Wicked Cool Boston!

Boston is now on my list of favorite places to visit...especially in the fall!  I love this place!  Jason, Alex, Meredith, and I just got home from visiting for a few days and I can't even begin to tell you my favorite parts! The city is infused with history, beautiful sites, shopping, lots of great restaurants, and everything is within walking distance.  It is one of my favorite cities by far (other than Paris and Zurich, of course)!  I just felt at home there...it was eery.  It is such a big city, which makes me think only about hustle and bustle...but the charm of the city made me want to stay!

Jason and Alex are fortunate enough to work for a medical center that really encourages growth, so this annual conference was primarily for that.  However, we have lots of fun in between all the meetings!  On Sunday, the conference team set up an outing to a nearby location.  This year we were able to go to Maine for a lobster and clam bake, as well as, take a ride up the coast to visit a lighthouse.  We shopped, ate the best clam chowder EVER, and enjoyed the beautiful sites.  It was breathtaking!

Yummy CHOWDA!

Mert and Alex slurping down some clams and muscles

 Somehow Alex and I became band members while we were there! 

I was having a little too much fun banging the tamporine

Standing in front of the firepit that heated the food

Our stop in Maine at the lighthouse

Alex trying to model 

Look closely...that seagull is taking bread right out of Mert's hand 

Seaside at Ouinquit, Maine 

The rest of the week I spent most of my time shopping and seeking out every possible historical marker I could.  It was so exciting!  I had to continually remind myself that I wasn't able to head home to play with Ansley or that I didn't have to come up with the dinner menu.  It was just "me" time while Jason was in meetings during the day.  It was so relaxing!  Unfortunately, Ansley was very sick while we were gone (running about 103 degree fever), so it was hard to relax completely (thankfully she is on the mend now)!

At the Marriot lookout

On Tuesday, Jason and I decided to explore the Freedom Trail.  We had a guide who helped us take a step back in time...to remember those historical events that shaped our country, and he made it fun!  We were able to see the Boston Massacre site, Paul Revere's house, the tombs of John Hancock and Sam Adams, the Meeting House (where Sam Adams got the Son's of Liberty to start the Boston Tea Party), Boston Commons, and many other great sites!

The Massachusetts State House...that is real gold on the top!

The funny thing is...the house to the left was a supposed to be the Governor's mansion.  However, John Hancock didn't put his John Hancock on his will and now Massechusetts doesn't have one! 

Love the architecture of this building

My view from the Marriot

It's amazing to think that the water once came up to the Old State House building!  And the Boston Massacre happened one block in front of it!  The crazy thing, there was a misunderstanding over a wig not being paid for, which caused the Boston Massacre! 

 

Paul Revere's house...it used to be yellow and housed all 16 children!

Faneuil Hall
The grasshopper on the very top is for national security. If you didn't know about the grasshopper, you were usually detained and questioned...everyone knew about the insect on top!

 I would have to say my favorite part of our trip was our walk through the Public Garden after a great evening of quality time and great food. The lushness of the gardens was beautiful...the weeping willows were my favorite.  It was a scene right out of a movie!  That would be most memorable for me.

         We loved our time in Boston/Maine and can't wait to get back!  We are definitely looking forward to our next trip there!