Boston Gardens, Lagoon
In September of 2005, my travel desire took me to one of the most historic cities in our great United States of America, Boston. I was lucky to have smooth transport and arrived at my temporary home unscathed. The John Jeffries House is a renovated nurse’s quarters whose nurses assisted in the care of patients coming to the Massachusetts Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It still serves patients in addition to tourists. Its location, in Beacon Hill, permits easy access to many of Boston’s sights, whether in walking distance or via the “T”. So, after settling into my room, I needed a bit of rejuvenation and had some lovely tea in the Common Room of the hotel.
My agenda was going to be full for the next three days. On my first day, having partaken of a continental breakfast, I waltzed over to the “T” station and became acquainted with its charms. After several stops, changes and a bit of walking, I made my way up to Bunker Hill where I found the Bunker Hill Monument and the part of the Freedom Trail that led to the USS Constitution. After a tour on the oldest commissioned wooden ship in the US Navy, lunch was needed – when the delightful repast at Sorelle Bakery and Café in City Square was over, I found my way back to the hotel. There was still much of the day left, so the Back Bay and locating Boston Public Library was a destination. The Library’s charming edifice and interior captured my heart – such history (another essay on the library will follow). When this “walk-about” was complete, I headed back to the hotel and a snack of smoked Gouda and wine. I succumbed to a wee bit of fatigue.
Rested and ready, the next day I was back on the “T”, this time to Boston Harbor. The place I needed to disembark was under the Old State House, of all places! Once I recovered from seeing that historic structure, I was on the way to Long Wharf, but I was too early for my Whale Watch Cruise on the Catamaran. So, I meandered a bit and found myself in front of Faneuil Hall and near Quincy Market. There was time for some iced coffee and then back to the wharf. The cruise lasted for about three hours. The vessel wasn’t that large, and so the swells of the ocean almost affected me in a negative way. Keeping a tight upper lip, I did get to see some whales from a distance. Following these sightings, the Catamaran returned to port permitting me one of the loveliest sights – that of seeing Boston from off-shore. Most lovely! Near Long Wharf and the Quincy Market, I stopped for a late lunch at the “new” Cheers. Taking the Freedom Trail back to the Hotel (this is a walking trail), I stopped at Granary Cemetery, walked through Boston Common and found the sight of the “original” Cheers. Of course, I had to go in – thus, a cold Samuel Adams was consumed. From there, it was a short walk down a charming street to my hotel. Following a bit of a respite, I walked over to the Charles River and watched the sunset over Harvard.
On my final full day in Boston, I was ready by 9:30 (past rush hour) and was back on the “T” to State Street to finish the Freedom Trail through the North End. The trail (interrupted at that time by construction called the Big Dig), led me through charming neighborhoods and past many, many wonderful Italian restaurants – unfortunately, I was too early for any dining. Paul Revere House was visited – I’m still impressed by the living conditions of our forefathers and what they endured. The house wasn’t large, but very nice in comparison to many of that time period. North Church was next – such a chill ran through me as I walked into that gloriously quiet, reverent space. On the way back to my hotel, I stopped once again at Quincy Market for a wee bit of shopping. When my feet had rested, I was back on the “T” going in the opposite direction to Harvard. Harvard Yard is open to anyone on foot, but entrances to buildings required an ID. However, the Coop Bookstore, near Harvard, was open to all – three stories of books. It was close to “heaven”, I adore bookstores! Returning to the hotel, a short nap was needed, then dinner at a restaurant called Figs down the street from the hotel. My desert, for the third time, was Boston Cream Pie – and may I note that each one had been a bit different, I liked them all! Quite a nice way to end a busy day.
Day of my return dawned. Since my flight was in late afternoon, I had time to walk back over to Boston Public Gardens in the morning. I found the bronze memorial to the children’s book Make Way for Ducklings, watched the children play on the ducks, listened to the gentle breeze through the leaves and enjoyed the calm of the gardens. After lunch, I checked out of my hotel and headed for the airport. Although Boston traffic has a horrible reputation (especially getting to and from Boston), a visitor within the city proper, can traverse easily. And so, a visit to Boston should be a must for all Americans!
My agenda was going to be full for the next three days. On my first day, having partaken of a continental breakfast, I waltzed over to the “T” station and became acquainted with its charms. After several stops, changes and a bit of walking, I made my way up to Bunker Hill where I found the Bunker Hill Monument and the part of the Freedom Trail that led to the USS Constitution. After a tour on the oldest commissioned wooden ship in the US Navy, lunch was needed – when the delightful repast at Sorelle Bakery and Café in City Square was over, I found my way back to the hotel. There was still much of the day left, so the Back Bay and locating Boston Public Library was a destination. The Library’s charming edifice and interior captured my heart – such history (another essay on the library will follow). When this “walk-about” was complete, I headed back to the hotel and a snack of smoked Gouda and wine. I succumbed to a wee bit of fatigue.
Rested and ready, the next day I was back on the “T”, this time to Boston Harbor. The place I needed to disembark was under the Old State House, of all places! Once I recovered from seeing that historic structure, I was on the way to Long Wharf, but I was too early for my Whale Watch Cruise on the Catamaran. So, I meandered a bit and found myself in front of Faneuil Hall and near Quincy Market. There was time for some iced coffee and then back to the wharf. The cruise lasted for about three hours. The vessel wasn’t that large, and so the swells of the ocean almost affected me in a negative way. Keeping a tight upper lip, I did get to see some whales from a distance. Following these sightings, the Catamaran returned to port permitting me one of the loveliest sights – that of seeing Boston from off-shore. Most lovely! Near Long Wharf and the Quincy Market, I stopped for a late lunch at the “new” Cheers. Taking the Freedom Trail back to the Hotel (this is a walking trail), I stopped at Granary Cemetery, walked through Boston Common and found the sight of the “original” Cheers. Of course, I had to go in – thus, a cold Samuel Adams was consumed. From there, it was a short walk down a charming street to my hotel. Following a bit of a respite, I walked over to the Charles River and watched the sunset over Harvard.
On my final full day in Boston, I was ready by 9:30 (past rush hour) and was back on the “T” to State Street to finish the Freedom Trail through the North End. The trail (interrupted at that time by construction called the Big Dig), led me through charming neighborhoods and past many, many wonderful Italian restaurants – unfortunately, I was too early for any dining. Paul Revere House was visited – I’m still impressed by the living conditions of our forefathers and what they endured. The house wasn’t large, but very nice in comparison to many of that time period. North Church was next – such a chill ran through me as I walked into that gloriously quiet, reverent space. On the way back to my hotel, I stopped once again at Quincy Market for a wee bit of shopping. When my feet had rested, I was back on the “T” going in the opposite direction to Harvard. Harvard Yard is open to anyone on foot, but entrances to buildings required an ID. However, the Coop Bookstore, near Harvard, was open to all – three stories of books. It was close to “heaven”, I adore bookstores! Returning to the hotel, a short nap was needed, then dinner at a restaurant called Figs down the street from the hotel. My desert, for the third time, was Boston Cream Pie – and may I note that each one had been a bit different, I liked them all! Quite a nice way to end a busy day.
Day of my return dawned. Since my flight was in late afternoon, I had time to walk back over to Boston Public Gardens in the morning. I found the bronze memorial to the children’s book Make Way for Ducklings, watched the children play on the ducks, listened to the gentle breeze through the leaves and enjoyed the calm of the gardens. After lunch, I checked out of my hotel and headed for the airport. Although Boston traffic has a horrible reputation (especially getting to and from Boston), a visitor within the city proper, can traverse easily. And so, a visit to Boston should be a must for all Americans!
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