Boston Days

Drink of Choice here in Mass.

Our week with Aunt Lillian was adventure-packed.  Weds. morning we arrived at Logan Airport and she was there right after we claimed our bags.  Our drive to Woburn was  uneventful, but Dave was correct in his assessment of the roads being bumpy.

Lillian doing accounting, Dave on skype call w/Stephanie

We stopped for brunch since we were starving from our cross-country flight. Another stop at the Meineke Shop to meet with Robert, then home.
  We got to Lillian's house which is a comfy duplex adjacent to her son Roland, wife Jane and son-in-residence Zack.  We went over and Dave immediately helped in the installation of their new big screen TV and later went with Roland to the Lumber Liquidators to pick up laminate for their flooring project.  We settled into our new digs and had an early dinner.

Dave walking near Boston Aquarium

  Thursday we got up early and went with Lill into Boston - she dropped us at Faneuil Hall while she attended a class.  We had a ball walking through the food courts which were already loaded with any type of food you'd want and it was only 9am!  We grabbed a coffee and walked over to the Aquarium and watched the harbor traffic go by.  We eventually ended up at a bar having a Bloody Mary and Lill joined us for one.
  Next we ventured around by car looking at the sights, Beacon Hill, city hall, the steaming teapot and then we headed over to Chelsea St. to eat at one of the hot spots: Santarpio's Pizza.  Lill was right - they do have amazing pizza and the waiters aren't bad, either.  Lunch and a show!  As we drove around, the rain hit. We decided to view another landmark, The Christmas Tree store! What a cool place, kind of a mix of liquidation center, drugstore and Bed Bath & Beyond. Fun.  When we returned to the house, Dave headed over to help Roland install the flooring.  He loves helping with projects, as you know.

Uncle James and all the 'Boys'

Saturday the family got together up at Willie's house in New Hampshire.  Dave says that they all picked up where they left off 20 years ago...just grayer and a little wiser. It was a super humid evening - Willie couldn't even get a fire started!  I took this photo above and it says it all...Dave surrounded by his cousins and Uncle James holding court...what a ball of energy!

Sunday we drove out to Gloucester and viewed the famous fishing village.  Very picturesque - and lots of dogs. I think all of Mass comes down to the coast to walk their dogs on Sunday!

Dog walking in Gloucester

Hammond Castle

 Just south of the main town of Gloucester, there is Hammond Castle -  it's amazing to see in a fairly small village.  We walked around the outside since it was a warm day.
 We ate at The Causeway Restaurant that serves so much food, you can bring home dinner for the week - that's after you have a 45 minute wait with some of the most colorful types on the East coast...totally amusing and delicious! Mussels, clams and a fried mixed seafood platter were eaten. Yum! I don't think Lill will ever get the smell of garlic out of her refrigerator after we brought home the clam linguini.:-)  We drove up to Rockport and decided not to get out there...the roads were packed with people, even thought it's for cars.

  We spent the evening with Johnnie and Karen at the family home.  What a comfy place.  Since we had pigged out on seafood earlier, we had a light chicken salad and some awesome Napa Cab's.  I've always heard of  'The Cellar', so I got to finally take a tour.  Oh yes, I'd say he's got a few pricey bottles.  Very nice!

  The rest of the week was spent touring Lexington and Concord, pigging out on Lobster and another fun night spent at Johnnie and Karen's.  All too soon we were dropped at the South Boston Amtrack station to begin our transit to France.

Thank you, Aunt Lilllian!