Monthly Archives:November 2014

Another installment of my trip to Boston – some of the foliage, animals/water fowl, and characters I came across along the way. Oh, the hilarity that ensued.

One of the things I wanted to do for sure was to find the Edgar Allen Poe statue, which was unveiled the Sunday before my arrival. There was a sign asking people not to climb on top of the statue, but nothing said I couldn’t give him a hug. (smile) The visit to Cheers was accidental (Oh, there it is!) and sadly, nobody there knew my name. haha. The last two pics were taken at Tremont 647 which we had mostly to ourselves. Loved meeting Brian & Bridget, and Beth and Danny. They, of course already knew Shelley. Our waiter was Shaun and everyone decided he and I needed a pic together as well.

Fall colors! In Alaska we don’t see the vibrant reds so I was thrilled. The squirrel? About twice the size of those in Alaska. And, B-I-G trees! The trunk was huge – I placed my cell phone there for comparison. And, of course I needed pics of the mounted park rangers. Saw lots of dog walkers, but this guy took the award for wrangling the largest group. He was a good neighbor, too . . . pausing to bag and tag the excrement along the way. I also saw several groups of children being walked through the Common as well as near my hotel. I didn’t get really good pictures, however. It was really cute – walkers would hold onto handles attached to ropes. Younger kiddos would be in multi seated strollers all strapped in. And, ALL of them were happy and chattering. Nice to see.

Water, as always draws me. Lots of that around me while wandering through Boston Common and the Public Gardens.

Even in a big city like Boston I reminded myself – I live in Alaska – I make my own fun. Part of that fun was to see Boston from a different perspective. Yes, I did it. I boarded a Duck and took a tour that was fun and entertaining and educational as well. And . . . I got to go ONTO the Charles River without being in a boat – or getting wet. Well, mostly I didn’t get wet, but I was in the front seat and near an open window and the Duck kicked up some waves. So, I got sprinkled.

Here are some pics from that tour.

gas lights! more cool architecture

elephants!!!!

Elephants! from a Duck! In Boston? Yup. The driver was chatting away and telling us about the sights along the way when he, very disappointingly, stated we would have to detour because the police had that road blocked off. Then he got excited and said “get your cameras – get your cameras – this is even better!” And we were treated to a parade of elephants headed toward the Gardens for the circus later that night. Cool! We also heard about Jumbo – or the remains of Jumbo – the mascot for Tufts University.

The last one, the smallest, is the STAR as you can see.

going down onto the Charles River hey, look, another Duck! row, row, row sailing, sailing cormorants capital dome suffolk county jail we're headed out - they're waiting to come in part of the Berlin Wall (Reagan said "tear down this wall!") a castle! just a reflection of our former selves

After the Duck arrived safely back to its street-berth I caught a cab back to the hotel. It was an interesting ride wherein the cabbie tried to deposit me at a hotel not my own . . . and had to be convinced it really was not where I needed to go. I did finally arrive back safely and look back fondly at my “own fun” time.
🙂

On one day I decided to take a trek – getting lost wasn’t my plan, but finding my way around was (exhaustingly) fun. On that day I walked over 6 miles according to my fitbit and, according to my ankles and knees. I walked from my hotel to Boston Common and through the Public Gardens on my way to Commonwealth Avenue Mall (Comm. Ave. Mall to the locals) because I wanted especially to see the Women’s Monuments to Lucy Stone, Phillis Wheatley and Abigail Adams. It was worth the walk.

It was interesting to me, as a writer, just how many of the monuments were erected to writers. Oh, they were other things as well, but it was noted that they were writers – poets – thinkers. So very glad I took that day to wander about to see these. Also, very thankful for the many conveniently placed benches for my weary legs.

I recently took a trip to Boston to meet my “imaginary” friends as hubbymoose calls them. This is not my first such trip to meet folks I’ve known online. I trust it will not be my last. It is so much fun to meet face to face and to hear the voices of those folks who have shared many milestones through blog-dom and facebook over the years.

I love brick and I love quirky architecture – this post will show some of the great buildings in and around Boston. Many thanks to Ms. Shelley for sharing her lovely city.

A couple of things of note . . .
I crossed the FINISH line of the Boston Marathon several times while there. Each time brought my thoughts to the victims of that senseless tragedy.

Fenway Park – for all my baseball lovers out there.

The taped sign . . . in Alaska that would be Duck (TM) Tape, of course – and the pineapple of welcome (spotted also in Rhode Island later in the week)

Some of these pics were taken while driving around the city with Ms. Shelley. Others were taken while I traipsed around on foot getting lost in the city. 🙂