Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Boston, Days 13-16
On our way from Cape Cod to Boston, we made two historic detours. The first was to Plymouth where we toured a replica of the Mayflower and saw Plymouth Rock. It was hard to believe that 102 people could exist for two months on that size of a ship…and two women even gave birth on the boat! The whole scene on the harbor was a little school-fieldtrip-like, but Plymouth has a nice downtown where we ate lunch. Brent got a turkey and dressing sandwich with cranberry sauce in honor of our pilgrim past.
Harper posing in front of the Mayflower
Then it was off to Quincy, Massachusetts, where we visited the home of John and Abigail Adams. The house is really incredible because everything inside, down to the wallpaper, is original. Harper was a champ on the tour, hardly making a peep on Brent’s back except to smile and make friends with the other adults in the group. Harper has been so fun to have with us because people naturally gravitate to babies, so it opens up a lot of doors to connect more with people.
John and Abigail Adams’ home
Arriving in Boston, it was a little tricky trying to unload our tightly packed car into our tiny apartment on our very narrow street while blocking traffic. We did it, though, and upon reflection, it was nice to get to know a local neighborhood. We stayed in the North End, which is like Boston's Little Italy, full of great food and interesting characters and lots of history. For example, the church where Paul Revere hung the lanterns was just a couple blocks away. We found that everywhere we walked, we would see signs such as, "America's oldest...(fill in the blank)."--definitely an American history mecca.
Boston has tons of great urban parks, including this one where we enjoyed some yummy pizza and Harper ate her dinner too.
Another great open space right in the middle of the city with a splash park
This was on our first day where we followed the Freedom Trail, which takes you past most of the major Colonial sites. Here Harper and I are at a cemetery which dates to the 1650's.
At the cemetery, we ran into these Colonial actors, one of which was quietly practicing his flute for a performance later that day.
On Fridays and Saturdays there are fruit and vegetable vendors set up in Haymarket Square--we bought some to snack on for a few days.
I have never seen something like this before--a large shallow wading pool right in the middle of a park!
Urban gardening near the South End...there were long rows of garden patches where residents could grow their food...how cool!
Harper's first subway ride
I love this picture of Harper riding on Brent's shoulders after an amazing dinner we had at Giacomo's. We had to wait in line for over an hour, but it was worth it! Brent ate pumpkin ravioli.
Our second full day in Boston was July 4th. We had the amazing opportunity (thanks to a hook-up from Brent's uncle...thanks, Johnny!) to attend a Red Sox game the afternoon of the 4th. Brent was very excited to get to see Fenway! The seats were awesome, about six rows back along the 3rd baseline. I didn't stay in our seats the whole game because it was a little too hot for Harper out in the sun, but the time that I was there was very spirited and fun.
Our vantage point during the game
Harper taking in the Red Sox in her patriotic garb!
A family shot...Harper wasn't looking but it's hard to ask a stranger to make baby sounds before snapping the picture :)
Sleepy baby in the concourse
Towards the end of the game, we were able to move down to the first row!
After the game, we had some hours to pass before fireworks time, so we let Harper play in a splash park right by our apartment (although "play" in this picture looks more like "zoning out after a hot and full day").
Us hanging out before fireworks
It was cool to hear the Boston Pops, and the fireworks were synchronized to the music.
Despite our best efforts, Harper was not about to sleep in the midst of all the hullabaloo. She wore her giant sound muffs and was mesmerized by the fireworks!
As I mentioned, the North End is brimming with yummy authentic Italian food, and Brent and I developed quite an interest in the pastries, particularly the cannoli. One day, I am a little ashamed to admit, we ate pastries for both breakfast and lunch (as well as a little gelato for good measure) -- oh my! But we were on a mission to decide for ourselves who had the best cannoli in Boston. We tried three bakeries famed for their cannolis and came to the conclusion that the smallest and lesser known Parziale's was the clear winner.
It may not look beautiful, but it was creamy, flaky, crunchy deliciousness!
Cool bridge in Boston
Our last day we were fortunate to be there for Boston's annual Chowderfest. We had unlimited samples from numerous Boston area restaurants and cast our vote for our favorite.
A random troup of marching Colonial musicians came through and had clam chowder as well--they must have been hot!
We also took the subway to Harvard and walked around the grounds. We told Harper that Harvard could be her backup if she didn't get into ACU. :)
Harper looking cute on the Harvard grass
Walking around the shops at Harvard Square
Finally here is a pleasant little video clip of us listening in on the flute practice in the cemetery.
Colonial Flute Music in Boston from Brent Hughes on Vimeo.
We have now made it to a little town on the coast of Maine--a definite, but welcome, change of pace from Boston, and I can already tell this is going to be an interesting and fun week! More to come!
--Erika
