June 13

The big news of the day is that our passports arrived! This was not without a lot of effort and many minutes on the phone with the United States Postal Service. But we have them and we are going to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls where the views are incredible.

Today was my long run. I got dressed and took a brisk walk to the Charles River about 3/4 mile from our hotel and started my run there. Running in Boston is very popular. There is a running specialty store on every block and signs and advertisements everywhere advocating running. Trails are built specifically for runners and everywhere you go, you will see runners. It is really awesome. The trails are wonderful. You can run on asphalt, cement or dirt - take your pick. Water fountains are everywhere - no problem there. I enjoyed the run but will admit to being very hot and SWEATY by the time I finished. I have been eating so much on this trip that I did not even eat before running and I never hit empty. This is a little scary to say the least. I am worried about the scales when I get home. But there will be time enough for that worry. After my run, I stopped at the Charles River Bistro - a cute little riverside outdoor restaurant where a jazz trio was playing. I was feeling pretty hungry by now so grabbed a snack and took the long way home. I walked through the Public Garden - part of Boston Commons. What a beautiful garden! There are flowers everywhere and a lagoon running through the center of the park where you can get on a boat shaped like a swan and ride from one end to the other. Boston has taken care of  making sure there are gardens and an opportunity to experience greenery in the middle of a big city. There are parks and lagoons everywhere. It is an incredibly beautiful city. The evenings are amazing - warm and beautiful and night life everywhere - but a healthy night life. People just enjoying each other with music playing on street corners and laughter in the air. It is really a wonderful place.

David did talk us into going to the Museum of Fine Arts - one of the biggest art museums in the world. Besides the fact that we WALKED there -once again - and my feet and legs are so tired by now - it was really wonderful being there. I will never have the ability my husband does to stay in cool, dark buildings and look at things but the art was amazing and it was impossible not to enjoy it.

Tonight, we found a pizza place that is better than home. Yep, better. It was so delicious that we all ate way too much. Tomorrow - Fenway Park and then on to Niagara Falls. Trip coming to an end but the best is last and I am excited to see the Falls even though it is supposed to rain while we are there.