Beasley's Boston Birthday Bash

So dubbed by Amy, in honor of Chris's birthday. It was a pretty great way to spend a birthday; we certainly maximized our stay in Boston this afternoon.

We left our hotel in Billerica, MA this morning & headed to Woburn, MA to catch the commuter train into Boston (very glad we didn't try to take The Polk (our van) into Boston - walking/subway was definitely the preferred method of transportation). The train left at 9:19 am, and we had no less walked onto the platform than the train showed up. Perfect timing! After a short 30 minute ride into Boston, we started our tour!

First up, Harvard University. We successfully navigated another form of Boston Mass Transit when we hopped on the subway (green line to red line) and were there in about 15 minutes. Harvard is apparently celebrating its 375th anniversary this year, and we walked around the campus enjoying its grandeur. The consensus among us was that the favorite building was Memorial Hall (pictured left). We're still not entirely sure what it memorialized, but it was beautiful. Amy & I tried to peek in, but to no avail. Instead, we got scolded for trying to come in to a private event. Oops. We walked through the Law Library & got a couple stares there as well before heading back to the subway.




Back in the Boston Commons! It was beautiful & much bigger than we were expecting. Just before the Public Garden was a pedestrian bridge overlooking one of the most picturesque scenes I've ever seen in a city (also pictured below).

Just outside the Public Garden was the Cheers bar, where we enjoyed lunch. Amy was certainly the most in-spirit of the group, as she ordered clam chowder. She let Chris & I try some, and it was delicious - the perfect meal for a chilly fall day. I probably came in second, with a meal called the Fenway Special (chili cheese hotdog, yum!). David & Chris enjoyed a burger and a turkey sandwich, respectively. Woo? We were able to walk upstairs and get a glimpse of the set bar, as well. Cheers to you Cheers fans (I've never seen a full episode...).

Amy & I were freezing at that point, so before we started on the Freedom Trail, we stopped off at Starbucks for chai tea & pumpkin spice lattes. The Freedom Trail was very interesting - we talked a lot about how modern-day buildings & businesses have simply just been built around these incredibly important historical landmarks. Some of our favorites: Old Capitol Building, Old Meeting House, site of the Boston Massacre (smaller than it seems in your history books), Old North Church (where Paul Revere's signal lanterns warned the country of the British soldiers' march - "one if by land, two if by sea"). We jaunted down to the Boston Harbor to get a glimpse of the U.S.S. Constitution ("Old Ironsides") and see the place the Boston Tea Party took place.

From there, we headed back to North Station to catch the commuter train back to Woburn & hit the road for northeast Maine. We were a little early, so we stopped at The Fours and the guys appropriately enjoyed a Sam Adams in Boston. We've driven through some beautiful foliage & mountains in New Hampshire & Vermont, but it's dark now. Chris is driving, Amy & David are on deer patrol, & I'm about to make dinner. All-in-all, Beasley's birthday turned out to be a pretty baller one. :)