This afternoon we arrived back in Oakland after our long weekend trip to Boston. We went out there because Anne's company, which is based in a suburb of Boston, was having its annual full-company gathering. So, while Anne worked all day, Jonie and I got to tour the town. Neither of us had been there before.
On the first day we set out to take in some historical sites. There are no shortage of these. Here is Jonie posing with George Washington.
Just a few feet away were the famous Swan Boats of the Boston Garden. It was a bit drizzly when were were there, so the swans were docked. Still beautiful, though.
We made our way through Boston Common to this lovely fountain with the Park Street Church in the background.
And then over to the State House. Note the huge Celtics banner hanging out front.
After getting lost and getting found, we made our way through the North End to the Old North Church where Paul Revere hung the lanterns to announce the British advance.
Here, Jonie is contemplating that act of heroism with Paul and the church's steeple behind her.
By the end of that long day we were excited to see Anne. And we all three headed to Boston's most hallowed ground.
Yes, I am the kind of person who (a) poses in front of bars with my infant; and (b) poses in front of famous sit-com sites with my infant. So what?
Our next day was as ambitious as our first. We spent a good part of the early afternoon at the New England Aquarium. I really didn't think that Jonie would notice/care much about the displays, but I love an aquarium and thought it would be a nice way to pass some time. The kid LOVED it! She was shouting at full voice basically the entire time. I stood her up in front of the enormous tank that constitutes the center of the aquarium and she was transfixed by the fish going by. She waved her arms and shouted at everything and everyone. It was great. Here she is contemplating all that she just learned.
Later we walked through Beacon Hill (stunning) and then down to Copley Square. We spent a little time relaxing in the lawn there before heading back to the hotel for a nap.
The next day we took in a few more historical sights. I had to include this picture of a monument to George Washington. And I thought the Washington Memorial in DC was phallic. My god, George. They do say he was a leader among men....
Jonie was overtaken at Paul Revere's tomb.
Next we made our way north to City Hall for the Pride Fair. We just happened to be in town for Pride weekend and it was great. Anne and I have, between us, celebrated Pride in: New York (in which I marched in the parade), Boston, Chicago, Portland (in which I marched in the parade), San Francisco, Yellow Springs, and Kalamazoo. Not bad. Boston was Jonie's first.
At the end of our long day we met up with Anne and her co-workers who had spent the day "team building" while on a scavenger hunt across Boston. It was great to meet some of the people whose names I've heard for quite some time. The bartender put the England/US World Cup match on at the bar (a cheap US victory, we can all agree) and we did plenty of socializing. Later, we sat down to a New England dinner of chowder, oysters, and lobster. Anne and I were a bit lost as to what to do with a lobster, but Jonie jumped right in.
After the company dinner we had yet another dinner with our dear friend Abby's dad and step-mother. It is always great to meet the parents of friends, and we had a wonderful meal and conversation with them. And then we were beat. Anne and Jonie did some pillow fighting. Anne won.
All told, it was a great trip. Anne got some good work done, and Jonie and I toured a new city. Not too shabby.
On the first day we set out to take in some historical sites. There are no shortage of these. Here is Jonie posing with George Washington.
Just a few feet away were the famous Swan Boats of the Boston Garden. It was a bit drizzly when were were there, so the swans were docked. Still beautiful, though.
We made our way through Boston Common to this lovely fountain with the Park Street Church in the background.
And then over to the State House. Note the huge Celtics banner hanging out front.
After getting lost and getting found, we made our way through the North End to the Old North Church where Paul Revere hung the lanterns to announce the British advance.
Here, Jonie is contemplating that act of heroism with Paul and the church's steeple behind her.
By the end of that long day we were excited to see Anne. And we all three headed to Boston's most hallowed ground.
Yes, I am the kind of person who (a) poses in front of bars with my infant; and (b) poses in front of famous sit-com sites with my infant. So what?
Our next day was as ambitious as our first. We spent a good part of the early afternoon at the New England Aquarium. I really didn't think that Jonie would notice/care much about the displays, but I love an aquarium and thought it would be a nice way to pass some time. The kid LOVED it! She was shouting at full voice basically the entire time. I stood her up in front of the enormous tank that constitutes the center of the aquarium and she was transfixed by the fish going by. She waved her arms and shouted at everything and everyone. It was great. Here she is contemplating all that she just learned.
Later we walked through Beacon Hill (stunning) and then down to Copley Square. We spent a little time relaxing in the lawn there before heading back to the hotel for a nap.
The next day we took in a few more historical sights. I had to include this picture of a monument to George Washington. And I thought the Washington Memorial in DC was phallic. My god, George. They do say he was a leader among men....
Jonie was overtaken at Paul Revere's tomb.
Next we made our way north to City Hall for the Pride Fair. We just happened to be in town for Pride weekend and it was great. Anne and I have, between us, celebrated Pride in: New York (in which I marched in the parade), Boston, Chicago, Portland (in which I marched in the parade), San Francisco, Yellow Springs, and Kalamazoo. Not bad. Boston was Jonie's first.
At the end of our long day we met up with Anne and her co-workers who had spent the day "team building" while on a scavenger hunt across Boston. It was great to meet some of the people whose names I've heard for quite some time. The bartender put the England/US World Cup match on at the bar (a cheap US victory, we can all agree) and we did plenty of socializing. Later, we sat down to a New England dinner of chowder, oysters, and lobster. Anne and I were a bit lost as to what to do with a lobster, but Jonie jumped right in.
After the company dinner we had yet another dinner with our dear friend Abby's dad and step-mother. It is always great to meet the parents of friends, and we had a wonderful meal and conversation with them. And then we were beat. Anne and Jonie did some pillow fighting. Anne won.
All told, it was a great trip. Anne got some good work done, and Jonie and I toured a new city. Not too shabby.
2 comments:
I will be enlarging the Cheers photo and matting it for you for your birthday. HILARIOUS. i'm also glad Jonie got to meet George and have such an educational and queer exprience in The Boston.
Eric you almost made me spit my tea out all over the computer. I love the Cheers comment, I'd be posing right next to you! :)
Post a Comment