Boston & Plymouth

July 10, 2007

Boston

Marta aboard the Mayflower II



Jim

With Chris, Kari & the kids headed home to Colorado and the holiday behind us, we opted to take Marta into Boston for some sightseeing. She had never spent any appreciable time there other than at the airport and was excited to check out the city. Jim, Kathy, Marta and I took the T from Braintree into Boston, getting off downtown and walking across Boston Commons to the Prudential Building.

We had hoped to take one of the famous Duck tours, but they were sold out. Actually it turned out for the best as we were able to take in more than we might have if we’d have made it on the tour. Having Jim as a guide was entertaining and helpful, as he is so knowledgeable about the city, its architecture and history. We went up to the Top of the Hub restaurant at the top of the Prudential Tower for the view and a nice lunch.



Next we took the train down to the Museum of Fine Arts. This huge and wonderful museum was a perfect stop for Marta. They are hosting a mega-exhibit of the work of Edward Hopper. Hopper, one of the most popular 20th Century American artists, painted much of his life in New England, making this an almost hometown show. Of course this meant massive crowds at the exhibit, still it was pretty impressive. All of his most famous works were included, among them the renowned “Nighthawks”, which has become iconic in American culture.







After a lengthy visit to the museum, we headed back uptown to Faneuil Hall. Faneuil Hall is a collection of large market places that includes Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North and South Markets. A centerpiece of Boston history for more than 250 years, the marketplace continues to draw swells of tourists and we joined the throng as we looked through the shops and watched sidewalk entertainers before heading back to the train to return to Marshfield.



For the final morning of Marta’s visit, we drove her to nearby Plymouth where she was able to see the famous Plymouth Rock where the Pilgrims reportedly first stepped ashore and to visit the Mayflower II. The Mayflower II is an exact replica of the original Mayflower that the Pilgrims crossed the Atlantic aboard in 1620. After a quick lunch in Humarock, Marta was on her way to Logan for her trip home to Winston Salem.

Mayflower II

Marta at Plymouth Rock

My final day in Marshfield was bittersweet. Kathy, Jim & I attended the memorial celebration of the life of Jim’s good friend Harry Edgeworth who passed away recently. Harry was a wonderful person, it was just last year that Kathy & I attended his son Michael’s wedding while we were in Marshfield and now we were back at the Edgeworth home for another party, this time for a much more somber occasion. The mood was more a celebration of Harry’s life and it was fitting that so many people could gather to celebrate a truly remarkable life.

Harry

Remembering Harry

Afterwards, Kathy & I joined Aunt Kathy for a trip to the sauna at UKTS in Pembroke. The sauna is a wonderful place to relax and unwind and it was perfect place to end my visit. I had to catch a 5:40 AM flight back to Key West on Sunday morning. Kathy & India remained, not having to return so quickly to the working world. Kathy plans to spend the week visiting friends and family before driving back to Key West.

The Sauna

Sunset at UKTS

http://www.topofthehub.net/

http://www.mfa.org/

http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/

http://pilgrims.net/plymouth/history/mayflower.html

http://www.uktshome.com/

July 4th!!!

July 5, 2007






July 4th!!





For the second year in a row, we have had the good fortune to experience July 4th festivities on the beach in Marshfield, technically Humarock, Massachusetts. Here the fireworks displays are all amateur and are held on the beach on the night of July 3rd. The weather was perfect for the incredible displays and bonfires which are tradition here. Thousands of people gather and pile huge heaps of wood for the massive bonfires which light the beach. It’s really one of those things that need to be experienced, descriptions and photographs do not begin to do it justice.





Sophie

We headed over to the beach about 6 PM with a large crowd to enjoy the action. We found a good space, started a small fire and watched in anticipation of the show. Thanks to Kathy’s fireworks buying extravaganza, we had plenty of our own fireworks to launch. Kathy’s sister Julie and her husband Alan were down from Brookline, sadly Bayla is away at camp in Mexico, so we missed seeing her this year. Hi Bayla! In addition a number of Chris’s friends joined us, so we had a large group. The fireworks lasted for hours and we stayed late watching, so late that we got snared in the massive traffic jam attempting to use the single open bridge across the river. It took us well over an hour to travel a mile or so back to Jim’s house where we found India cowering in fear of all the explosions. She is not a big fan of fireworks.

Alan & Julie

Canoe trip!

July 4th was a beautiful day; we spent the morning swimming at the river, taking a canoe down which we used to bring Marta and a picnic across the river to the beach. It was a perfect beach day, sunny and warm and the kids played in the surf and sand, while the rest of us relaxed.

Chris, Kari, Sophie & James

Burying James

For dinner we headed over to the home of Kathy’s Aunt Kathy & Uncle Al in Scituate for a wonderful get-together that included an amazing Mexican buffet meal as well as the great company which included more of Kathy’s relatives, her Aunt Judy & Uncle Phil. It was one big Kilroy family gathering, with Marta and a scattering of friends and neighbors as well. It was another in a string of great parties for us. There was a slight threat of rain, but it held off and we had a wonderful time. Thanks to Kathy & Al’s wifi, I was able to post a couple of blog updates. Their home once again serving our internet needs.





Fish Pond