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my first cousin, Michelle and her boyfriend Michael. They have an incredible one bedroom apartment in Back Bay
on Commonwealth Avenue. Michelle’s brother, Nelson, use to live here. I had stayed at this place once before
when Nelson was here.
Saturday, September 13: Michelle and I went to go see the Open Studio Tour. We stopped by Michael’s
studio for a while and hung out. I met Michael’s assistant and a couple of his models. After about an hour hanging
out with Michael, Michelle and I visited a number of the other studios. We met many of the artists. It was
interesting listening to them about what their art means to them and how they conceived it. I picked up a bunch of
post cards with representations of the artists’ works.
This afternoon I took a nap. Michelle drove to the Berkshires to meet my mom and Carol Nerenberg for
dinner. So, Michael and I went over to Charles’s (friend of Michelle’s and Michael’s) place for dinner. Also at
dinner where Peter (a friend of Charles’s and Michael’s) and Charles’ son. Charles made a very good salmon and
provided much wine. I couldn’t keep up with Charles and Michael in the wine drinking department, but I did
manage a very good buzz.
Sunday, September 14: Walked to the Gardner Museum. About two-thirds of the way there it started to rain
lightly. I wasn’t too concerned about getting wet, because it was pretty warm out. But, I was concerned about
my camera, so I covered it as best I could. The Museum, which used to be the home of the Gardner’s, was
magnificent. There is a large courtyard in the middle of the home with a skylight bringing in natural light. The home
was built in a 15th Century Venetian style and original Roman columns were used to support the openings onto the
courtyard. On the way back it started to rain a little harder, so I caught a bus. During my walk to the bus stop, I
met a nice lady while asking for directions. She informed me that she was going to the Gainesboro exhibit at the
Museum of Fine Arts. It was ironic, because Michelle, Michael and I had gone to this same exhibit when it was in
D.C.
Once back to the apartment, I changed and went for a run. I followed Michelle’s suggested path to run along
the Charles River between Harvard Bridge and Longfellow Bridge. I crossed into Cambridge on the Longfellow
Bridge and back into Boston proper on the Harvard Bridge. It was about a three mile jog/run, but it was tough
because the air was so heavy.
This evening Michele, Michael and I went to the North End to go to their favorite Italian Restaurant. They had
both been going there for over ten years and are on fairly personal terms with the owner. Michelle and I had the
Shrimp Diablo, which was very good. But, not as good as the Shrimp Diablo at Pines of Rome in Bethesda.
Pines uses bigger, juicier shrimp. We had a very nice time, just relaxing enjoying the food, the wine and one
another’s company.
Monday, September 15: I followed Michelle’s advice and walked down the center of Commonwealth Avenue,
where there is a fairly wide grass path and sculptures along the way, into the heart of Boston. Commonwealth
Avenue leads directly into the Boston’s Public Garden. From the Garden, I walked through Boston Common, the
oldest public park in the U.S., and to a Visitor Information Center, where I picked up the Freedom Trail Map and
a generic map of the City. I walked the Freedom Trail and saw: The State House, Park Street Church, Granary
Burial Ground (buried here: Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and the parent’s of Benjamin Franklin),
Site of the First Public School in the U.S., Franklin Statue, The Old Corner Bookstore (“Here such greats as
Longfellow, Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau and Oliver Wendell Holmes used to meet and chat”), Old State House
(“Built in 1713, this was the seat of Massachusetts colonial government and is the oldest public building in
Boston”), Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House (“Built about 1680, is the oldest surviving structure
in Boston”), Old North Church, and Copp’s Hill Burial Ground. I didn’t cross the Harbor into Charlestown.
Instead I walked by the Fleet Center on my way to Beacon Hill. I passed through the North End and picked up a
Gelati in Little Italy, across the street from where I had dinner with Michelle and Michael the night before. Beacon
Hill reminds me of the backstreets of Georgetown, but on a much steeper incline. There are cobblestone and
brick laid streets running between the old brownstones, most of which appear to be over a hundred years old.
After leaving Beacon Hill, I walked back into the Public Garden and by the lake. I spotted two beautiful swans
resting by the water and took a couple photos. I decided to take a different street back to Michelle and Michael’s
place. I walked up Boylston Street. This street has a lot more foot traffic than Commonwealth, because of all the
restaurants, shops and office buildings, which run along it. It was amazing to me the high percentage of young
people on the street, like no other city I’ve been to. I guess now that the students are back for the Fall Semester
and seeing that Boston has many Universities, there is bound to be a lot of college age youngsters about.
Once back to the place, I got organized and headed over to the Starbuck’s a block away on Newbury Street,
where I updated my web-site. This evening we stayed in for dinner and Michael prepared us risotto, chicken,
asparagus, and for dessert, homemade vanilla gelati, Michelle’s favorite. We drank the Riesling and Red
(Merlot/Cabernet) wine which I brought from Niagara on the Lake. After dinner, Michael rented a video, Lord of
the Rings, the Twin Towers. It was very good, but a little long.
Tuesday, September 16: I packed and got organized for the next leg of my journey to Provincetown, Cape
Cod, Maine. Staying with Michelle and Michael has been a much needed break in my whirlwind tour. It was
especially nice to have people around me that I am close to, after being in cities where I didn’t know anyone for a
fairly long stretch.
Tuesday, September 16: I got a room at the White Horse Inn. Michael recommended this place, because he
knows the owner, Frank, and he has stayed here in the past. It is located on Commercial Street just south of the
downtown area, about a five minute walk into town. The room was pleasant enough, but there was no heating or
air conditioning. They had a mobile heater and fan in the closet. The Spartan feel kind of worked while staying in
this artist community on the tip of Cape Cod. Frank recommended a restaurant in town called Napi’s. It was
very good. The atmosphere was very nice, but still remained comfortable and casual. The food was excellent as
well.
Wednesday, September 17: I walked on the beach on the way into town with the intension of going whale
watching today. I was sidetracked by some birds on the beach fighting over the carcass of a fish. I got some
good pictures here. I found a restaurant on the beach with some wonderful views. It was a beautiful day and
there were a number of people on the beach: one was playing with his dog, a grandmother was walking her
grandson on the beach, two women were hanging out knee deep in the surf, ect.
Why would I go whale watching twice within a couple of weeks? Because I had never been before I went in
Nova Scotia. I really enjoyed it my first time and this trip we were suppose to see Humpback whales, the first trip
was Pilot whales. I just missed the noon trip. So, I went to the Whydah Museum until the 1:20 trip. The Whydah
was a pirate ship that sunk with its treasure hundreds of years ago. A local discovered the Whydah wreck and
many of its artifacts and its history are found here in this very interesting museum on the main dock in downtown
Provincetown.
I went with a group called Whale Watch. They are supposed to be the most professional and most
environmental conscience. The boat ride out to the whales took at least a half hour. Once there, we got lucky and
saw many beautiful, large Humpback whales. Most were busy feeding, some were just coming up for air and one
swam right by the bow (front) of our boat. It was incredible watching these goliaths of the deep. They are very
majestic animals and move with such grace for being so large.
After whale watching, I walked up to the Pilgrim’s Monument. Unfortunately, it was closed. So, I made a
point of seeing it before heading out of town the next day. I went back to my place to shower up and change. I
walked back into town for dinner. I ended up just buying some food from a Chinese carry out. I sat on the steps
of a closed shop and watched as the locals and tourists went by. Provincetown has a very interesting mix of
artists, gay men and women, tourists, retirees and free spirits.
Thursday, September 18: I drove from Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA to New Haven, CT. Before leaving
town, I drove to the Pilgrim Monument. This monument was dedicated to the Pilgrims who arrived here aboard
the Mayflower on November 21, 1620. They stayed here before moving on to there permanent settlement in
Plymouth, MA. The tower is 255 feet tall and from the top there are incredible views of Cape Cod Bay, the
Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod itself. It is a little bit of a work-out getting to the top, but the views are worth it.