Craig waited about an hour and a half to meet Bill Rodgers and get his autograph. What a treat that was! Bill, famous marathoner and 4 time winner of Boston, is very personable and it was well-worth the wait.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Boston 19 - Bill Rodgers
Last of all, we went back to Bill Rodgers Running Store.
Craig waited about an hour and a half to meet Bill Rodgers and get his autograph. What a treat that was! Bill, famous marathoner and 4 time winner of Boston, is very personable and it was well-worth the wait.
Craig waited about an hour and a half to meet Bill Rodgers and get his autograph. What a treat that was! Bill, famous marathoner and 4 time winner of Boston, is very personable and it was well-worth the wait.
Boston 18 - USS Constitution
Last on our list of tourist attractions, we went to see the USS Constitution. I think my dad would have really enjoyed this.
The ship is nicknamed "Old Ironsides," not because it has any iron in it, but because she withstood so much in battle.
The ship is nicknamed "Old Ironsides," not because it has any iron in it, but because she withstood so much in battle.
Boston 17 - Bunker Hill Monument
We crossed the Charles River and went to see Bunker Hill Monument.This was built to commemorate the first major battle of the American Revolution.
We climbed the 294 steps to the top of the monument. At the top, you have quite a nice view of the area, though it was somewhat lessened by the rain and clouds of the day.
The room on top is very small, with a little resting bench.
A man with a little boy came up just after us, huffing and puffing just like we had. We headed down, down, down. After all 294 steps, I suddenly noticed what I should have noticed 293 steps ago. I DID NOT HAVE MY PURSE!!! Unbelievable! So Craig started back up the 294 steps (what a guy!) but the other man soon met him, and he had the purse. (It didn't match his outfit, but I was glad to see it!)
We climbed the 294 steps to the top of the monument. At the top, you have quite a nice view of the area, though it was somewhat lessened by the rain and clouds of the day.
The room on top is very small, with a little resting bench.
A man with a little boy came up just after us, huffing and puffing just like we had. We headed down, down, down. After all 294 steps, I suddenly noticed what I should have noticed 293 steps ago. I DID NOT HAVE MY PURSE!!! Unbelievable! So Craig started back up the 294 steps (what a guy!) but the other man soon met him, and he had the purse. (It didn't match his outfit, but I was glad to see it!)
Boston 16 - Boston Public Garden
Our last day was rainy, but I really wanted to walk through the Boston Public Garden.
The end of April in Boston is just the very beginning of spring. There were lots of flower beds filled with tulips, not yet open. But here and there, we did find a brave tulip, too impatient to wait for warmer weather.
Now the real reason I wanted to go to the Boston Public Gardens was because it is featured in a favorite book of mine, Make Way for Ducklings. (I don't remember reading this as a child, but I read it many times in my "2nd childhood," when I devoured children's literature with 3 little girls!)
In the garden, there are these statues of Mrs. Mallard and her children, though one of the eight seems to be missing.
We saw Mr. and Mrs. Mallard too, but I think it's too early for little ducklings.
We saw the swan boats, but they were not in operation because of the weather.
The end of April in Boston is just the very beginning of spring. There were lots of flower beds filled with tulips, not yet open. But here and there, we did find a brave tulip, too impatient to wait for warmer weather.
Now the real reason I wanted to go to the Boston Public Gardens was because it is featured in a favorite book of mine, Make Way for Ducklings. (I don't remember reading this as a child, but I read it many times in my "2nd childhood," when I devoured children's literature with 3 little girls!)
In the garden, there are these statues of Mrs. Mallard and her children, though one of the eight seems to be missing.
We saw Mr. and Mrs. Mallard too, but I think it's too early for little ducklings.
We saw the swan boats, but they were not in operation because of the weather.
Monday, April 20, 2009
At the half
113th Boston Marathon 2009
Runner: CB
Latest Results:
Location -- 10 K
Time -- 1:48:56
Pace/mile -- 8:18
And here I go - to take the train and meet him!
Runner: CB
Latest Results:
Location -- 10 K
Time -- 1:48:56
Pace/mile -- 8:18
And here I go - to take the train and meet him!
At the 10K
113th Boston Marathon 2009
Runner: CB
Latest Results:
Location -- 10 K
Time -- 0:50:47
Pace/mile -- 8:10
Runner: CB
Latest Results:
Location -- 10 K
Time -- 0:50:47
Pace/mile -- 8:10
We interrupt this tour of Boston. . .
We interrupt this tour of Boston. . . to bring you Marathon News.
Craig left on the hotel shuttle this morning at 430am. He is joined by his Iphone, and has sent a few pictures. Below, waiting at the Quincy Adams station.
After taking the train to downtown Boston, Craig and about 26,000 of his closest friends take buses from downtown Boston to Hopkinton, where the marathon begins.
It is a bit chilly this morning, 42 degrees now. But that's ever so much better than cold and rainy!
Craig reports there are portapotties as far as the eye can see.
Below, is Athlete's Village. Craig says only 2 1/2 hours of freezing left before the race!
Craig left on the hotel shuttle this morning at 430am. He is joined by his Iphone, and has sent a few pictures. Below, waiting at the Quincy Adams station.
After taking the train to downtown Boston, Craig and about 26,000 of his closest friends take buses from downtown Boston to Hopkinton, where the marathon begins.
It is a bit chilly this morning, 42 degrees now. But that's ever so much better than cold and rainy!
Craig reports there are portapotties as far as the eye can see.
Below, is Athlete's Village. Craig says only 2 1/2 hours of freezing left before the race!
Boston 15 - Park Street Church
Sunday morning, we went to church at Park Street Church. We saw thatJohn Piper was going to be speaking, so we figured it was a good church to visit while in town.
Piper was great; both thought-provoking and personable.
Below, if you look at the clock, you will note that it is 745am and we have already arrived for the 830 service. Such a thing has never happened before! So we went in and sat down. The lady in front of us had gone to Calvin College. This far from Michigan, the Hope/Calvin rivalry did not seem so significant.
One interesting thing - this is the first time I can remember that people asked where we were from, and I just say Michigan. In my head, I'm thinking Texas, but I know they are not really asking where I'm from but where I live now.
We met an interesting couple behind us. They live in Connecticut now, but are from Texas (Houston and Dallas). It's almost like they lived a parallel life; they lived in Edmond (before we did) and they homeschooled their kids. We talked for a long time and we felt quite at home, even in Boston, if you can believe it.
A harpist played for the offertory, and guess what she played? A lovely rendition of "How Great Thou Art." I love the harp, and I hope that someday I can take lessons. Just for fun.
Piper was great; both thought-provoking and personable.
Below, if you look at the clock, you will note that it is 745am and we have already arrived for the 830 service. Such a thing has never happened before! So we went in and sat down. The lady in front of us had gone to Calvin College. This far from Michigan, the Hope/Calvin rivalry did not seem so significant.
One interesting thing - this is the first time I can remember that people asked where we were from, and I just say Michigan. In my head, I'm thinking Texas, but I know they are not really asking where I'm from but where I live now.
We met an interesting couple behind us. They live in Connecticut now, but are from Texas (Houston and Dallas). It's almost like they lived a parallel life; they lived in Edmond (before we did) and they homeschooled their kids. We talked for a long time and we felt quite at home, even in Boston, if you can believe it.
A harpist played for the offertory, and guess what she played? A lovely rendition of "How Great Thou Art." I love the harp, and I hope that someday I can take lessons. Just for fun.
Boston 13 - The Finish Line
We were walking downtown and we saw people setting up the bleachers and things for race day. Craig was glad to get a good look at the finish line.
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