Loving Maine on a wintry, snowy day!

I've lived all of my life in Maine and especially enjoy winters in which we get a lot of snow, there's just so much more that you can do!  And luckily for us, we got quite a bit of snow  this past week....it was especially sweet as I had the week off from work, and so I didn't have to deal with all that entails; instead, I strapped on my nordic skis in the middle of the afternoon, and went down over to my daughter's house which is just a couple of blocks away.  Public roads are especially good to ski on, that is before they've been plowed and sanded.  From there, we went over to the Etrail, which is rather close to her home.  By then, the wind had picked up, and the termperature was starting to go down...Brr!!!!  But I discovered I'm quite fond of being out in "extreme" weather, that is, as long as I've got the right clothes on, and so, we stayed out until the sun went down.

Sun's starting to peek up.....

Quite spectacular, isn't it?

thinks he's golfing!

Another good place to go is the local golf course.  It is especially nice as very few people go, and it offers some nice little rolling hills, some skiing through the woods, as well as by a meandering brook.  I got there just in time to strap on my skis and venture as far as I could where I got to experience the most beautiful sunrise....what a treat on this first day of the new year!....See for yourselves.

Another visit to Boston...this time, we went over to the Isabella Gardner Museum, which was simply amazing.  It is unique and eclectic, and in addition to showcasing art, tapestries, furniture and a myriad of other fascinating artifacts from all over the world, it houses one of the most beautiful enchanting gardens I've ever seen.  Unfortunately their policy of "No cameras," is strictly enforced, and so, I have no pictures.  I'd highly recommend that you visit it this year, and if that's not possible, simply google images of the Museum.


We walked over to the Museum from South Station which was about two miles.   It's a very pleasant walk as you go past one of Boston's parks (the Emerald Necklace?);  I'll have to research that later!....and likewise, once we were done at the Isabella Gardner Museum our plan was to have an early dinner in the North End; again, we walked back, stopping at a small bar, The Sevens, on Charles Street for a beer.  Leaving there, we passed many handsomely decorated doors; you may recall last month, I did the windowboxes, this time I took pictures of the doors...enjoy and Happy New Year to you all!

Black Friday in Boston 2012 is anything but....

Although I'd just been to Boston a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a good idea to return the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday), walk around again and burn off  the calories consumed the previous day.  I purchased two round-trip tickets Portland to Boston on Megabus.com for $16! and off we went, this time with my sister, Barbara.  Boston is about 100 miles south from where we live which accounts for why they still have quite a few leaves on their trees.   It turned out to be an incredibly beautiful day and we started by heading over to Beacon Hill from South Station.  From there, we went over to Commonwealth Drive over to the Top of the Hub for lunch, then back through the Boston Public Gardens & the Commons before heading over to the North End, grabbing some pizza and wrapping it up at Fanheuil Hall for the lighting of the Christ mas Tree.

Beacon Hill is an interesting, early 19th cetury neighborhood with narrow streets, and row houses which are  almost all brick in Federal, Victorian or Georgian styles.  I especially enjoy walking around and admiring  the various window box displays each season, and I've only recently become aware that the Beacon Hill Garden Club sponsors contests to see who can create the most healthy, beautiful and unusual window box!

The narrow streets which define Beacon Hill....

Afterwards we walked over to Commonwealth Avenue, a parkway in Back Bay which is divided by a wide grassy mall.  This greenway has many statues and memorials.  

Such a pretty day, wasn't it?

It was such a pretty clear day that we went to the Top of the Hub for lunch.  You could pay $14 a person and do the skywalk, but I'd prefer to spend just a little more than this (about $20), sit down, and have a beer and and appetizer!  This is what we shared a bowl of mussels.

Quite spectacular, isn't it?  Make sure to go there if it's a clear day, you will not be disappointed.

Apparently, we exited the Prudential Center (which houses the Top of the Hub) from a different exit than we are use to, and came ended up on the Christian Science Plaza which houses the First Church of Christ Scientist. 

We took a quick peek inside before quickly slipping out!

I can see why it's called The Mother Church!

Okay, back through the Boston Public Gardens and Boston Common, which is the very first public park in the U.S.  It was perfect day to be in theGardens and park as evidenced by the hundreds of people strolling through.

 This guy is quit good, he's a one man band! and plays 1960s songs, "Smile on your brother,"....

 The ropes were connected to drums on his back!  He has a pile of assorted  hoola hoops and tamburines, etc. closeby if kids want to join in!

In season, you'll see the special Swan Boats here.

Boston Common even houses an ice skating rink!

Next, it was on to the North End, I can't go to Boston w/o going there!  

 I like the reflection of this church? in the glass building and have probably taken dozens of shots of it over the years.

We stopped at a small place for a slice of pizza and beer.

and then on to Modern Pastry, there was a line outside the door, waiting to get some of these.....

It was dusk as we headed back to South Station....

It was dusk as we headed back to South Station.....

Heading into Faneuil Hall for tree lighting ceremonies....

It's not just a simple tree lighting, the tree lights blink to music from the Boston Pops....

It was time to head back to South Station....Happy holidays everyone!