*since I forgot to listen to the band Boston, while I was in Boston as my dad requested- I am dedicated this blogs title to that missed opportunity.
When I found out Paul was going to Russia (several months ago), me and my Megan friend quickly made plans that I would visit Boston while he was gone. Guess what! I followed through on that promise! The plan was to take the train to New York City then take the megabus up to Boston.
As I was driving from work to the train station, I heard that that day was "Manhattanhenge" which only happens twice a year! It's when the east-west streets of the street grid align with the sun. I was so excited and hoped that I'd be able to see it!
I walked along this super long block in anticipation...
And success! Total Manhattanhenge shot with the Empire State Building!
It was kind of empowering to be all alone in New York, enjoying this twice a year miracle. I think it was quite a nice coincidence that I happened to be walking along the streets that day.
Then I got on that Megabus and (after we drove through Times Squre, which I will never ever do if I am behind the wheel) drove for four hours to Boston! Megan was a sweet host and welcomed me with open arms. Friday we both had to work, so I set up shop in her house while she went into work - but not before she gave me instructions on feeding myself with this delicious goodness.
We both got off work a bit early and hurried to do some sight seeing. We picked up some Hubway bikes and she showed me Back Bay, which I hadn't been able to see on our previous Boston trip. The Boston Library was really great, and Megan made sure I got to see the inside too (while she held my bike).
Then I requested a trip through the Boston Public Gardens - since it didn't quite make the agenda last time, and luckily Megan wanted to go on the Swan Boats too! So we hopped right on board, and had the nice helper take our picture, and laughed when the little Canadian girls next to us tried to avoid the opportunity to be in it with us.
Guess who likes taking pictures! Megannnnn! haha Paul would usually be embarrassed about this public display of self photography but she loved it right along with me.
Swan boat friends!
We got to go under the bridge!!
And saw a real life swan friend while we were on our swan boat.
As we walked through Boston we took advantage of any reflective mirrors or windows we could find.
And Megan was great at pointing out all the great things in Boston like matching planter box flowers, and taking me to the boats.
I just love being by large bodies of water and boats and smelling the smells that go along with those two things. I also love stealing Megan's clothes! Thank youuuu!
Then we went to this nice rose garden that was in memory of someone. A presidents wife I believe?
I must say again how much I love the Boston bike share program and am real glad one is coming to New York very soon. Such a lovely and nice paced way to see lots of nice places.
So we continued on our bikes through ivy covered arches - thank you Boston for looking so nice in every way! Oh yes, and Megan happens to be one of the best bike riders and was just speedy all day. I kept telling her that Paul was going to recruit her to race, those Taiwan streets did that girl good!
Then it was time for historic old cemeteries. East Coast cemeteries are the best.
And it happened to be Friday the 13th and even though Salem would have been a nice day trip to celebrate, we settled on headstones near Salem Street.
And also visited our BFFs the Boston Fire Department because Megan happened to know that they let people use their restroom.
We walked passed Paul Revere's House.
And I liked all the orangey coppery goodness on so many of the buildings.
Then my stomach was ready for some cannoli time, and Mike's Pastries did not disappoint on the chocolate dipped.
Farmers market!
Cucumber phones!
Then we stopped by the Holocaust Memorial, which I had walked right past the last time we were in Boston with out even knowing. Having a local tour guide is the best idea because they don't let you miss these nice things. It was a nice spot to think and appreciate our lives.
Our next stop was Quincy Market where luckily we ran into a cheerleading competition, and then to South Market.
We walked past a closed store that had all these great posters that I wanted for my house. Bryce Canyon! Bikes! More bikes!
Then we biked through the park next to the river and opted out of the outdoor family movie night, which was still nice to see. I think Boston is neat because it's a big city, but has all sorts of free community events to take advantage of. Megan does a really good job in seeking out those fun activities and inspired me to try to be a bit better of that here in New Jersey.
We biked across the river and saw MIT and this math guy.
And then enjoyed some delicious ice cream at Toscanini's. I chose Goatcheese and Brownie, and I know that it sounds strange but I was loving every bite. Little did I realize we had a little friend who wanted to be entertaining for the camera. Please find her below.
We headed home and instead of going to bed we stayed up and talked until 4 in the am. Whoops. Two hours later I set out on my run along the Charles river. I loved the rowers and boat houses and park and city view and each mile just became better and better.
And the bridges were nice on the eyes, and also good distance markers.
I hit the very end of the path and what would you know, it was exactly half way. Perfecto. I sat on that bench for a moment and missed Paul and listened to our selected while-you-are-gone-in-Russia song and enjoyed the moment.
Because this was my view!
When I arrived back at Megans I took a little shot of her house because it is cute and sweet and lovely. There is even a bench under the tree!
I showered, then fell asleep watch the Tour de France - then Megan got home from the
engagements she was photographing and took me to her favorite Pad Thai restaurant. It totally lived up to her hype. Delicious.
Then we got to see the Boston temple and it's over-sized Moroni! It was closed for cleaning, but it was a nice pit stop on the way to Walden Pond.
Walden Pond was much larger than I expected - but really beautiful and nice even with all of our other swimming friends.
I'm so glad we got a close up of our "Thai Babies" (aka eating a huge meal right before showing off our swimsuit bodies.
After fun swimming, we came home and quickly got ready for Sandcastle Festival time! I could not believe that people could actually make this complicated of a sculpture out of sand and water. It was so cool!
I think I will forever covet those green jeans of Megan's.
This one is for Demi the Boston Red Sox lover.
Photographer Megan was fun to watch. She takes really nice pictures.
Including this shot, which I really appreciate!
We stuck around for the fireworks show, but headed to the car a little early to try to beat SOME traffic, which wasn't that successful.
Then stopped for Wendy's and I took this fry and frosty picture because Paul thinks I think I invented that tasty combination.
On Sunday, I enjoyed going to church with Megan and had forgotten about how silent single ward sacrament meetings and also how quickly people like to meet you and also how embarrassing it is to be at a single wards and have multiple people/interested guys say "Oh, why are you living in New Jersey?" and then saying, "For my husband's PhD" which sometimes feels really awkward but there really isn't any other answer! I also met many of her nice friends, including one that was identical to Kenneth from 30 Rock, and when I mentioned it to Megan she didn't know what I was talking about so I pulled up a Google image and she completely agreed. I promise - twins.
After church we went to Mount Auborn cemetary and enjoyed the watch tower views, millions of trees, ancient headstones, and beautiful ponds, flowers and weeping willows. All of it really.
Megan was so happy she just started doing laps around the top of the tower. It was great.
We also spent plenty of time trying to figure out how to actually exit the cemetary - and I think this screenshot of the map I was looking at will help you understand why. So many turny roads that don't connect to real roads even when they look like they do.
Next stop: The Henry Wadsworth Longfellow House! Megan had stumbled upon an outdoor concert series held at the house, and lucky for me there was a Charles Dicksons Tribute performance that afternoon!
Feel free to read that program and learn all about how Henry and Charles were BFFs and why Dickens loved music.
We decided that when you are the youngest people in the crowd, you are in the right place. What is not in the right place are those performers just hiding right behind the tree.
JOYFUL!
Photographer!
During the jig it took all our willpower not to stand up and dosey-do. We tried to be reverent and pretend dosey-do in our seats. The music was just too inspiring!
We walked through the gardens and Megan got a little sensual.
Then our best friend the violinist came walking by and we asked for a picture! He said "only if I get to hug you". Ok you weirdo! Anything for this shot!
And then he just wanted Megan to try on the top hat. He was thrilled.
Next up, I found a man who I am positive is a scientist - in the typical uniform of camping zip up pants, button up shirt, a map, and a canvas bag. This is Paul is 60 years, people. I just had to get a picture with him!
Before I had to go home, we took a little time to explore more of Boston - a real pleasant afternoon stroll.
Then it was goodbye/Megabus time, and I got to the station 20 minutes before my bus was supposed to leave and guess what! They left 15 minutes early, and I'm real glad I made it. Unfortunately, limited seats were available so guess who got to ride backwards all the way to New York!
Luckily Megan had packed me tortilla chips and Oatmeal Squares which kept me really happy.
Then, our bus just got stuck in a crazy rainstorm and THEN stuck in traffic, and it ended up being really late. When we finally got to Manhattan I pulled up the train schedule (because I still had to take an hour train from New York to my city), and saw there were very limited trains left. I watched with stress as the little blue dot on my phone that represented our bus on the map inched slowly towards Penn Station. When it finally parked, I was the first one off that bus and SPRINTED the 4 more blocks to Penn Station, knowing that my chance at a train was leaving in 4 minutes, and if I didn't make that one, it would be a long night alone in Penn Station.
Luckily, my marathon training came in handy, as well as my asperation to be on the Amazing Race as I sprinted through the streets of New York at midnight with a big backpack and a serious deadline.
I got to the station, waited in a short line to buy my ticket with stumbling fingers as I worked the ticket machine, grabbed the ticket and read the monitors to find out what track to get to as I ran through the corridors of Penn Station, down two flights of stairs and finally to the track that I thought I had read. There was the train! But... all the doors were already shut. I kept running up the platform, and luckily some doors near the front were still open. I jumped on, and breathed the biggest sigh of relief. I sat there shaking for the next 10 minutes - what an adrenaline rush! Miracle! And then I took that train home.
The weekend was so fun, and I'm so glad to have a friend in Boston to experience that neat city with. It has been fun to experience real friendship with Megan and I really enjoyed our nice chats, funny experiences, and lengthy (late night) discussions about life and struggles. Paul was also so appreciative of Megan for giving me some company and a nice distraction while he was out of the country. Win win win for everyone!
