Adam and I had the most wonderful 4th of July.
For 6 years we've been in RI we've talked about going to Boston for the 5th - I know crazy.
Well Adam snagged us Red Sox tickets for the 4th and so we decided in January we'd make a long holiday weekend of the game.
We arrived in Boston on Friday - no traffic - easy ride up. Great hotel which we both swear we stayed at on our first trip in to Boston 6 years ago.
Friday we decided to walk over to the Hatch Shell to see about getting in to see the Pops practice concert that night- FUNNY! I think peole had to be lined up at like 9 am to get in to the Hatch Shell. We quickly decided it was so NOT worth it to wait in line and not see the show. So we walked around the Esplanade and tried to come up with a game plan for the 4th. We strolled around Newbury street too - and I finally got to go to Lill - I had so much fun trying to decide what purse to make, but Adam was quickly bored and we left - now I have an excuse to go to my friend's party in the coming weeks!
After a quick trip back to the hotel we decided we'd take the T over to the North End for dinner - since that is our favorite part of the city. We found a great Italian place and had the most wonderful dinner - great salads and awesome woodfired pizzas. The Sangria wasn't half bad either!
We spent the evening strolling around the city, Feuniel Hall, watching the street performers and enjoying the wonderful weather on our walk back to the hotel.
For the 4th, we initially thought we'd get up at 8 and go to the hatch shell to get wrist bands to go back in after the game, but after the insanity that was the practice concert - we decided getting there at 8 wasn't going to cut it and that arriving after the game we'd still probably be without a spot. So we slept in and took our time strolling the city to get over to Fenway.
The game - despite the loss - was a great game! We had excellent seats, delicious Fenway Franks and ice cream helmet treats and were so thrilled to be in the Grandstand under the balcony and out of the hot sun.
The game was Veterans and ALS Day and Curt Schilling came out to read Lou Gherigs's Greatest Man Alive Speech before the game started - that was so awesome to see Schilling - he's one of my favorite players.
After the game, we headed back to the hotel to cool off and decided we'd give going to the Esplanade our best shot.
So glad we gave it a shot instead of just going over to MIT. We had a great spot on the lawn in direct view of the barge.
We had MANY hours to wait though, and chatted with those around us and enjoyed the people watching. We saw some beautiful dogs that had on red white and blue bandanas and little patriotic top hats - doggie size - kid you not - it was awesome! We watched the boats on the water - and even watch a small sail boat loose two of it's three sailors and have to swim to another boat. That boat seriously had some issues!
We snacked on over priced vendor food and hung out waiting for the concert to start at 8:30 and be piped in to the Esplanade. The cocnert was great, even if we couldn't see it. We sang along to Neil Diamond and the All American Sing Along. Then it was time for the reason we were there.
The fireworks were WONDERFUL! Seriously some of the best fireworks we've seen. It was so worth it. We were so close actually we both got ash on us and paper from the firework shells... yeah nothing says you had a good fourth unless you're covered in shrapnel when you leave!
After the fireworks we strolled back to the hotel and called it a night.
It was by far one of the best Fourth of Julys I've ever had in my life. Very cool - I've always wanted to go to Boston for the 4th - and now that I've done it, not sure I need to do it again - but maybe a few years from now who knows.
Pictures of the weekend are below - Enjoy! I'll try posting a video clip too!
