

Anyhow, I digress ... in Shirley we caught the commuter train into Boston which brought us into North Station and a hop, skip, and a jump to the "T" to then head out to Mags' apartment. We arrived there just a little before 6:00 with just enough time to hop back on the "T" and head up to Tasca, the tapas restaurant that Mags and I went to on my first visit to see her. I had really enjoyed it then plus they had graciously sent me a $14 coupon as they were celebrating their 14th anniversary in July. Who knew I would actually have the chance to use it?!? Woohoo! Mags and I ordered a small pitcher of Sangria and thought it rather odd that the waitress asked Jamie if she would be having some, too. Uh ... hello? Does she really look that old? Jamie ordered a ginger ale instead, more in keeping with her age of 14!

In addition to their breakfast dishes, Jamie and Mags had both ordered Boston Cream Pie (yes, it's on the breakfast menu!) but I figured I would just sample some of Jamie's which she didn't mind and it turned out to be fantastic. They prepare it unlike any other Boston Cream Pie I've ever seen before but I figure if they invented it to begin with, they can dress it up any way they want! All in all, it was a very nice breakfast and I really enjoyed the ambiance of the dining room - as well as my breakfast company! My next goal for the Omni Parker House is to actually be able to spend the night there as rumor has it the third floor is haunted and that totally intrigues me!
From there it was back to Mags' where we hopped into her car and headed out to Revere Beach and the annual Sand Sculpting Competition that they have there. After driving around lost through the streets of East Boston for awhile, we were finally able to find the place and miraculously a parking spot opened up right before us. At that point it was getting hotter than a June bride on a featherbed (I love that saying!) and being by the shore didn't make one bit of difference as there was no breeze helping to cool things off.

We checked out the sand sculptures, which were all pretty cool, and then decided to forget trying to find Kelly's Famous Roast Beef where we had hoped to have lunch and try to find our way out of there instead. Leaving turned out to be much easier than getting there was - thank goodness! - and we eventually ended up at Panera Bread in Brookline for lunch. It was no Kelly's but it was good and gave us time to go back to Mags' to rest up a bit before catching the "T" back into Boston for our Evening Harbor Cruise that we had booked. Mags has this fantastic couch and I had no trouble drifting off for a nice little nap while Jamie spent a little time watching TV.

Continuing our cruise, we went past the U.S.S. Constitution, aka "Old Ironsides", where we got to witness the firing of the guns - which turned out to be one gun! - at sunset. It went off a little earlier than expected and surprised most of the people on board but it was still pretty neat. Seeing Boston from the harbor was wonderful and a great way to spend Saturday evening as it was a little cooler out on the water than it was in the city itself.
When we finally got back to Mags' apartment, it was after 11:00 and even though I would have liked nothing more than to collapse on that comfortable couch and call it a night, Jamie wanted to watch a scary movie so we ended up watching Stephen King's "Sleepwalkers". It really wasn't all that scary as for some reason most Stephen King stories don't seem to translate well to film but Jamie enjoyed it and we didn't turn off the TV until after 1:00 a.m. What a long day!
Around mid-afternoon Jamie and I thanked Mags for a wonderful weekend, bid her good-bye, and climbed on board the "T" for one final trip into Boston and back to North Station to catch our commuter train back to Shirley. While waiting for the train, Boston was hit with one heck of a thunderstorm that rattled the walls of the building around us while dumping gallons of water on the waiting trains. Good thing we didn't have to wait outside in that weather!
The train ride back to Shirley was uneventful though a little warm as the storm had knocked something out in the train that left us without lights and/or air-conditioning. By the time we got to Shirley, it was starting to get a bit warm and stuffy so I was glad we were at the end of the line for our adventure.
After leaving Jamie happily ensconced with her cousins in Shirley, I made the hour and a half drive home to Connecticut exhausted but happy. I think that Jamie had a really good time visiting both Boston and Mags and she can't wait to go back so we can go on the "Ghost and Graveyards" night tour that she saw offered. Perhaps that's something to think about for next summer when maybe by then I'll finally be rested up!
A big thank you and a cyber-hug to Mags for a truly fantastic weekend - it really was wicked awesome and you freakin' rock! Can't wait to see you in September!
I really enjoy you and Mags sharing your trip photos! Both of you are so good at sharing experiences I feel as thought I know a heck of a lot more than I did before reading! And Parker House rolls? And butter? Yummmmmm.
ReplyDelete~~~Blessings~~~
Holy Rip! You couldn't possibly have done ALL that in just a measly little weekend now, could you? You sure you didn't take more time off than that? WOW, I am really impressed with everything you were able to see and do! Wish I'd been there with you too since I've never been to Boston much less a New England Beach too!
ReplyDeleteI think you need a vacation from your vacation!
ReplyDeleteThey don't make 14 year olds like they did in our day. 14 year olds today look much more "mature"
Yawn! I got tired all over again looking at the pictures!!! :)
ReplyDeleteBTW-WTF am I doing in the picture with Jamie waiting for the light!?!
Amazing weekend! You had the best itinerary. You did all the right things. When you were at the Parker House you were just about 3 blocks from where I work! Yeah, Revere is the armpit of the nation.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice trip, Linda. I noticed that the artist making Euphoria statue is from Cleveland Hts. That's like half an hour from my house. What a small world...
ReplyDeletelovely weekend, i am so glad you got to go!
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
xxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
How fun Linda. I love the slideshow. Have a great day. Big hug. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tour. You squashed so much in such a short time.
ReplyDeleteYou were three busy gals, that's for sure. I feel like I was there with you on the adventure, Duchess Linda!
ReplyDeleteI was at the Parker House before it had "Omni" in its name. I was about 5 at the time. Boy I feel old..
I also love the slideshow!
Fabulous! And you've saved me paying for another airline ticket!
ReplyDeleteCheers
I am going to bed now. Just READING this post tired me out for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you girls had a good time, though. You got some great shots to (but we wouldn't expect anything less from you).
Hello I think you had a very wonderful trip. By reading this I feel as though I was with you in the adventure. Thats a very good job done by you.
ReplyDeleteI got tired just reading!
ReplyDelete