Sunday, April 17, 2016

The City On A Hill


It's always nice to get away, especially when your destination is a fun place. Boston qualifies as one. It's a vibrant city with lots to do and a terrific transit system (the "T").

I rode up Friday; the trip took six hours. I spent Saturday enjoying activities in the city. I'm riding home today. The trip was a last-minute thing but I've learned how to quickly put together a motorcycle adventure. I even have a "go bag" ready so I can leave at a moment's notice.

My hotel was well-chosen. Despite being outside the city, it's right next to the beginning of the  T (Green Line) so I'm able to walk onto the train and take it everywhere. Unlimited rides are only $12 a day which avoids hassles and hefty parking fees.

Boston is the largest city in New England; it's almost 400 years old. European settlers arrived in 1630 looking for baked beans and baseball. The history of the place is palpable. On prior trips I did historical-site walks and looked at old buildings. This time, I focused on fine art.

My main goal was to visit the Museum of Fine Arts which has three exhibitions up I wanted to see. Two are on fashion and one is on photography, my favorite subjects. The exhibitions are terrific. I have so much to say (and show you) about them that I'll do a separate post tomorrow.

I didn't know the Boston Marathon is tomorrow which explains why the city is swarming with runners. In addition to the museum, I walked in Public Garden and sat on a bench made famous from a scene in "Good Will Hunting." I ate a tasty lunch of lobster bisque and lobster roll on the 52nd floor of Prudential Tower (Top of the Hub). I paid tribute to Fenway Park (where the Red Sox play) and milled around Faneuil Hall to observe tourists in their natural habitat. "Daddy! I dropped my ice cream!"

My favorite part of the city isn't downtown, however; it's Back Bay. Particularly Boylston Street which is full of nice stores and restaurants. Back in the 1980's when I lived in Boston, I once walked down Boylston Street with a clueless acquaintance from school. We went past a popular gay bar named "Buddies" and, on a Saturday night, it had a long line of men outside waiting to get in. My friend turned to me and said, "That's so sad! None of these guys could get a date."

For a last-minute trip, I had a great time. Here are some pics...




































11 comments:

  1. LOVE your photos!!!! So glad you had/are having a good weekend in Boston.

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  2. Ha! That is too funny about the gay bar.

    They will have great weather for the marathon.

    I did one of those historical walking tours and loved it, although if you quizzed me on it I wouldn't remember a thing.

    Glad you had a great trip. You chose the perfect weekend for the weather.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  3. It seems you had a great weekend! And some great photos to prove it, too.

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  4. Great photos! Looking forward to more.

    Is it just me, or does that lion have a man's face??

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    1. Yup! It was outside The Capital Grille where I ate a fabulous dinner.

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  5. looks like you had a great day. How did you liek the runners by the way?
    you look very happy there and it makes me feel happy for you!
    Yay for last minute trips!

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  6. Looking forward to the MoFA post. Wondering what fashions were showcased... There's a menswear show out here at LACMA that I MUST see! They have a real zoot suit from the 40s!

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    1. Tune in tomorrow! It was about fashion being changed by technology. Innovative and fascinating.

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  7. LOL Your friend sounds hysterical :) Awww, love all of these photos. You look so incredibly relaxed, and well, in travel mode.

    Last minute trips are the best kind of trips. fa

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  8. Last minute trips rock! After a fairly lengthy stretch of poor health, things perked up for me on that front last week and to help shake off the cabin fever that had amassed and give ourselves a much needed spot of R&R, Tony and I zipped off for a "homemade long weekend", returning indeed well rested, on Sunday evening (blog posts on our quick jaunt to follow in the near future, natch :)).

    ♥ Jessica

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  9. I am catching up with your posts but cannot comment on everything. Very funny "they couldn't get a date".
    I think I would like Boston as I like old European cities. So if I ever come to the States, I might visit Boston.
    Greetje

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