Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  We've had a full day, capped off by fireworks over Boston Harbor.  But first...

Okay, we're even!  Mimi spent a couple of hours Saturday at the genealogy library with me, so I spent a couple of hours today at the Boston Aquarium.  I am completely creeped out by the most "normal" fish, and then throw in some eels, piranhas, and leafy sea dragons (Google this one -- you'll have nightmares!), and I'm sick to my stomach.  At least, thought I, we'll get to see some frolicking penguins and playful seals...  Nope.  The penguins are "on vacation" at an undisclosed location while the aquarium is remodeled, and the sea lions are in an outdoor (hence, 25 degrees) habitat, and not too playful!
The city is very festive preparing for "First Night."  There are ice sculptures and parades and lots of people.  We walked and window-shopped, and even joined in part of the tour of the historic building we're staying in.

We ate dinner at Ruth's Chris (mostly on Mimi's can money!).  So good, and in a beautiful location -- the old City Hall.  Then we walked around town (still in the high 20's, low 30's, but less wind so more bearable) a little before warming up with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin.  Finally, off to the observation deck on the roof, overlooking Boston Harbor for some snacks, a little champs, quite a bit of shivering, and a great fireworks show.

A fabulous start to 2013!  Happy New Year to all.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? J.B. Priestly

It snowed and the wind blew all night last night, so we awoke to a beautiful, white wonderland.  Then we ventured out!  The temperature was in the 20's, with the wind-chill (and believe me, there was a chill wind!) was in the teens.  We walked a few blocks, trying to visit with our old friend from the Wentworth, Abigail Stephens (she's now catering mgr. at the Langham Hotel -- but she was not in).  After a brief reprieve in the hotel, we went back out into the cold.

Strolling through Boston on a snowy morning

 Another few blocks and we retreated happily into the "T".  You've gotta love the mass transit in this city.  We've used it to get all over town (and to get out of the cold!).  Had brunch at the top of the Prudential Building (52nd floor) -- our meal of the day :).  Great meal, and you can't beat the view.

We had considered tickets to the Patriots' Game this afternoon, but decided against it when we saw the weather forecast.  After the start of the game was delayed by 3 hours, and the temperature stayed in the teens (with seats full of snow), we were relieved to have the best seats in the house -- cuddled down in front of the tv in our room!  Go Pats!

On the Road Again... Boston, December 2012

Arrived in Boston yesterday.  Braved the cold (30 degrees) last night to stroll around Quincy Market, do a little shopping, grab a bite to eat, and watch a music/light show at the giant Christmas tree in the square.

We're staying at the Custom House -- beautiful building, great accommodations, perfect location.
Today, we took the T to Boston Commons and walked around town to Newbury Street -- the high-end shopping area.  Stopped into shops to get warm as the weather worked itself up to snow.  We did a little hat shopping :).

Just starting to snow!

Do you like my hat?

I do, I do, I do like your hat!

 Then we went to the New England Genealogical Society Library.  I wish I could have taken a picture of the genealogist who helped (yelled at, pressured, freaked out) us!  Let's just say that Ichabod Crane lives, and he lives in the Genealogy library in Boston!  I'd planned on taking a quick look-see, but Ichabod grilled me about all of the ancestors (WHO WAS HIS WIFE?  WHY DO YOU HAVE ALL THESE SIBLINGS?  YOU WANT A DIRECT LINE!  YOU MUST HAVE A BETTER MEMORY IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS WORK!  WHY DO ALL YOU YOUNG PEOPLE THINK YOU CAN DO THIS ON YOUR LAPTOPS?  YOU NEED PAPER!  DON'T YOU KNOW THAT A REAM OF PAPER IS EASIER TO CARRY THAN A LAPTOP?) and brought out a stack of books to the ceiling for me to look through and copy!  I did my best to take some notes (sans paper!), and when he finally went on a coffee break, we hightailed it out of there.  I did find some interesting information, and hope to go back (more prepared!) later in the week.

We had a great, early, dinner at the Parish Cafe, and are hunkered down in our room watching the snow storm outside.  It's kind of amazing that the entire Boston newscast is about this storm (we counted the weather guy saying the word "snow" 18 times in one segment).  It's just like when in rains in Southern California.  Don't they expect snow in winter in Massachusetts?