Let's step back in time X

First mention of food (other than chowdah).

So... after the walk in the garden we rested some and got ready for dinner. We had decided to go to a historical place so we went to Union Oyster House, where were seated across from a national landmark.

We were slightly less than enthusiastic about our meals. GS and I had been there once before (in 2006) and were more impressed then. The cornbread was great and the water wasn't half bad.

more about food later

...and then there's this

No, I don't know if it's boy or girl...
but Hugh's going to have a sibling.
Now that there's a picture it's official.

yeah it's cool

Let's step back in time IX or darn it, I'm slow

I've been doing everything bassackwards lately. Normally Usually this post would be up by a little after 7am [I might even have written it yesterday]. Anyway there's a lot going on and everythings kinda sideways. There's no tellin' when that might be remedied.

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After my swell friend dropped us at the hotel we met up with Cuz and Mrs Cuz and went for a walk.
We walked through Boston Common, past the noisy T hole at Boylston station, over to Beacon Street. Just across from the Public Garden is, The Place Where Everybody Knows Your Name.
After a cool beverage and an inning or two of watching the Red Sox on TV we crossed into the Public Garden. Just one of the highlights is the sculptured tribute to the story Make Way for Ducklings. I already posted some other duck sculpture photos. I probably have some better ones, but this was the first view.
After watching everyone in Boston climb all over the duck sculpture we wandered further into the garden to see the other highlight, the Swan Boats.
After that we walked back to the hotel to get ready for dinner...

why haven't we discussed the food?

Let's step back in time VIII

We call it slumming [I just hope nobody thinks I mean that literally]. No, I don't mean we went to church on Sunday.
We actually did non-touristy things. Things that everyone does when they're at home on the weekend. We went to the park. We had to ride the "T." Specifically we road the Red Line to Central Square in Cambridge, walked about two blocks to a bus stop, where the clocks on the church [First Baptist Church of Cambridge] were really whack, and caught the bus to Smith Playground to find out how the natives really live.
Everyone knows the best way to observe natives is to watch them at play.
The local pros even showed to scout the game.
Then we were asked to take a team picture.
The natives are friendly.
How he managed to take this picture while holding that camera has me absolutely confounded. Then this swell friend arranged it so we didn't have to figure out how to get back where we started.
So we actually met Roddy the Wondercar.

men in black?

♫♪♫ Do you know the way to MFA ♫♪♫

Think San Jose and Dionne Warwick and you just may have an earworm after reading the title.


But on with the tale...

After another flower or two...

...we continued on our way, past Northeastern University. Finally arriving at the Museum of Fine Art.


One of the first things I discovered is that some Major League Baseball players have other occupations...
...and are a lot older than they appear. [he could come over and paint my house, and maybe we could have a game of catch]

Then we went looking for Ganesh (don't ask why ...curiosity?).


There is so much to see at the MFA that some folks...
...well, see for yourself.



They were just all "up in the air."

can't take some kids people anywhere

Whoa baby!

Last night's sunset was pretty darn spectacular. But I didn't get a decent picture because I got outside too late. Tonight it was even more haunting.
The smoke from the North Pass Fire to the west has created some eerie skies.
The most commercially damaging fire around here has been pretty much knocked down should be 100% contained tomorrow. There are still three other, besides the North Pass Fire that are still burning, but they are under federal management and information is shoddy, at best.

Where were we?

In Santa Clara... but that's not what I meant. It's an entirely different story that may or may not be told when... and if... the trip to Boston ever finishes. I can tell you that it was a surprise 65th Birthday party for Cuz's middle brother, Cuz2, and that Cuz's youngest brother, Cuz3 was there with his wife and my sisters were there and it was like a family reunion only there were about 200 other there, too. Next year we're going to a baseball game with just family... and we're not going to wait for somebody to have a birthday.


I've mentioned the tour trolleys. Below is one on which we are actually riding. We drove past the John Hancock building, holding our breath for fear the windows might start falling out again, and saw our reflection.
I took advantage.
I'm guessing the folks standing on the sidewalk never heard the window story.

Then we made a left turn and some of us thought we were on the wrong trolley.
But we were only headed west on Huntington Avenue. It was time to visit the Museum of Fine Art (aka MFA).
There was only one catch. We would either have to walk from Mary Baker Eddy's place*, catch the T, catch a bus, or walk.
We opted to walk. On the way we passed an art supply shop, where Mrs. Cuz browsed for some water colors. I took advantage by stopping to take some pictures (about seven) of the landscaping and flowers.



Finally, we escaped and continued to the MFA.

*that, Saturday's and yesterday's were stealth posts because it was written long before we ever left home
the untitled posts were add-ins

love acronyms

Boston's a funny town

Well now I've gone and done it, broke one of my unwritten rules [well, I probably wrote about it].
I wrote the title before the post thereby either limiting the topic or appearing to be a total dunce [shut up!].

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I mean it's haha funny, not peculiar funny. Though it may be that, too.
The tour trolly guys (I didn't see any lady tour trolley drivers), and the narrator on the harbor cruise each pointed out that about every landmark in Boston had been given some kind of "obvious" name. The No Name Restaurant got it's name because whenever he was asked the name of his place, the owner said, "No Name!" That's only one of many examples. Fenway's another. It's built out by a fen (I say the Fen, but I guess that might irritate folks who live near other fens).

That reminds me that in San Diego there was a pub across the street from the Sports Arena named, That Place Across The Street From The Sports Arena. The locals shortened it to "That Place."

Then there's the SF Peninsula. Besides the obvious major roads and highways taking folks from town to town, there is a road the locals use. It makes it way through mostly residential areas but it it four lanes and traffic moves fairly well. The Alameda de las Pulgas runs from San Mateo on the north almost to the Santa Clara County line, where it merges with Santa Cruz Avenue and the name changes to Junipero Serra Blvd. A literal translation of Alameda de las Pulgas would be flea mall.

So I guess Boston's not the only funny town.

The folks who visit can be funny, too.



Photo ops are where you find them.

and some can be published

If I want to make fun of someone...

see this

think Wyoming instead of NJ

Let's step back in time VII

Then we went to have some chowdah...and people watch [I won't say what they were doing, but I have pictures and will, for a small fee send you one].

There were lots and lots of people to watch. After a bit we hopped the trolley again and rode around.

Finally we walked back to our hotel, passing this place for about the bazillionth time [there're more pics if you want to see them].

Read this for a giggle

unless you're from Pennsylvania

This is a stealth post

GS and I are hitting the road this morning. I can't tell you why until later because it's a secret family thing we only get to do once and I'm not going to be the one to blow it.
It's going to be fun, too because it's a secret family thing.
I can't even tell you where we're going because it's a secret family thing.

Maybe this picture of the First Church of Christ, Scientist and the big church behind it, too... and the Mary Baker Eddy Library & Museum
...and there's a humongous reflecting pool I didn't get a picture of.

oh, well

Heh!

Global warming?


Check the date and time [after you click to enlarge]

I'll admit I was really tempted

Awhile back I posted about not gloating when my team wins. Last night the Giants beat the Dodgers for the third game in a row, sweeping the series on the road.
I wouldn't even mention this, but there are certain local folk whose origins are in the southern part of the state and, thus, have an affinity, that borders on worship, for the Dodgers. Prior to this series they spent a lot of time chirping.
I'm hearing nothing now.

so yeah,
feeling smug,
momentarily

Let's step back in time VI

So we boarded the boat and tooled around Boston Harbor, seeing sights from a nautical perspective.
Downtown...

Fish Pier, where we heard for about the third time how Boston has a unique system for naming things, like the No Name [we've been there, but not this trip].

East Boston reminded me of a limerick. (this is a clickable image ...well the others are, too, but this one's better)

Charlestown has the Bunker Hill Monument (on Breed's Hill)...

...and the Boston Navy Yard.
We were here just a week too soon. The following weekend Old Ironsides was pushed out into the outer harbor and was underway.

"missed it by that much"

I received an email yesterday

Cuz informed me of this

My response was, "We've been going there for years."
It's kind of true. We went twice in 2006 and twice this year.
It would be the oldest restaurant in Boston, but the Union Oyster House is the oldest restaurant in the U.S.


On the home front:
The irony is the smoke is from fires southwest of here in the Coast Range abou50 mile away. The smoke from the nearby fires is blowing over into Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho.


Still on the home front:

click this image to enlarge

The sky was red... like what they warn sailors about ... at 7pm.

sure is eerie

Let's step back in time V

When you're on vacation, days kinda run together. I do know however that the photos are in sequence.
We all boarded one of the ubiquitous tour trolleys that seem to run about every 15 minutes and are driven by refugees from open mike night at the comedy palace. . We purchased a two day pass.

As our vehicle crossed the Charles River, the guide pointed out the tallest building in Boston and the second tallest building in Boston. Later on the tour it was mentioned that a number of the windows had fallen from the tallest building once. It was not mentioned whether or not the was some kind of mix up between putty and...



Included in the trolley tour is a harbor cruise from Long Wharf (which isn't so long now because of landfill). So we waited by the Chart House and Custom House...



...until our ride appeared.

were reassured when it was not named Minnow

Let's step back in time IV

This was the first duck we saw in Boston.
It was at Jakey's, probably one of my most favorite eateries in the known [by me] universe. While not an actual sculpture, it bears a resemblance, it was immediately above my head when we sat down for lunch on our first day.

All of the other photos from day one have been posted.


The past several days have seen a few 'extra posts' because of the current conditions around here, what with the temperatures and fires. I will try not to bore anyone with this information [or any more pictures]. The local media is doing a fine job [take that any way you wish]. And CalFire has given us a map.


One of the advantages of being on the West Coast is all of the bloggers [other than Buck] in the other time zones have posted their thoughts for the day. Sometimes I get some good ideas for posts. Then there are days like today.


We went to Sacramento yesterday and visited with my daughter and family. Here is the obligatory picture of the perfect grandson.
Learning to play pick up sticks from a docent at Old Sacramento.

yes, it does say Boston on the red hat