Bahston Trip

Work took me east, so as usual I had to make an expedition out of it

Not sure there's any airplane food better than an Alaska Airlines cheese plate.

Land at Logan, drive north to

Find a local place for dinner...does every restaurant in the world now serve Brussels sprouts?

Next evening, dinner is a 5 star meal of fried everything....so good!!!! Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine...yes, this was a 3 state visit.

USS Albacore

Friday morn...the work folks agreed to let me stay an extra day, since Saturday air fares are much lower. So I have a free day later in Boston; not a bad place to spend some time off.

On the drive down...

The coastal town of Rye

breakfast for $4.75

Best state motto ever

My Boston hotel is near Logan Airport, across the bay from downtown. I immediately buy an unlimited transit pass and vow to wear it out.

Childhood friend Sue has a son LP now at MIT who is also the subject of one of my all time favorite experiences....

In 2008, LP is a 12 year old budding track star in Tucson, sometimes running at the same track at 14-time Olympian Bernard Lagat.

Sue sends me the picture before 2008 Olympic Trials, and I bring the picture with me to Eugene. My crazy mind says that if I can track down Mr Lagat, I'll get a picture of him holding the picture of LP.

And I do...

That night, I figure out how to send a picture text (remember, this was 11 years ago), so I deliver the picture to Sue with the caption, "Me and my Eugene buddy." She loses her mind, as does LP, who quickly makes the grainy picture into wallpaper.

Now LP is in post-grad work in Cambridge, and shows me around campus. I can't come close to describing what goes on there...serious brainiac stuff.

what????

However, I do require a visit to this building...

Charles Draper is not familiar to most Americans. But the guy is a stud...in 1961, he is awarded a contract to develop a guidance system for NASA; he and his students figure out how to navigate thru outer space, making the moon landings possible.

Then there's this...

Officer Collier was shot and killed by the two dipstick brothers who bombed the Marathon...if the brothers hadn't shot him, they probably don't draw attention to themselves. Stupid is as stupid does....

LP walks me over to the Hynes Convention Center, where I experience the Boston Marathon Expo. Very cool...and lots of overpriced swag.

And if you ever have to navigate 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boylston Street, just following the blue lines...

To here...

2;30...gotta go. The Solid Ground Cafe closes at 3pm, and they have PORK ROLL SANDWICHES!!!! Look, I get that running a marathon is important, but we're talking pork roll

Onto the Green Line train....I call ahead and tell them I've traveled 3000 miles for their house specialty, and please for the LOVE OF GOD keep the doors open. They say no problem, plenty of time....

The train stops....breakdown ahead. No, please no.

15 minutes later, still no movement. I bail and wait for a bus, which crawls thru city traffic. 2:57 and we're stationary, still 3 blocks away. Time to run....

I arrive huffing and puffing as they are putting the CLOSED sign in the window. One look at my face and they see the desperation, the terror in my soul. Then they laugh....I don't care, because they place this pile of goodness in my hand...

and all is right with the world again. 

Given that the forecast now calls for rain, it's a trip to REI...and then a glance up Beacon Street...this sign is a familiar (and welcome) sight to marathon runners, as it comes with a mile to go.

Hmmm...I'm walking past Fenway Park, and the Red Sox are playing the Orioles tonite. Maybe a $15 ticket? Nah, it's cold and breezy, and I have early plans tomorrow. So I detour here...

And I behave myself...

Shhh...don't wake him

For dessert, it's clam chowder at Legal Sea Foods, so I can negate the health benefits of the salad. Except, I order the 'lite' chowder, without cream.

Don't bother. Entirely lacking in taste.

I see this cat shredding outside Fanueil Hall

Saturday morning, and I'm back in the city at 0545, desperate for a drugstore, as my Advil supply is non-existent and my back is knotted up.

Then it's off to to Charles Street for the Boston Athletic Association 5k, where I offer to help fellow track official (and Marathon Finish Line Marshal) Tom...

Thank goodness for the newly acquired raingear, because it's dumping buckets out here.

Afterward, back to the hotel and off to the airport. A smooth ride back home, the Denver sprint from B18 to B86 notwithstanding.

Between the Boston Marathon and a pork roll sandwich, this was a good trip.