Fun in the Commonwealth!

We had to make the most of what's left of summer, so we headed back to the coast with Mr. Nelson. One day in Rockport to play by the ocean (and eat AMAZING seafood) and one day in Boston. The weather was great, so we were able to walk all of the Freedom Trail in Boston. We took advantage of the subway, too, and managed to avoid getting lost. Best part of the trip? Finding Leinie's on tap at a bar in the North End of Boston. Oddly enough, we found Leinie's a few days earlier at a store in Northampton--we think it's Jeff, so we're encouraging him to come back and visit often!

A few pictures from our adventures:


Jay and Jeff feasted on lobster, which they named Helmut and Garcia.


Jay mourns the loss of tasty Garcia.


The view while we ate dinner. Jeff and Heidi disagree on the location of a really cool object on the horizon.


Fenway!

Recovering from The Bear Who Lumbers

Was awesome to host his majesty, Sir Jeffness, CEO and president of the Nelsonic Party. Trips to emergency rooms were minimal. If any laws were broken, we did not get caught, so they don't count against us.

More detailed updates, and perhaps a few pics, to come soon.

- The Royal We



P.S. Jeff, this one's for you:

Salem & Rockport

It took us nearly a year, but we (finally!) made it to the Atlantic coast last weekend, starting with a visit to Salem, MA, about 45 minutes northeast of Boston. Salem's claims to fame include the infamous witch trials of 1692 and Nathanial Hawthorne. One of the oldest cemetaries in the country is located here, and next to it is this monument to the 19 individuals who were hung in the aftermath of the witch trials. Each bench has the name of one of the accused and date of death carved into it.

Salem was once a major shipping port. The National Maritime Historical Service offers several tours along the wharf, including visiting this replica of an old sailing ship moored in the harbor.
No explanation required.


After spending the day in Salem we drove another 45 minutes to Rockport, an old fishing village and resort community on the tip of Cape Anne.


View of Rockport's harbor, looking east into the Atlantic.

(Left) Rockport's small "downtown" along the harbor features several blocks of small artists' galleries, shops, and restaurants. (Below) Stacks of lobster traps.

(Left) Sea kayaks along the boardwalk.

Digging in the dirt

Earlier this week Boone and I made a semi-surprise visit to Heidi and the gang at the archaeology field school going on in Old Deerfield, on the grounds of the Barnard Tavern.

We learned that the most annoying thing visitors can can ask during a dig is "Find anything yet?" Therefore, we asked this question multiple times during our short visit.

There are several pits being excavated as part of this dig. The pit on the right has been nicknamed The Stargate because 17th and 18th century artifacts have been unexpectedly found above more recent items.
(Here's a real Stargate.)


(Left) Boone shares his excitement at his discovery of the Barnard Tavern's front door.

(Right) Heidi and Boone were very impressed with this bulletin board.

(Right) However, in an ugly incident for all involved, Jay and Boone did not see eye to eye on the bulletin board. The two were soon escorted from the dig site.


- jbc