The Brick 'n Blooms of Comm Ave

One of the best things about Boston is its architecture. A wonderful day about town can simply be had by strolling through the neighborhoods. (Possibly made more fun with a road soda, #justsayin.) 

Back Bay's Commonwealth Avenue has no shortage of beautiful brownstones that flank the grassy, tree-lined mall which divides it. This mall, filled with trees and statues, forms the narrowest link in the "Emerald Necklace" of Boston. The historic plan, hatched in the late 1880s, connects more than 1,100 aces of park space from Boston to Brookline. How very before-their-time green of Boston.

As the three day weekend approaches, plan to take some time to get out ya walkin' shoes, get outside to get moving and enjoy the city.

-xo-

eb

Boston Walkabout

Today was one of those, "get out of the house and get movin'" type of days. Partly because of spring fever, but mostly because I had construction going on in my apartment. And, much to my weekend dismay, unlike San Francisco (which has a law that makes it illegal for residential construction to start before 9am), the Irish lads working on my place like to show up around 7:15am. Ouch, says the weekend sleeping in gods.

OK! So out and about we go. A total of 9 miles walked from one side of the city to the other. A bit windy, but all in all, good to feel the sunshine. With the goal of the Bunker Hill Monument in mind, a friend and I meandered across the Mass Ave bridge, along the river taking in the water sports, all the way to Charlestown. A really charming little neighborhood, with it's traditional New England clapboard houses. Two hundred and ninety four steps later, and we were at the top of the Monument.

A post-climb stop at Massachusetts oldest tavern, the Warren Tavern (we're talking 1780 here, people) for an Allagash or two was much needed. We passed on the food, as the standard bar fare looked, well, fairly standard. It was then off to the Navy Yard, the North End (new favorite dive bar there would be the humble and oh-so-Boston Corner Cafe - lots of accents in here) for a beer and pizza and a stroll through the Commons and Garden.

The city is really starting to rumble from it's slumber. Lots of runners, walkers and bikers had the same idea today. Wake up, Boston! Spring is here!

-xo-

eb

crew practice on the charles.

sails away!

love these colors.

the pond is full at the boston garden!

i was here two days ago, and it was an empty muddy mess!

YAY spring :)

i liked the look of this here truck.

can see tooling around during summer in it.

just add a cooler, dog and some company 'n tunes. beach time, anyone?

294 steps to the top.

#workitout

hey there, mister. 

Go Read

Last week, I went exploring in Boston's Public Library. Just like a lot of things in this town, it's old. Established in 1848, it was the first large library to open in the US, and the first to check out books. Crazy. It's the second largest library in this great country, with 8.9 million books. In a world of 140 characters, that's a lot of words. 

There are two main entrances to the library which lead to two vastly different main buildings. I entered on the Boylston side through the Johnson building, a 1972 addition to the main library. This building, well, is a little, errr depressing? It's what you would expect from a municipal building built in the 70s: few windows and a vast amount grey concrete. People have likened it to a mausoleum. Yikes.

At any rate, there's still much to explore and tons of people watching to be done in the Johnson building. I walked by a public talk on the past and future of local jazz in Boston. Pretty cool. The real magic, however, is passing through the Johnson building to the McKim building. The McKim building was erected in 1895 and was called the "palace for the people." And today, it still feels like it. Quiet, serene and totally peaceful, you can't help but imagine the about of learning that has happened there. I was totally surprised to stumble upon a beautiful courtyard that was almost Alhambra-like in its subtle and simple beauty. 

I got lost in the library for a couple of hours, it's easy to do with all the titles of public record books from the days of the first Pilgrims and the earliest Americans. It's still summer here, but something tells me that the library might be a good place to hibranate in the coming winter months. 

Read on, people! Read on...

xo, 

eb

The front of the McKim building. It faces Trinity Church and Copley Square, 

which all sit in the shadow of the John Hancock building.

I think that says 1895.

(ok - I only know that thanks to Wiki)

The grand entrance to the McKim building.

I loved these lights in the Johnson (read: retro) building.

Miles o' miles o' books.

For all the surfers in my life.

Old stuff.

First page of old stuff:

Emigrants; religious exiles; political rebels. 

An amazing book of all the names of the rule breakers from days of ol'.

Social life in Old New Englad?

Wonder how it's different from social life in New New England.

And can we talk about the Customs and Fashions in Old New Englad?

Hmmm....

#bestcoast

The courtyard. Amazing. Quiet. Peaceful. Happy place.

Straight from a movie set.

I wanted to steal this lamp. 

It's a turtle!

The front of the McKim building. Check out those insane lamps.

Like I said, keep reading people. Keep reading. 

Or one day, we could lose these amazing public institutes.

Homes of New England

I love exploring the city via foot and bike. It's a perfect way to appreciate the unique architecture. 

People say that Boston is a London lookalike. Low, brown and brick, the streets twisting and turning, I can see why they say that. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm in US. Sounds silly, but the West is a total 180 from here. It's vast, gridded and weirdly, light. San Francisco has always amazed me  in how light it is. All the buildings are a mixture of white, lights pinks, yellows and light concrete. Breathtaking when viewed from the Bay...

But Boston is gorgeous, too. Very old world. Very fun to explore. Except more Homes of New England posts. They're too pretty not to showcase.

xo, 

eb

P.S. Also! I saw my first "hilly" street last night in Boston! It's so flat here - such an adjustment after climbing the hills of SF daily. It made me a little homesick - funny what a hilly street can make ya feel after living in the city by the Bay.

See that slight angle of the sidewalk - a hill!

My favorite alley in Boston thus far. 

Cobblestoned and quiet, complete with an American flag.

Union Park by night.

South End fleurs.

Sunny Friday

Brick by Brick

The longer I live here, the more I'm coming to love my neighborhood.

The faces are starting to get familiar, the spring showers are causing some awfully gorgeous blooms and the food is still the best in Boston.

Enjoy some South End snaps.

xo,
eb

Every 'hood needs a cathedral. 

Faces of the Vine.

Red and Blue.

My park.