Boston, Fenway, Red Sox, Lindsay!!! I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!

I arrived in downtown Boston and met up with Lindsay who is an old college friend of mine! She actually went to my rival high school in Redmond, WA but I won't judge her for that! After dropping some stuff of with her I was off to Fenway park! When I arrived I parked and headed into the madness! There are a ton of historical bars around the stadium and I made a point of having a beer or shot at as many of them as possible beforehand! I took a ton of photos and many of you will recognize and appreciate! I even had some local Fenway micro brews that really cemented my pre-game festivities! After touring outside the stadium for a few hours it was time to head in! I felt like a kid again! This was something that I had always wanted to do since I was an "actual" little boy! I had been to the outskirts of Fenway and drove around it when I was little and visiting my Grandma who lived in Roslindale, MA back then before moving to Washington to be closer to us! Never did make it inside though! This was MY time!

After spending the next few hours taking photos around the stadium, making new friends in "Red Sox Nation" from all over the country and watching the Red Sox win it was time to find Lindsay again and crash in the city! Check out the photos, it was a truly magical experience and I had a PERMA-GRIN the whole time!

The next day we set off to explore Boston and take it to the limit! We hiked around town and saw what seemed like most of it when we were through! In the park, we saw the swan boats that I had ridden years ago! We even came across the ducklings which were made famous in an old children's book. The greatest part of this was that one of the ducks that I photographed with was named "MACK!" After taking in some of Boston's best architecture we went to the Cheers Bar, Paul Revere's house and the place where the Declaration of Independence was first read aloud! We toured multiple colleges including Boston University and Hahvaad! Such beautiful campuses full of life and intellectuals! We ate some of the finest foods and had some New England clam chowder to complete my time here! We truly rocked the city and walked miles upon miles around the town! Definitely needed after such good food here! When we were through, I felt completely satisfied and content and ready to move on to my next destination! Lindsay you are an amazing lady and friend and I can't thank you enough for all you did while I was there! You made Boston that much more memorable and unforgettable! I wouldn't have done it any other way! THANK YOU!!!

Finally it was time to head out of town but I wasn't done with Massachusetts just yet! It was off to spend some time with some very close family friends Marty and Linda who are my brothers godparents and truly amazing in their own right! I always enjoy spending time with them though it comes very infrequently, so I knew I had to soak it up when I could! I headed out to meet up with them at their place outside Boston and spent the next few hours catching up and having an absolute blast! I hope we can do it again soon! I capped off my Massachusetts visit with some BOSTON CREME PIE! Wouldn't have had it any other way! You both are the best and I hope I get the chance to see you again soon and take a trip together as well!

From this point, I shoved off out of Massachusetts and headed back through New York State toward my much anticipated meeting with Angela Brandenburg in Chicago! I was revving my engines as I had very limited time to make it to Chicago and catch a plane back to Pullman, WA for my Reunion! Because of this, I did not have time to go further North and see Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine but know that I will get back there and make it so!

Till Next Time, MACK OUT!!!

Interesting Notes...

1. Certain Counties in Massachusetts have additional holidays like Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day off from work!? What the... This single-handedly made me want to move to MA and get a few extra holidays that I've never heard of and that are not observed in WA!!! Craziness!

2. I am continuously amazed with "RED SOX NATION" and the camaraderie that follows them! When the Sox play in Seattle, there is almost more noise and fans cheering on the Sox then the Mariners or any other home team!? Its weird to go to a game and hear cheering on every single play!

3. In San Francisco, I made new friends with a gentleman who approached me on the street because of my Sox Hat! After chatting for a bit, he gave me a RED SOX NATION wristband, similar to the Lance Armstrong bands of yester-year! That act of generosity never left me and I carried that band all the way to Fenway so it could find the way back to its true home!