Another Off The Summer Bucket List - Boston Harbor Islands

I first moved to Boston 15 years ago this month. Can ya believe it? I can't. Seems like both a hot minute and a lifetime ago. When I first arrived, the whole city and area was new to me and I explored it ravenously, taking in all the new museums and sites. And wouldn't you know it, all these years later there are still many things yet to explore.

One of those things we put on our summer to do list, or summer bucket list as it was coined. That was making a little trip out to the Boston Harbor Islands. I didn't even know these gems existed until a friend's wedding 6 years ago. The groom was a sailor so the tables at the reception were each named after one of the harbor islands. And then it only took me another 2 family members and 6 years to make the pilgrimage there.

As there are several islands and ferry schedules to follow, I did all the research and planning for the trip. By Friday night, a general plan was in motion and ferry tickets had been purchased. It was a bit of a rush to make it to downtown Saturday morning, but we made the ferry departure by the skin of our teeth. Then it was time to relax. 

On Board With Great Views of the City

Me and My Boys

Our First View of the Islands

There was a great guide on board that narrated our view and gave some great history of Boston (as related to the sites we were seeing) and of the development\history of the islands. Definitely gave more of a touristy vibe to the 45 minute boat ride.

We were starting the day at Georges Island, home of historic Fort Warren. I figured there would pretty much be nothing more exciting for the boys then exploring a fort.

Cade was not into the paparazzi. He kept waving his hand and saying "no, no, no" at Dad and the camera.

Our first stop was the restroom and a small museum right by the dock. The kids were into it and it was a good start. We grabbed a map of the fort and got going. It was a pretty cool place to wander around.

View of the Inside

Lookout Tower Towards Boston

Looking Out From Inside the Walls

This big room was our favorite. Barrel ceilings, cool windows to look out and dark passages that led to secret rooms.

Some kids we saw there apparently knew what was up and had brought flashlights. Definitely a good plan. If we hadn't had the flashlight on our iPhones, we would have been in pitch black in some areas. The boys would have really dug the flashlights so just an FYI if you ever make the trip.

The islands are a carry in\carry out park. We had come prepared with a small cooler for lunches (but there was a snack bar there for any extras).

A view of Boston is in the background but it's near impossible to see in this shot.

Tree Huggers

I had thought we might catch another smaller, quick ferry to one more island but the boys' seemed to have enough adventure for the day so we went ahead and got into the ferry line back. While we waited in the line, we dropped by the booth that the New England Aquarium had set up with some sea life. The boys enjoyed watching and touching the different kinds of crabs available there. Then we loaded back onto the boat.

While the ride out to the island had been pretty mellow and laid back, the boys were much more animated on the return back. They pointed and were amazed at just about everything they saw. Of special interest were the laundry detergent bottles we saw marking lobster traps.

It was really a nice day...well, long morning really. And many islands left to explore. Next time we have visitors in town, this is definitely going to be a recommendation...and we might just have to tag along with you!

Not One But TWO Girls' Weekends!!

This summer is just flying by. If we're not out of town for the weekend, we're scurrying around the house trying to get some house projects done (including some belated spring cleaning) while also trying to fit in some fun family time. Seems I never have a second to myself. Oh, that mind is quick to forget! I keep having to remind myself that I have had two weekends to myself this summer. I guess I've already usurped all my "me" time for quite some time. So, to remind myself of these lovely times away that I got a little time for Mom, I'll tell you about them here.

The first one came at the beginning of June. While we were on vacation in Virginia in May, we found out that a short 2 weeks later my parents would be hosting their annual Mimaw\Pipaw Camp in Dallas and this year Dylan was invited! There was a lot of hubbub around trying to change it (because of it being planned so last minute and getting all the grandkids there), figuring out how and who to get Dylan there, etc. In the end, the best\easiest solution was to stick to the date and for me to deliver Dylan. Man oh man was it a piece of cake to travel with just 1 big kid. Dylan was a wonderful travel companion and we had a good time. Still a few years shy of being able to sit back and read while traveling with the kids but it was so easy peasy traveling with a (soon to be) 5 year old I've got not a thing to complain about.

Dylan and His New Travel Toy Bumblebee

Travelin' Son and Mom

Only problem, I wasn't invited to Mimaw and Pipaw Camp! So I had to skidaddle and had to figure out what to do. It was a short enough time that it would have been stressful to go elsewhere and there aren't a lot of people in Dallas I'm in close touch with anymore. I sent my best pal Amy in Austin an email to see if she might be around. After a few hours, she replied, "I am and I'm coming to Dallas to have a girls' weekend with you!" Yippee! How often to do things work out last minute that smoothly? Almost never.

She and I had a great time. We got a hotel downtown, went out for some nice dinners, explored downtown Dallas by foot, had makeup makeovers and spent a day at the spa. It was some really great bonding time and I'm SO glad we did it. We've already started planning for other trips together in the future...we may let our husbands and my kids along next time...if they're good.

Friends

In a Sculpture at the Nasher Sculpture Center

TEX MEX! YUM!

SOOO jealous of the Dallas Farmers Market. I seriously wish we had something comparable in these parts.

What up?

Pretty Girls with New Makeup

Pegasus

Amy left me Sunday afternoon and I met up with an old friend for dinner Sunday night, Genevieve. Despite being the best of friends for many years, time and distance have made us not been in touch much in the last 10 years. Of all my old Dallas connections, I wanted most to find out how she was. We had a great dinner and talked until the wee hours of the night.

Old Friends.

It was such a great weekend. I thought I would be getting lots of sleep and rest which totally didn't happen. But I wouldn't have changed a thing. AND Dylan had a blast at Mimaw and Pipaw camp. Double score!! Next year Cade may be "eligible" for camp (aka potty trained). If that's the case, Mike and I will definitely take the opportunity to take a trip together.

Just 2 weeks later was another girls' weekend. This one, however, had been planned for many months. My good friend Kari, the one we met up with in VA, was driving up from North Carolina and joining a few other local(ish) girlfriends for a weekend at our place in NH. The gals wanted to head up on the earlier side of the day so I planned to take Friday afternoon off and do that with them. Thinking about leaving my boys again for a weekend, I instead took the entire day off so I could spend the morning with them before saying goodbye for a couple of days. We took the opportunity to dust off our kayaks and take them on their inaugural run in our local lake.

The Boys Ready to Go!

Cade and I

Cuties Dylan and Daddy

We saw turtles sunning, went through the tunnels (connecting the lakes underneath the main roads), saw something dive (possibly a beaver) and had a relaxing paddle. Then it was up to NH with the girls. 

Out for Dinner - Jenn, Brenda, Kari and Me

On Saturday, we went on a hike. It was a trail I've wanted to go on several times but somehow never panned out. This time it did and it was just wonderful! A nice trail, steady incline (no super steep parts), beautiful woods and a breath taking view for your reward.

Hikin' Girls!

We cleared the woods and were greeted with this. Definitely a great "bang for your buck" trail.

Jenn Contemplating Life and the View

Jenn and Me

Kari, Courtney (joined us with dog Hamish for the day) and Brenda

I'm a Tree!

The train came by while we were hanging out. Listening to the whistle echo back and forth across the mountains was amazing!

Waterfall

Hamish

Having Lunch on the Deck Post Hike

Lupine's in Bloom in the Back Yard

Before wrapping up the weekend on Sunday, we spent some low key time at our rec center hanging out on the "beach" and playing on the paddle boat.

Lots of Tadpoles in the Water

Jenn and Brenda on the Beach

Me and Kari in the Paddleboat

Relaxing

Then we said goodbye, parted ways and headed to our respective homes (Kari with a very long drive ahead of her). Great gals, great weekends, great memories.