Had I not been walking in Boston, I would have missed this bodacious baboon who was advertising a play near Paul Revere’s house in North Boston.
My favorite way to see a city is to walk. Actually, it is my favorite way to see anything. You miss a great deal in a car, or on a tour bus, or by using public transit. Even a bicycle has its limits, especially in a city where you are busy dodging cars and trucks. But with walking you can lollygag, stop when you want, or put on a burst of speed if you have to be somewhere. You may laugh at the latter, but you have never been with Peggy when she decides to take off. It’s zippity-doo-dah time. Strong hikers have been known to whine about keeping up.
I’ve shown you a fair amount of historical Boston in my last three Boston blogs. Today I am going to wrap up the series and feature some of the photos Peggy and I captured that didn’t fit into the first three blogs. Enjoy.
Ma Duck was all dressed up in her Christmas cap, as were her ducklings.
Quincy Market backs up to Faneuil Hall. The trees in its plaza were beautifully lit for the season.
Built in the early 1800s, Quincy Market is now crammed full of market-stall type restaurants filled with tempting goodies. The people were waiting for performances by a high school band and a high school chorus.
The goodies inside included these candy apples. There is something for everyone, including M&M covered apples. Hmmm.
Peggy and I visited the Market twice since it was close to our hotel: once at night when it was packed and then early in the morning when this photo was taken.
Some kids came by to play this piano while we were sitting in the market drinking coffee. I really like the idea of having a “Play Me, I’m Yours,” piano available. The kids were really good. It turned out they were from the band playing outside.
This is what we saw looking up from our seats.
The band outside warms up. Literally. Soon afterwards it started to snow.
The nearby Commonwealth Bookstore pulled us in with this display.
I knew it was a good bookstore when I found Leo. I am convinced that any bookstore with a cat is a good bookstore. The sign requested that customers please refrain from poking or prodding Leo. “Gentle patting and chin scratching” were fine.
The Boston Public Market was just a few blocks away from the Quincy Market.
Winter squash and turnips were among the vegetables featured.
The turnips…
We found this sculpture by American Sculpture Dimitri Hadzi in front of the John F. Kennedy Federal Building and I confess it had me scratching my head. Research told me that it represented the last man standing at Thermopylae where the Spartans fought the Persians until there was only one Spartan left. I am still scratching my head.
Down on the edge of the Commons we checked out the Park Street Subway System. We had been told that Boston provides excellent mass transit. I found myself wondering whether Charlie was still stuck on the MTA.(Kingston Trio song). “But did he ever return? No he never returned. And his fate is still unlearned.” Sing it if you know it!
We didn’t find Charlie but we did find this ceramic mosaic commemorating the opening of the line. The artist, Lili Ann Rosenberg lived in the Applegate Valley of Oregon where I presently live later in her life. The Ruch Library where Peggy serves as president of the Friends of the Ruch Library features one of her ceramic works.
Meet Doodle (as in cock-o-doodle-do). Doodle resides in our front yard and was created by Jeremy Crisswell, a well-known ceramic artist in our area who worked as an apprentice under Lili Ann.
The back side of Doodle.
Peggy and I hiked down to the New England Genealogical Society on Newbury Street to renew my membership and do a little research.
The Society has been a good source of information about my mother’s ancestors in Windsor, Connecticut (the Marshalls). This is Eliakim who was born in the early 1700s and was an Elder in the Windsor church. I am hoping that the Society will have information on the Mekemsons as well. Interesting headstone, eh?
Newbury is filled with exclusive shops, such as this one for women who have ‘a pea in the pod.’ Looks like more than a pea to me.
This area was once part of the bay but was filled in by chopping off the tops of Boston’s higher hills. Once filled in, it became a location for very expensive homes competing with Beacon Hill for the wealthy of Boston. This one has been converted to shops.
There are more photos, always, but I will conclude my Boston series with this picture of the old Custom’s Building. The hands on the clock are made of copper covered California redwood.
NEXT BLOGS:
Wednesday: It’s time for the next post in the Sierra Trek series where I am accused of running a pot-smoking-orgy in the mountains. Woohoo!
Friday: More of the fantastic mutant vehicles/art cars of Burning Man.
Monday: Remember Sully, the pilot who saved the lives of his passengers by landing on the Hudson River in New York City? We are going to check out his plane. It now resides in a museum in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s amazing that it floated.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
Wandering through Time and Place 
Great rundown. Boston is wonderful. A great city to walk in and see the sites. And eat the treats…
Treats yes, Carrie! Glad to see you back blogging again. –Curt
Thanks. 🙂 I’m not really back to it. Will occasionally post updates and quick health tips, that’s all. But I like to pop in and read blog posts when I can. Hope you’re well!
Doing great here, Carrie. How goes the life of the author? –Curt
It’s going. But never as quickly as we want it to…
🙂
Boston is high on my list of places to visit if I ever do get to the US. You’ve confirmed it’s a must see place. Love the ducks!
I found the ducks quite amusing, AC. Whoever thought up the duck caps deserves a star. 🙂 Peggy and I are definitely planning more time in the city now that one set of kids lives an hour away. –Curt
What a lovely excuse to spend more time there.
Agreed. Walking is best. While still working when in a new town on business, I used to take early morning runs just “to get the lay of the land.”
I always tacked days on to my business trips, Ralie, to allow time to explore. 🙂 –Curt
Boston is a great city for walking. The Liberty Trail is doable. I noticed you included a picture of the Old Customs building. This is an excellent building for golden and blue hours. No sunsets as buildings are in the way. They allow tripods. It does cost to get up there. You should check on the price but well worth it.
Thanks for the advice on the Customs Building, Tim. I’ll look into it next time we visit the city. We might also try to work out a time-share exchange to stay there. I think it would be a kick. We divided the trail into two days and really enjoyed it even though we had rain and snow one day. –Curt
When first visiting Boston many years ago I found Bostonians rude and obnoxious. Since my son moved there 20 years ago I’ve learned to live with the Bostonians and caulk it up to my attitude. Go with the flow.
Your time share sounds like a great opportunity. If you are there for a while and, I’m making the assumption that you and Peggy are over 65, you can get a Charlie Senior Card for free. It cuts your fares in half. I also have a Metro card NYC as well. It’s worth the time to get them.
Thanks for the advice on the metro card, Tim. I wonder if Boston named the Charlie card after Charlie and the MTA? –Curt
With the exception of a taxi driver or two, people seemed very friendly to us.
The bombing at the Boston Marathon as sad as it was changed the people of Boston in a very favorable way. They are less confrontational and I don’t hear people honking at drivers who don’t quickly move when the light changes to green. Being in Boston now is so much more pleasant.
Very interesting observation, Tim. Thanks. –Curt
boston …amazing city ….one of the dream city of mine
There is certainly no lack of interesting things to do and explore, as well as its history. Thanks for commenting. -Curt
ur welcome nd pls try to read my blog too..:)
thanx for reminding me how much I loved Boston – been twice… 🙂 just like San Francisco, I like its European “side”…
You’re welcome. There is that sense to it Melanie. SF has been a favorite of mine ever since I went to college in the Bay Area.
I am not sure that the picture of the bodacious baboon would entice me to see a play. I’ll have to find out more about Paul Revere and find a connection to a bra wearing baboon. You made me curious, Curt…
Afraid there is no connection, Gerard. But you know how I love weird. My lovely wife was shaking her head. That happens a lot. 🙂 –Curt
Wonderful pictures! Leo looks like a happy bookstore kitty -Kaitlyn
Thanks. I am pretty sure he was one happy kitty, Kaitlyn! 🙂 –Curt
The ducks dressed in Christmas finery — so fun! But all your pics are good. And I agree with you about the cat in the bookstore — that’s one fine owner who loves books and kitties. Happy Valentine’s to you, too!
There is just something about a cat in a bookstore that makes me want to buy a book, Rusha. 🙂 And I really liked the ducks. My kind of humor. –Curt
Thanks for the walk and accompanying stellar photos. I agree walking is definitely the best way to see a city. I first walked Boston at least two decades ago and it was memorable… nice to “refresh” those me ories with your photos. Love Leo the cat!
Peta
I really like bookstore cats, Peta. And, so far, they have always been indicative of a good bookstore! Glad to have you along for the walk and pleased that you enjoyed the photos. Boston was both fun and interesting for Peggy and me. –Curt
I think walking is genuinely the best activity and way to see a city and learn about the places. I love walking tours. Sully’s plane? Wow, I am going to watch the movie someday soon. Have you seen it?
I watched Sully before I went and saw the plane. It made the whole experience much more meaningful. BTW, I may put Sully off for a week. Peggy and I took a trip over to the Oregon Coast for Valentine’s Day and I am thinking about a post on the scenery. 🙂 –Curt
Wow sounds sweet… I’ll wait for it. Let’s have the Valentine’s post 😀
One Valentines post coming up. 🙂
I must say — those apples are a great example of “gilding the lily.” Caramel apple: good. M&M covered caramel apple? Overdone, at least to my taste.
And yes, I still know the lyrics to the MTA song, and I’ve already pulled it up for a listen. I’m with you on the appeal of a bookstore cat, too. It just seems right to have one there. And any bookstore that includes a manual typewriter in its window would pull me right in. Of course, if I came across that market first, I might never make it into the bookstore.
I am afraid when it comes to apples, Linda, I am an old fashioned type of guy. Eating them fresh or turning them into applesauce or apple pie— yes! Others can enjoy candy coating.
Sam, the young man who worked for us in Liberia, absolutely loved the Kingston Trio’s MTA.
Boston had lots of delightful distractions. Good thing I had the Freedom Trail to keep me focused. 🙂 –Curt
Boston is such a great city to visit because every interesting place is within walking distance and if not public transportation if better than in most cities of the same size. I’ve been lucky to live close enough for six years, and I go back regularly for a visit. Love the ducks and the bookstore a lot!
You are lucky to be nearby, Evelyne. It was an eye-opener for us. Now with our son and his family living an hour away, we will be making several more visits. –Curt
The Hadzi sculpture looks like a horse and an orca taking advantage of free yoga lessons at Burning Man.
I was living there when the MTA switched from tokens to Charlie Cards. And yes, named after that Charlie. I still had a leftover token coin in my purse, and after a while it became a sentimental object, so it continues to live in my change pocket in my purse to this day. (I ditched the Charlie card long ago)
Great nighttime shot of the old Customs Building.
Did you see the photo of the ducks all wearing Pussy Hats? That was pretty sweet. I’d attach it here, but for the life of me have never figured out how people put photos into comments. Ah well…gotta leave a few mysteries out there I suppose.
The sculpture would fit right in a t Burning Man! 🙂
Thanks for the info on Charlie Cards. As I expected.
The Old Custom Building is quite spectacular. And no, I haven’t seen the ducks wearing the Pussy Hats but I can picture it. Someone has a lot of fun with the ducks! Thanks much for you comments, Crystal. –Curt
Loved the amazing pictures…
Thanks so much. Peggy and I really enjoyed Boston, which I had always driven around in previous trips on the East Coast. We won’t make that mistake again. –Curt