My friend Alison came to Boston for a visit on her way to Vermont for her residency and graduation at Norwich University. I have been very lucky to have the friends I have also for the different interests they bring to enlighten my eyes. Alison has a love for history that you can't help but want to love just as much.
We started our trip right in the great city of Boston just looking at some good touristy spots that really I hadn't seen or at least not in some time. We also enjoyed Al's chicken sandwich, which if you have never tried is a MUST! It was great just walking around Boston especially because it was a weekday so it was much calmer. Talking together about how much we love Boston and how Alison wants so badly to move here. Our plans for a double wedding and raising our kids here on the east coast engrossed our conversation most of this trip haha. Visiting Concord and Lexington was so great as well and still crazy to me that I live so close to both. While visiting the North bridge it was just a perfect day. It was raining so hardly anyone was around and we could just enjoy reading all about it and taking beautiful pics of the scenery. How blessed we are truly! Unfortunately I didn't pay attention to my instincts and kept my rubber cover off my ITouch...lets just say I am on my third one and hoping the third one really is a charm! Also I had the opportunity to go to my first RED SOX game!! We won which was exciting and really it was a great game with the Brewers the ambiance was fantastic. I love people watching and this night did not disappoint...."eight seats!"
Driving to New York was shall we say interesting. On the one hand I loved being able to see some different state sights because all the states are so close here, but I am not one to be patient. I have gotten so used to driving everywhere myself that it took some humbling to turn over the reins. Alison's dad did a great job, just like my dad though he enjoyed the detours! We left at 9:30 and I believe we made it there by about 5:30 or so...some entertaining moments and some good naps in. Her moms comments about "be careful there are people right there" being one of my favorites hehe.
New York was great to visit, but it became very clear to me I am very much a Boston gal. New York is all lights and entertainment, great food and such, but it's so smoggy and dirty I couldn't handle it for long not to mention my wallet would deplete rather quickly. Touring Central Park was really beautiful and so striking that there is such a large beautiful oasis surrounded by mayhem. By far our most entertaining spot was the Times Square Toys R Us, I know, I know we weren't expecting that either haha. We ended up taking a ride on the ferris wheel in the cabbage patch cart that I must admit was a little creepy and great all in one. We totally got sold in buying pics there as well because they turned out so great, good times. The lego displays are amazing and little did I know we could see all the sights of NYC all in one spot!
After enjoying some fantastic frozen hot chocolates at Serendipity's we made our way home on the "T". Unfortunately this turned into a very long night. Instead of the one line back to our hotel as we thought they were doing construction which then meant a very loooong detour! Poor Alison had to experience one of the police station bathroom stalls that shall we say were not very clean or private...haha so sad! Rats in the subway station are not something I hope to never experience again. Alison figured we took at least 8 different lines to finally make it back her poor parents were pooped and not sure they were loving this first NYC experience.
Our last day was spent in the NYC temple which was a blessing in so many ways. It is definitely a small temple, but such a ginormous blessing to get away and feel peace and love in the crazy city of New York. Poor Alison had a panic attack thinking I had taken off without her only to find out I was chatting away with one of the sisters there, sorry again! Going there was another great highlight to this trip. We then went to Junior's where Alison found her new love in their red velvet cake. Junior's has the best cheesecake that I hope to try all the flavors of one day.
Sadly all good things must come to an end. Luckily both our flights were delayed so we could enjoy chatting a bit longer. I loved having a piece of home here in New England and a true friend to spend time with. In case I didn't tell you enough Alison I am so glad we are friends and the funny circumstances that made it come to be. I am so blessed to have the friends and family that I do....as much as I love Boston I sorely miss my friends and family. Alson and I were talking so long that we both about missed our flights, oops! Such great memories :)
Alas I could not upload the slideshow here, but here is the YouTube link: http://youtu.be/rNdcuQn7Sdk
