Love It When A Plan Comes Together

On a whim, and thanks for low airfare out of Pittsburgh, my girls and I will be hitting up the great state of Massacusetts for a weekend 5k. And yes, that will be state #34! But the best part is how we gave this weekend getaway a theme - Boston Authors.

Since the race isn't till Sunday, we'll spend Saturday bouncing around Concord to visit Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, Nathaniel Hawthorne's Old Manse, and Thoreau's Walden. We'll also check out the Minutemen National Park. Best of all, the weekend we're there is a special reenactment - costumes and everything! Both Meg and Bridget are excited - bonus! The race is in Cambridge, which is truly beautiful in the fall. Can't wait. Oh, and did I mention it's an Oktoberfest race and they award prizes for the best costumes. Looks like I have a little sewing to do...

To prepare for this trip, I've decided to polish up on my Boston Authors. Time to reread Little Women, read Scarlett Letter (for the first time, I know, right?), and reread Civil Disobedience. So much fun.

Boston - And So the Trip Begins

Early morning flight to Boston. Stayed at the Nine Zero, a Kimpton hotel. Ever since we stayed at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar in Westwood on Wilshire Blvd. earlier this year, we've become loyal customers. We have stayed at a Kimpton in LA, Portland OR, Chicagoand now Boston and each location has not disappointed. The Boston location was perfect. Husband quickly departed for a print conference while us girlies spent a wonderful afternoon at the New England Aquarium. The penguin exhibit was fantastic and The IMAX movie Under the Sea 3D was incredible. We girls enjoyed lunch at the Aquarium's cafe before spending a little quality time on Newbury Street.




Too many shops on Newbury Street, but I can always count on Zara's to lighten my wallet. I wish I could remember the coffee shop, but Megan and I will definitely always remember the great scent and flavor of our coffee! For dinner we hit up the North End for the BEST lobster roll at Neptune's Oyster. No trip to the North End is complete with a visit to Mike's Pastries...mmm!

After a good night's rest, we woke up to wish Meg a happy 16th birthday! Greg found this great little breakfast spot on Charles Street where we had some kick ass coffee. A short detour through the cemetary then off to Cambridge for a little Harvard diversion. Cambridge is a quaint town, but after seeing the campus I can now understand why some people refer to Ohio University as the Harvard on the Hocking. Now off to Portsmouth, NH.