Quickie! Who's up for a Boston Mini-Gathering?

[walterick]

Hey all

I am going to be in the Boston area on the weekend of June 5-6. I want to see the city as I've never been there and I would like someone to show me around. I've contacted Natalie and she's down to hang with me. Anyone else want to come?

I'm NOT trying to steal Natalie's thunder from her Official Boston Gathering later this summer! So if you're on the fence about which to come to, come to hers. This is just an impromptu meeting, if that.

Wanna get together to eat beans and throw tea in the ocean? Please post! I'd imagine best meeting day would be Saturday, but I'm open.

Thanks,
Rick

[Liz]

I "stuck" it here. I didn't sticky it before as it looked like it was heading for September or later - long way off.

BTW, I emailed PJ to ask him to post the Gathering "sticky" threads to the Gathering (forum). So everyone will know where to post.

I hope you get lots of people Nat!

Liz

Hey all

I am going to be in the Boston area on the weekend of June 5-6. I want to see the city as I've never been there and I would like someone to show me around. I've contacted Natalie and she's down to hang with me. Anyone else want to come?

I'm NOT trying to steal Natalie's thunder from her Official Boston Gathering later this summer! So if you're on the fence about which to come to, come to hers. This is just an impromptu meeting, if that.

Wanna get together to eat beans and throw tea in the ocean? Please post! I'd imagine best meeting day would be Saturday, but I'm open.

Thanks,
Rick

[natatbeach]

I'm game as was stated and could use help in a inner city informational way---I'm only familiar with the North Shore (gloucester,Rockport areas) and II'm still interested in having a LARGER Fall gathering....

so come one come all....

[walterick]

I saw that pop up there right away and I knew you must be watching

[davef]

I missed the thread about the Boston Gathering; when is it?

As for a mini-gathering, I should be around. What did you have in mind? Walking the Freedom Trail? Harvard Square? Fenway Park?
-dave

[walterick]

I don't know what's up there. Is there an interesting downtown? Landmarks? Monuments? Touristy things? Historical? I wouldn't be into sports stuff, but that's just me.

[davef]

may be differnet than other people's Boston. Well, let them speak. Boston is a great walking city. You can see quite a bit walking and using the "T" (subway) I'd suggest going to Quincy Market/Fanuel hall--a historical/shopping mecca with street performers etc. From here it's a short walk through the Boston Common the Public Garden (very picturesque with a pond with swan boats, weeping willows, ducks, flowers, lovers, muggers, and theives {oh wait--those last three are along the Charles}). There's an observatory in the John Hancock building with fantastic views of Boston nearby. You could then head up to Beacon Hill and maybe stand outside John Kerry's house and heckle. Or head the other way and walk a bit of the Freedom Trail and see some historical sights including the Constitution (oldest commisioned war ship) in the Charlestown Navy Yard on the Boston Harbor . That's just Boston proper--not including the Cambridge side, which can be just as interesting.

[davef]

I guess I'd suggest we make a few stops in Cambridge--there are plenty of excellent bars with great bands....happy birthday.

[walterick]

I'd love to do a walking/train tour of Boston! That's more what I had in my mind. You beat me to the punch with my next question: is there a good place to get views of the city? Sounds like there is. I am big into city/skyline shots these days.

Thanks again. We'll definitely forge something here.

[davef]

Boston doesn't have the greatest looking skyline from land..you really have to be out in the harbor for the best views, but from a couple of marinas in Charlestown you can get some really good views. All within easy walking distance of town.

[yaronsh]

I may or may not be in town that weekend... If in town, hey, I'll join ya!

As far as city skyline shots go:

* Charlestown (Bunker Hill) - Have yet to investigate it, but I'm sure it's there. Also rich in historical content, and can climb to top of Bunker Hill monument.

* If you're up for some hiking (also opportunities for nature photography):
(1) Blue Hills - a little distant, need a clear day (or good PhotoShop skills).
(2) Middlesex Fells - never been there, but the area seems like it would have good views.
(3) Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain) - need to find the highest spot, forgot exactly where it is.

* Lynn waterfront, Nahant beaches. A little distant, but potential for dramatic shots, esp. on overcast days.

* My favorite (shhh, secret spot): Winthrop, by a playground on the west side, where the Winthrop coast "bends." It's you, then water, then Logan Airport, then the city. Planes coming in for a landing zoom right over your head.

* Other spots, I'm sure, west and NW of the city. A topographic map of metro Boston is on my shopping list.

* Take a commuter ferry across the bay? (Never done it)

- Yaron

[stew]

Hey all,

I'm in!! I live in the South End, so I'm up for meeting wherever works. I have done the "tourist" thing a number of times, but I love it and am always up for another go-round. Plus, I always seem to find some new experience....

I didn't read all of the ideas for touring Boston featured in the replies, but I would enjoy a harbor cruise for an hour or so if the group is so inclined. But really, I'd just enjoy hanging out.

Cheers, Stew

[walterick]

to me.

I'm up for a walking/railing/boating tour of Boston. I just took a 3 Hour boat Tour around Manhattan Island with the New York Gatherers so the same around Boston sounds fitting

I'll keep this thread as up to date as I can. As mentioned, it looks like Saturday June 5 is the day. I'll be touring VT/NH/ME for the few days prior to that.

Thanks all!

Rick

[walterick]

I'd like to know who's in for the Boston mini-meeting on June 5. I'm going to be in contact with Natalie next week but I may not be able to get online beginning this Saturday.

I'd like to know:

Who?

Where shall we meet?

I'm kind of relying on you guys for this one as I don't know a thing about Beantown

What shall we do? I'm thinking the boat thing sounds good, plus touristy stuff and views of the city. But I'm always into letting trouble just find me if there's nothing else to do

Thanks,
Rick

[natatbeach]

and Larry too. Time--
Larry and I can get babysitting from early but we need to be home by 6 pm.

Could some one call and ask about the tour thing...I'm not totally familiar with that since I tend to stay in my cave with my children and haven't ventured to many places in Boston...except the Aquarium and Chinatown

[stew]

I'm in for it. If you guys want to do the touristy stuff among other things, then one possible place to meet in the city itself is at the Boston Common. It's easy to find, is very central to the city, is close to the starting point of the Freedom Trail, is between Back Bay and Beacon Hill, etc. If that sounds good, my suggestion is to meet at the corner of Charles St. and Beacon St.

-Stew

[natatbeach]

that sounds good--- it's off of storrow drive...any street parking around there that you know of? I hate the train but I'll take it if I have to

here's a map

[davef]

...unless something unforeseen happens. I checked around a bit...the Hancock Observatory (60th floor) is open Mon-Sat 9am -10pm and is $4.25 per person. Bay State Cruises operate a 90 minute Outer Harbour tour for around $10; they leave from near the Aquarium on the hour.

How early are we gonna meet? Will everyone be up for a walkabout? Where on the Common do you want to meet?

[davef]

that sounds good--- it's off of storrow drive...any street parking around there that you know of? I hate the train but I'll take it if I have to

here's a map

There is metered (25 cents for 20 min until 8pm) street parking all around the Public Gardens and along Charles Street next to the Common. However, it may be next to impossible to find an open one on a Saturday. There is an underground parking lot under the Common, but I have no idea how much it costs....figure $25 or so.

The nearest train stations are: 1. Charles Street (Red Line) Station. It's a nice walk of, oh, 6 blocks of antique shops and restaraunts along Charles Street to the Common. 2. Park Street (Red and Green Lines) actually in the Boston Common. From this stop to the corner of Charles and Beacon, it's a lovely walk through the length of the Common--either one is nice.

[walterick]

Do we want to say 10am? That should give us a little morning light to photograph by and we'll beat the heat by a few hours?

Dave, I googled Bay State Cruises and what I found said that they only do ferry tours to Provincetown. Did I miss the bay tour somewhere?

I think this should be a fun time gang. Thanks for all the work.

Rick

[stew]

OK here's the summary so far:

When: Sat, June 5 at 10am
Where: Corner of Beacon St and Charles St, standing on the corner of the Commons itself.

Hancock observatory sounds a lot of fun to me. I live a few minutes walk from that building, have taken a number of pictures of it from ground level, but have never been to the top!

Anyway, sounds great. Looking forward to meeting whoever makes it...

[davef]

Okay, okay, my info seems to be a little outdated----I was told today that the Observatory has been closed for security concerns and Rick checked out Bay State Cruises and it looks like they don't do the harbour tour any longer. No need to worry on the cruise, though. There are plenty of others around. I'll take a quick walk down there tomorrow and get some hard facts. I'll either stop by or call the obsevatory to confirm they're open. I've been up there before and the views are spectacular.

[brianc]

Why?? well I just got an offer for a job in Billerica. I'm going to take it. and it looks as if I'll be starting mid July. I'll hate to leave New Mexico but it's a good job.

Nat, you'll have to give me some pointers on dealing with the loss of the sunsets.

[davef]

Well, this is what I found out:

The Bad: The John Hancock Observatory has indeed been closed because of security concerns.

The Good: A block over, we can go to the Boston Skywalk Observatory in the Prudential Building. It's $7 per person, 360 degree views from 700 feet(50th floor?)above the Back Bay, open 10am to 10pm.

The Bad: Mass Bay Lines only go to Provincetown.

The Good: Boston Harbor Cruises offer 45min and 90min tours of the inner and outer harbors. Prices range from $12 to $18 plus 5-7% convention center tax. I believe they depart from Long Wharf (next to the Aquarium) 11am 1pm and 3pm.

See ya, -dave

[natatbeach]

get ready for the shock that will run through your body! (you never recover from the loss of sunsets --it's been 7 years now for me and you just simply migrate back every year or two at a minimum)

And get ready for some TERRIBLE driving. New York has great driving by comparison... but Glad to have you in MA and feel free to get in touch with us when you come our house is always open to hungry travelers and new settlers


That's cool that you found a job that fits more of the needs you were looking for---if I remember correctly you were going thru a bit of a struggle deciding some stuff out a few months back... what are you going to be doing in your new job placement.