Back Bay in Boston

Saturday, May 29 - We definitely recommend the Back Bay Hotel, which is in the old Boston Police Department headquarters. Sandy particularly liked the Kiehl's products in the room. Great room, great location, friendly staff and very helpful concierges.

We wanted to grab a quick lunch or brunch before heading out of town. On our walk, we bumped into the marathon finish line, so we took advantage of that photo op. We walked along Newbury Street, and asked a clerk in a store which of our options she recommended. She said that the place across the street would be "wicked busy", and thought we should go to the Parish Cafe, since it was on our list. It would be definitely worth it. We actually ate there for lunch last year on Marathon weekend, because all of the sandwiches on the menu are from acclaimed/well-known/celebrity chefs. We got lucky (I think saying "wicked lucky" is probably not the right context for the word...), and got seats almost immediately at the bar.

By the way, the word of the day is "wicked." A word uniquely and entertainingly used in New England.

Morning run in Boston

Saturday, May 30 - After 3 days of driving, sightseeing and eating, it was time to get in a run along the Charles River. Got a good look of all of the great houses along Commonwealth Ave. on the way to the river.

When running along the Cambridge side of the river, I got a good shot of the famous Citgo sign with the rowers on the river. Perfect morning for a run.

Sandy went on a walk on a different route at the same time, but both of us went through the Public Gardens next to Boston Common on the way back to the hotel.

Boston Dinner

Friday, May 28 - We had a great dinner at Sonsie on Newbury Street, where the entire front of the restaurant is completely open to the street, and all of the bistro tables are set up in European fashion so that everyone looks at the street. We read a couple of tips on Foursquare that you had to get the chocolate bread pudding, and it did not disappoint.

A couple of blocks down the street there was a J.P. Licks, a Boston-based ice cream shop. As you can see, Sandy was having a good time enjoying her "Cow Trax" flavor of ice cream while juggling her iPhone in order to check in to Foursquare. Despite the fun atmosphere, we decided not to get one of the frequent-buy "Cow Cards," as regular usage could lead to undesirable results...