BOSTON

Though we were in Boston mostly for a family reunion and memorial service for my Aunt Kathy who passed away earlier this year, Sylvia and I were able to slip away for a few days of sightseeing. I spent some time in the familiar and saw a few things I had never seen before even when I lived there…we’ll cover a few of the highlights.

Pictured above...'hard of thinking' cousin Brian with wife Sylvia; Cousin Deb and Aunt Lois; Mary Regan and husband Chris.

All in all, there is simply too much to see in the Boston area even if you have a week to see it all.

First free day: Boston Harbor and North End…

Our tour guide for today is none other than the famed actor, bartender, photographer, filmmaker, artist, appreciator of culture, phantom gourmet, rocket scientist, former drummer for Styx and treasury whatever the hell he does, Jonathan Tomilson. Jonathan’s long-suffering wife Deb was unable to join us on this trip so we were exposed to the full force of Jonathan for a period of an entire day but thankfully suffered no major structural damage.

Gruff but lovable cousin Jonathan

Our first stop was Boston Haaaaahbuh*…a place almost entirely unrecognizable to me today. In my youth, the haaaaarbuh was basically an area reserved for the mob to dispose of corpses. Now, it is one of the most prosperous areas of the city.

*Note that in the interests of authenticity I will be writing some key phrases in the manner of the local dialect of Boston. Even though this is sometimes 'wicked haaahd' for outsiders to understand, I have felt it necessary in order to preserve the 'local colluh.'

We took a boat to Georges Island for a few hours. Jonathan and myself had visited the island in our youth and marveled at how much safer and more cleaned up it is now, thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service. But somehow, the dangerous days of the past were more fun. Oh for the days when a child could vanish into a darkened, half-flooded pit infested with rats and be lost forever! Today’s kids just don’t know what they are missing. Damned overprotective parents.

The skyline from the haaaahbuh

Must be a holdover from Sail Boston

Sylvia who is, recently a citizen of the US, salutes the flag as is her patriotic duty

The 'cleaned up' Georges Island. Lousy Nanny State!

Fort Warren served as a coastal Fortress and prison from the Civil War through World War II

Boston Light visible in the background

After the tour we went for pizza at Jonathan's favorite pizza in the North End** Regina Pizzaria

**Not to be confused with his favorite place TO have pizza

This is NOT Pizzaria Regina, but it is the only photo I took in the North End.

A great trip was had by all. After Jon took us home for a well earned rest at my aunt Lois place. Lois very kindly put up with us for almost an entire week. Even more remarkably, she has put up with cousin Jonathan for his entire life.

Next up: Rochpaaaaht, MA