Trip to Boston

After our whirlwind trip to Washington, DC and New York City, we were back in Pennsylvania to recuperate.  We spent the next weekend up the Pocono Mountains with my Dad and Barb at their mountain house relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet and all white-tailed deer.

The next Friday we left for a weekend in the Boston, Massachusetts area.  On the way up, we stopped off in Newport, Rhode Island.  It was a rainy day but we made the best of it. 

We stumbled upon the International Tennis Hall of Fame.  The grounds were beautiful. 

Frederick J. Perry

After visiting the Visitor's Center, it was suggested that we drive over to Fort Adams State Park where we saw the Oliver Hazard Perry ship.

SSV Oliver Hazard Perry is the largest civilian Sailing School Vessel in the United States. Oliver Hazard Perry is the first ocean-going full-rigged ship built in the U.S. in over 100 years. Her accommodations hold 32 people overnight in addition to her 17 professional crew.

If you look more closely, you'll see these guys working high up on one of the masts.

The ship in full sail

View from Fort Adams State Park

Claiborne Pell/Newport Bridge

A different view on the Claiborne Pell/Newport Bridge

Back in Newport, RI, there are mansions that can be toured on Bellevue Avenue.  They were built during the late 1800's/early 1900's and used by the wealthy as their summer "cottages" during Newport's Gilded Age.  

The Breakers Home built for the Vanderbilts

The home was purchased by the Preservation Society from the youngest daughter in 1972.  It's one of about nine mansions that are available to tour.

We didn't tour any of the homes because the weather was not cooperating (it was pouring) but I would like to the next time we're in the area.  You can see more info on the homes owned by the Preservation Society at https://www.newportmansions.org/

The man at the visitor's center recommended this restaurant for some good New England clam chowder so we gave it a try.

Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant

Al waiting to dive in to that bowl of mussels.

We tried their New England clam chowder, mussels, and lobster roll.  We were not disappointed.

On Saturday morning, we made a stop off at a local home store to buy a fruit tree for our friends, Sushant and his wife, Rashmi.  They bought a house in Medford, MA earlier this year so the fruit tree was a house warming present for them.  

The fruit tree was a little too tall for our rental car.  

Allan, the newly planted Apple Tree

Back Porch and our welcome snacks

Al, Nancy, Rashmi, Sushant, and Coco

Rashmi is an excellent cook so we were treated with several meals of delicious Indian foods.

Roasted Chicken

Orange Lamb

Coconut milk-thai green curry

Breakfast Items

Idli, a savory rice cake

Idli with Chutney

Playing games

Sitting on their front stoop

Sushant and Rashmi recently added a dog to their family.  Coco is part Saint Bernard, and part Poodle called Saint Berdoodle.  Every where we went with Coco people stopped us and asked, "What kind of dog is that?" and "What's his name?" and "How old is he?"  We thought about hanging a sign around his neck answering these questions.

Coco eating a carrot with Al's help

Since Coco is only five months old, he is expected to get much bigger!  He knows lots of tricks and Sushant and Coco put on a demonstration for us.  Coco was a very well behaved dog and we enjoyed playing with him.

Coco has been trained to ring a bell at their back door when he wants to go outside and do his business and then ring another bell when he's ready to come back inside.  Pretty impressive training!

One day we went to the waterfront in Boston and walked around. 

Coco taking up most of the back seat

We stopped off and bought some delicious cupcakes while walking along Newbury Street.  

We took our cupcakes to go and ate them at the Boston Common park. 

George Washington statue

Sushant, Rasmi, and Coco
(Before the bridge incident!)

But part of being a puppy, Coco had to do his business right when we were on a walking bridge in the park with lots of people out enjoying the beautiful day.  Coco will never live that one down!

We stopped off at Quincy Market to walk around and get some lunch.  Inside Quincy Market are so many food stalls it was hard to make a choice. 

Quincy Market

Inside Quincy Market

Our lunch items from Quincy Market

Then we walked around the waterfront and enjoyed the views.  

We had a great time with Rashmi and Sushant and loved their new home.  Thanks guys for your hospitality! 

Rashmi has a side business of selling one of a kind beautiful Indian crafted purses and Taj Mahal marble coasters.  Check out her website - https://www.bombayganesha.com/

We left on Monday when Rashmi and Sushant had to go back to work and drove to Mystic, Connecticut.  Rashmi packed us lamb sandwiches so here we're eating them while we waited for the bridge to open. 

Al & Nancy eating our lamb sandwiches in front of

Mystic River Bascule Bridge

Oh wow, here comes a very large sailboat. 

The bridge rising for boats to pass.

The bridge going back down

Mystic Seaport Museum from afar

Someone enjoying a beautiful afternoon on the water.

After visiting Mystic, CT we drove back to my Dad's house in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania.  A fun weekend we had seeing the sights and visiting with dear friends. 

We still have some time in Pennsylvania to visit more family and friends and eat good PA foods.