Last weekend I made a second attempt to get to the Blue Hills for some nearby hiking with a friend from work. Tim couldn't come, but that was probably best since without a car (and we didn't think to bring bikes), public transportation there was really spotty and we ended up walking an additional 3.5 miles along a small highway after our 6 mile trail in the reservation to get back to the subway. Yes, it's nice not to have a car, but last weekend it sure would have been convenient.
Then I worked 20 hours in 2 days so we could take Wed-Fri to travel to New Jersey to see Trip and Kira Campbell for Trip's birthday. Here's an example of public transportation being pretty dang convenient, although a car would have surely gotten us there faster. Still, pretty nice and pretty cheap.
We left early Wednesday morning on the BOLTBus to NYC ($15 with WiFi!). We explored Greenwich Village for the first time and went on a mad hunt for Bob Dylan's old home playing grounds, the Gaslight Cafe. We ended up finding its original location although, it's now a club.
This club is across the street from the old Gaslight
On the way we found the Pinkberry frozen yogurt chain that's such a fad in California - and WE SEE WHY! Oh my that yogurt was soooo yummmy. Especially with fresh raspberries and coconut on top! We also took up a friend's recommendation for Johnny's pizza. It was pretty good, but I don't think we're that big of fans of good 'ol New York pizza.
We traveled another 1.5 hours to the small town of Phillipsburg, located among rolling hills and farmland near the PA border. Very green and very beautiful. It was nice to be hanging out with a real family with real kids and real pets and a real backyard.
Asher being silly with his berries
One of Anya's many 4-yr old faces
We played tons of fun games, including the old 80's Hotels game which
Tim was longing to revisit.
We explored the vineyard where Kira works, tasting lots of great wine.
We grilled brats and sat around a backyard fire late into the night and talked about good food and books. It was a relaxing trip and we're thankful to our friends for having us!
Happy birthday, Trip!
Since Tim had to work on the 4th, I explored Boston solo on my bike. I heard the Declaration of Independence read from the old State House downtown.
Then I followed crowds to Fenuil Hall and on to Long Wharf where I happened upon the USS Constitution taking its annual voyage around Boston Harbor, pulled by tugboats.
Built I think in 1812, it's still manned by an active Navy crew (mostly for tours, but hey). Unfortunately it's under 'renovation' so sails were down and the top wooden deck was covered in black plastic. Nice.
I then headed to Fort Independence on Castle Island in South Boston.
And there are beaches down there! Only a couple of miles from us. We finished the day with a picnic on the Esplanade (Charles River area) listening to the Pops and Neil Diamond briefly in the distance before heading to Whitney's nearby rooftop to view the fireworks with 40 other strangers. But it was all in all a festive and fun day. And the first day without any sort of water falling from the sky in we can't remember how long! Finally, much belated, but finally.
This week I start back in to summer classes, and we await the visits of my sister Becka and friend Meag. Bring it on!
Kay and Steve from CO
Becka
Meago
And good food...veggie pizza with summer squash, chard and mozzerella fresh from our summer CSA farm share. yum.
Last weekend I made a second attempt to get to the Blue Hills for some nearby hiking with a friend from work. Tim couldn't come, but that was probably best since without a car (and we didn't think to bring bikes), public transportation there was really spotty and we ended up walking an additional 3.5 miles along a small highway after our 6 mile trail in the reservation to get back to the subway. Yes, it's nice not to have a car, but last weekend it sure would have been convenient.
Then I worked 20 hours in 2 days so we could take Wed-Fri to travel to New Jersey to see Trip and Kira Campbell for Trip's birthday. Here's an example of public transportation being pretty dang convenient, although a car would have surely gotten us there faster. Still, pretty nice and pretty cheap.
We left early Wednesday morning on the BOLTBus to NYC ($15 with WiFi!). We explored Greenwich Village for the first time and went on a mad hunt for Bob Dylan's old home playing grounds, the Gaslight Cafe. We ended up finding its original location although, it's now a club.
This club is across the street from the old Gaslight
On the way we found the Pinkberry frozen yogurt chain that's such a fad in California - and WE SEE WHY! Oh my that yogurt was soooo yummmy. Especially with fresh raspberries and coconut on top! We also took up a friend's recommendation for Johnny's pizza. It was pretty good, but I don't think we're that big of fans of good 'ol New York pizza.
We traveled another 1.5 hours to the small town of Phillipsburg, located among rolling hills and farmland near the PA border. Very green and very beautiful. It was nice to be hanging out with a real family with real kids and real pets and a real backyard.
Asher being silly with his berries
One of Anya's many 4-yr old faces
We explored the vineyard where Kira works, tasting lots of great wine.
Since Tim had to work on the 4th, I explored Boston solo on my bike. I heard the Declaration of Independence read from the old State House downtown.
Then I followed crowds to Fenuil Hall and on to Long Wharf where I happened upon the USS Constitution taking its annual voyage around Boston Harbor, pulled by tugboats.
Built I think in 1812, it's still manned by an active Navy crew (mostly for tours, but hey). Unfortunately it's under 'renovation' so sails were down and the top wooden deck was covered in black plastic. Nice.
I then headed to Fort Independence on Castle Island in South Boston.
And there are beaches down there! Only a couple of miles from us. We finished the day with a picnic on the Esplanade (Charles River area) listening to the Pops and Neil Diamond briefly in the distance before heading to Whitney's nearby rooftop to view the fireworks with 40 other strangers. But it was all in all a festive and fun day. And the first day without any sort of water falling from the sky in we can't remember how long! Finally, much belated, but finally.
