Mount Vernon was one of our favorite stops on the 2009 Mother/Daughter Trek. This shot of the plantation’s stables shows a glimpse of a unique building in the background. I had just pointed out the lovely structure to my daughter and suggested we walk around to view it from the front. A building marker informed us that this was the Washington family’s “necessary.”

We found bathrooms a plenty in such cities as Philadelphia and New York (props to Starbucks!), however, the famed “New England frugality” proved true while we were walking the streets of Boston. None of the shops we visited provided public restrooms. The situation soon evolved into full-fledged panic, bringing deeper meaning to the term “necessary.” Thankfully, Elena noticed that one of the skyscrapers shadowing the streets was in truth, a theater. Without a thought, we forked over $9.50 each and bought tickets to the new Star Trek show, made a quick visit to the necessary desperation, and enjoyed the movie.