Tours of Boston, old friends, good times.

After the snow storm we got a few weekends ago I was a bit worried knowing two of my friends from AZ, Chris and Joannah, were coming to town. Last Friday I picked them up at the Manchester, NH airport and the two days that followed were absolutely gorgeous New England spring days. Apparently they packed some sunshine and warm weather with them from Arizona, but they only brought enough for the weekend, because we were right back to snow on Monday.

We spent Saturday doing alot of the cliché touristy things around Boston: Haymarket, Fanueil Hall, Boston Public Gardens, the Prudential Center, etc. Lunch was good. We ate at the Bell in Hand, the proclaimed oldest Tavern in America, a popular spot around Haymarket/Fanueil Hall. Afterwards we took the "T" (Boston's subway system) to the Public Gardens, strolled by Cheers, made a pit stop at the Boston Public Library, before we ended at the Prudential Center were we went to the Top of the Hub Restaurant and then strolled around the Skywalk Observatory.

Sunday was spent mostly in the North End with a brief detour at the New England Aquarium and a few local bars by North Station. We took the long route to the aquarium, enjoying the likes of Rowes Warf, Battery Warf, all while being envious of the local condo's their views of the harbor. Joannah found it absolutely fascinating that we actually have ducks swimming in Boston harbor. Lunch was at Regina's Pizza (I had actually never been there before). The wait to get in was well worth it. Joannah said it was the best pizza she'd ever had. No argument from me! After a few dips into local stores and stop at Mike's Pastries, dinner was at Dolce Vita on Hanover St. To say that both lunch and dinner (and the pastries) was excellent would be an understatement. Mmm....who doesn't like good italian food!?!

Unfortunately, I had to work on Monday and Tuesday, but Chris and Joanna ventured out on their own, enjoying more alone time, I'm sure. I suggested Anthony's Pier 4 restaurant for lunch and they loved it! I tagged along for dinner that night as we all went to a local 99 Restaurant where I had one of my favorite dishes - Prime Rib! Mmm (again!). Tuesday, they took a day trip to see New Hampshire and Maine, lighthouses, etc. Joannah mentioned the drive through New Hamphsire and Maine was her favorite part of the trip. Most of what they saw on Tuesday, I had actually never seen before.

Although I wasn't around for most of their Monday and Tuesday explorations, here are some pictures from Joannah's camera she let me copy before they flew back to Arizona, including our excursions on Saturday and Sunday.

It was great catching up with them. I can't believe it has been over 7 months since I left Arizona! I miss my AZ life, but equally love being on the east coast, my home.

If you are one of my local (Boston) friends, most of these sites will look familiar. If you're one of my distant friends, these pictures are enticement to come visit me!


Joannah and I along Boston harbor


Chris was happy to see this. Leonard is his last name.


Boston Public Garden area.

Chris and Joannah by the pubs near Fanueil Hall.

Quincy Market

Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center.

A view of the Charles River from the Skywalk at the Prudential Center.

The Hancock building as a backdrop to Trinity church on Boylston St.

At the Bell in Hand pub

I'm not sure if Chris and Joannah were fans of the cold, but they liked the views of my street covered in snow.

Awesome, huge posters we found at a local watering hole by the North End.

By the New England Aquarium

We stumbed upon this at the Boston Public Library. It was in a side room that we shouldn't have been in, but we couldn't resist!

The Holocaust Memorial by Haymarket