Saturday Fun

Weekends are becoming the sweet, delicious dessert at the end of our work weeks here in Boston. I am working less on the weekends than ever before, and we both seem to have a renewed sense of adventure. Yesterday we spent the day exploring areas new to us here in Boston, namely, Back Bay. The Back Bay neighborhood, situated in the heart of Boston, just a stones throw from fancy boutiques, posh cafes and the financial district, is characterized by the beautiful brownstone buildings that we all think of when we think of 'Boston' neighborhoods. The streets of Back Bay are lined with gorgeous old trees, and the median on most streets is a gated garden or park space used by residents in each block. Back Bay is also dotted with several insanely beautiful public parks including the Esplande at Charles River, Boston Gardens, and Boston Common, to name only a few. These parks are like little jewels of the urban landscape, overflowing with fragrant flowers, lush green spaces, old and stately trees, old and oxidized water features and countless bronze statues paying tribute to innumerable historical events.

Like many of the most beautiful Boston neighborhoods, Back Bay is highly sought by locals, well, locals with bundles of cash filling their pockets. For the commoners like us, Back Bay is a highly sought after day trip. Back Bay is easily accessible from our neighborhood (JP) on a very short, 15 minute, bus ride.

Again and again we are delightfully surprised by the quality and beauty of the parks in Boston. The citizens and city have done a remarkable job preserving and investing in urban green spaces. Charles River, one of Boston's most prized and popular parks in Boston, is a prime (perhaps THE prime) location for long runs on it's more than 20 miles of paved river-front running and walking paths. For endurance runners, like me (who have GI issues), this running path is particularly wonderful for it's clean and readily available 'powder'rooms. The views of Cambridge, sailboats, kayaks and bridges along the water are stunning. And, if you squint just right it feels a little like walking along the Thames River in London.

Boston Garden and the Common will require another trip to Back Bay (and another post, you lucky ducks!) though we did appreciate their loveliness from afar during our adventure and mission to find lunch yesterday.