIL 16,2018

TATYANA McFADDEN FINISHED #1 IN THE WOMEN'S WHEELCHAIR DIVISION IN THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOTS DAY, APRIL 16,2018

GEOFFREY KIRUI FROM KENYA, LAST YEAR'S WINNER, FINISHED #2 IN THE MEN'S DIVISION OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16,2018.

THE WET WEATHER CAUSED A WHEELCHAIR ATHLETE A PROBLEM DURING THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16, 2018. HE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER AND GET BACK ON HIS WAY.

JOHN BROUGH, #221, FROM THE USA, PASSES BOB SPISAK ON THE HANDCYCLE AS THEY HEAD  UP COMMONWEALTH AVENUE IN THE RAIN AND COLD DURING THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16, 2018.

KRISTA DUCHENE, F 18, FROM CANADA, MOTORS UP COMMONWEALTH AVENUE IN THE RAIN AND COLD DURING THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16, 2018.

VEHICLES BLOCKED MANY MAJOR INTERSECTIONS IN NEWTON DURING THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16, 2018.

MAMITU DASKE, F 7, FROM ETHIOPIA, MOTORS UP COMMONWEALTH AVENUE IN THE RAIN AND COLD DURING THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16, 2018.

 THE RAIN AND COLD PROBABLY ACCOUNTED FOR A LIGHTER TURNOUT  DURING THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16, 2018. AS THE RACE PROGRESSED MORE SPECTATORS TURNED OUT.

RUNNERS HEAD UP COMMONWEALTH AVENUE IN THE RAIN AND COLD DURING THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16, 2018.

LIGHTER THAN NORMAL TURNOUT DUE THE RAIN AND COLD DURING THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16, 2018. AS THE RACE PROGRESSED MORE SPECTATORS TURNED OUT.

RUNNERS AND SPECTATORS BRAVED THE RAIN AND COLD DURING THE 122nd RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON ON PATRIOT'S DAY, APRIL 16, 2018.

At the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Walnut Street is a statue representing a man who has inspired more runners in the last century than any other. Entitled "Young at Heart," the monument depicts runner Johnny Kelley as a 27-year old winning his first Boston Marathon and at age 84 when crossing the finish line at his last.

CRUISIN' KICKS OFF FOR THE 2018 SEASON

On Thursday, April 12, this years cruise season kicked off at the Mass Cruisers/Bass Pro event at Patriot Place in Foxboro, MA. There was a lower than expected turnout, I suspect, due to the threat of rain showers and a chilly afternoon. The wind picked up and was blowing the flags on some of the military vehicles straight out. Even so there was an interesting turn out as many have been waiting impatiently to get their cars back out on the road. The event continues throughout the summer on alternating Thursdays.