Goodbye, Boston (In Photos)

On our last morning in the city, we hoped to have a lobster roll for lunch and maybe wander around Boylston and Newbury streets. These are big time eating and shopping streets in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. We never did get that lobster roll, mainly because I slept in and then took my sweet time heating up leftover Chinese food and pasta for breakfast; it was still delicious and I don’t feel bad about it, so don’t even ask (ew yuck, Chinese food for breakfast?! Yes, haters). But we did have time for a little photo walk through the surrounding Boston streets.

By the time I got up and moving (and showered, yes I actually showered, as much as I didn’t want to), we didn’t have too long before our flight, so we strolled over to these two streets to see a touch more of the city. I practiced a bit with my camera despite the lack of beautiful lighting due to cloudy skies and sleet (thanks for the send-off, Boston). Charlie even put up with waiting around for me and having to move out of the way a lot. Well, he did make it into a few photos… He acts like he doesn’t like it, but I think he secretly loves admiring his glamour shots.

While it’s super touristy, a bunch of our friends recommended that we go on a duck boat tour because it’s supposed to be a great way to see the whole city. However, because of the ridiculous Boston weather, they were only offering the land portion of the tour – yes, the beauty of a duck boat is that it can transport you on land and water, thus the name. We didn’t do the tour, but I did see one of the boats. Actually, it was only at this point (in the middle of the road no less) that I understood the amphibious nature of these “boats.” I can be very slow sometimes.

Newbury Street is full of high end shops, the usual expensive stuff that you can find in any big city, but the buildings that they are set in are old, colorful, and lovely, with some of the shops even underground. With the weather as it was and it being a Monday, there weren’t too many people around, and I was able to snap lots of photos on the sidewalk without being a complete nuisance. Charlie did have to jerk me out of the way of a few unsuspecting pedestrians though. (“Rachel, be aware of yourself!”). I usually find a way to be a nuisance.

I apologize for the lack of food photos in this post (or am I apologizing to myself?). It saddens me that we weren’t able to cram in one more meal during our last day, but Charlie is big on being on time for flights. I can’t even tell you my disappointment in having to eat WENDY’S (!!!) at the airport before we took off. I did have one last glimmer of hope that we’d be able to grab a lobster roll at the Legal Seafood branch in the terminal, but when I saw that even a cold lobster wrap to-go was $26, I thought the better of it. Yes, I do know that lobster is expensive, but if I’m going to pay for it, I’d like it on a buttered bun, loaded down with lobster meat and mayo, thanks.

With all of the brick, old buildings, and churches, you do feel quite patriotic strolling around Boston when you think about the history here… especially when you see the flag.

There were still piles of snow everywhere and it was 36 degrees out, so that stuff wasn’t melting any time soon. I think we’ll to have to return when it’s warm to see Boston in all her glory. (I wasn’t sad at all when our plane landed in RDU and we headed out into a sunny day with blue skies and 65 degree temperatures. I texted Boston local Anderson to tell him this fact, and he responded, “Monster.”)

Instead of a final meal, we headed one last time to the Boston Public Garden. We’d already passed through it on our first day in the city and discovered just how crazy the squirrels here are. Seriously, they would jump up and grab things from your hand, get nearly into your lap, and even bite people (though probably accidentally). I squatted down to take pictures on my phone, giggling along with several Asian tourists, and the squirrels would run up thinking I had snacks for them. I thought squirrels in Chapel Hill were nuts (haha, jokes!) but these were the most unafraid squirrels I’ve ever seen. Alas, they weren’t out and about on Sunday so I don’t have any snaps of them. Just some photos of the frozen lake, weeping willows, footpaths, and a stoic Charles, of course.

Really, this is after it had warmed up a bit that weekend. The first day we visited the park, we couldn’t even walk down half of the paths because they were covered in snow and ice. I know, I know, I sound like one of them [Bostonians] still talking about the weather. (“Hey did you know we broke the record?!” Yeah man, like it’s not national f’n news…)

But seriously, on a rare non-cynical note, doesn’t the picture below just make you want to cry?

Later, Boston! I really enjoyed my long weekend here and I promise this is the last blog post I’ll milk out of that experience. Thanks for the good food and fun! Maybe I’ll see you again when you’re in your summer clothes!

Have you guys ever been to Boston? In the winter? Did you like it? Happy Weekend!