planes, trains, and automobiles (Part 9)

East Coast Trip (Part 9) - Boston (tours)

We had a little of the red line left to follow. We had planned to do it after our Duck Tour, but they were sold out until later, so it became our morning filler. Filler, until my birthday present. I was excited. J was a little apprehensive. (And you should probably be afraid, very afraid). J and S gave me a photo walking tour for my birthday. We'd chosen to tour Beacon Hill. Our guide runs her own photo walking tour business, and our tour consisted of just the guide, J and I. And I took a few pictures. (A very few of those are below. Seriously, that's just a few.) After our the walking tour we wandered back through the Public Garden, past the Mrs. Mallard and her little ducklings. Then hopped on our own Duck, the amphibious tour of Boston. Our tour guide was awesome, we just wished we'd taken the tour when we first got to Boston instead of our last afternoon. There were so many things we would have liked to have seen, had we only known about them. Our trip was great. We even got to see some changing leaves. And the sunset was satisfying that last evening. A painted sky for our farewell to Boston. Only eclipsed by our trip's finale. At Finale.

******

You can see larger versions of the images by clicking on them.

planes, trains, and automobiles (Part 8)

East Coast Trip (Part 8) - Boston (Freedom Trail)

We found the red line easily enough. Just where she said we could find it. I wanted to describe everything. I even bought the book to read about all of the historic stuff, so I could write about it. I just haven't had time. Perhaps I'll fill in the blanks after I do. In the meantime, the only story you really need to know is we walked the Freedom Trail, then relaxed a bit over a cup of coffee. Then we hopped a subway train so we could make it back in time for our tickets. To the Blue Man Group. It rocked. We finished the day with amazing Italian food in the North End and cannolis to go. I'd keep being long winded but I'm as tired of writing about every detail as you are of reading. Besides, isn't a picture worth a thousand words?

******

You can see larger versions of the images by clicking on them.

planes, trains, and automobiles (Part 7)

East Coast Trip (Part 7) - Boston (new old friends)

On the train from New York I continued to stare out the window as J slept. What an adventure it had been so far. I watched the leaves swirl around the train. Excited for our upcoming tour of Boston, although sad to leave my friends behind. The train was long. I could have slept when we got into the hotel room. But hunger won out. We headed out in search of food. I hoped for seafood. Lobster to be specific, but J disagreed, and we ended up at a very old tavern where those same Fathers of our country that we heard about in Philly were said to have congregated. We pub crawled a bit after dinner, then turned in. The hotel we stayed at was incredible. Gotta love priceline. The beds were worth every discounted cent. The next morning we met Aleka* for brunch. I was nervous to meet her even though I've met a few others through this blog thing. I recognized her easily in our hotel lobby, and we hugged hello. And I knew I had nothing to worry about. She's even more amazing in person than she seems through her writing. We chatted over coffee and tea. Like old friends. I wasn't sure if J felt included in all of the conversation. It was easy to think I'd known Aleka forever. We talked easily. Aleka gave J and I suggestions on where we should go, what we should see. Then it was time for us to head back to the hotel so I could grab the big camera and we could begin our wanderings. On the way back, we saw a Duck, and decided that would be a good way to see Boston. Tomorrow. We also picked up tickets for that night. After grabbing the camera, we cut through part of the Public Garden on our way to Boston Common. That was where our wanderings for the day were to begin. ****** Although something made me laugh along the way, you never know where you might come across someone with a random pumpkin in Boston. ****** You can see larger versions of the images by clicking on them. * That's us at the bottom of the picture with the tree and church. Really.

planes, trains, and automobiles (Part 6)

East Coast Trip (Part 6) - Brooklyn and New York

I was a little melancholy on the train ride further north. I miss my friends. The trip so far had reminded me just how much. We were on our way to stay with my freshman year roommate, R, her husband and kids. She joined me in Philly the last time, when we visited our other roommate. The realization that our days of carefree girls' trips like those might be only in our past made me sad. Our lazy night cooking dinner at home, relaxing over remember-when conversation and wine was perfect. I thought so, anyway. But it was a short stop, and the next morning we were back on a train. Once back in the City, we picked up keys at M's office in the financial district, since our attempt to store our bags for a quick wander was unsuccessful, and hopped in a cab to Brooklyn. We waited and re-caffeinated until M got off work and could meet us. Over beer, we waited for her husband to join us and talked about when they might come to Colorado for a visit. M said they'd try soon. I knew she meant it.* P walked up and joined right into our conversation. We finished up our beers and walked to dinner at one of their favorite places. Sitting at the table in their new neighborhood, I couldn't help thinking that it felt right visiting them there. They're in their element in Brooklyn. As happy as they seemed at their wedding festivities, they seem even happier somehow there. After getting to sleep-in finally, J and I headed into the City. Since it was raining, and we'd both recently been to NYC, we headed for some indoor wandering at the Met. The Tiffany windows, reconstructed Egyptian tomb, and facades of buildings were incredible, as was the photography exhibit of New Orleans after Katrina. That night after wine and cheese in Brooklyn with M & P, we met various friends for dinner. R came down on the train and her friend C, whom I'd known for years met us after work. J's friend from home, who's consulting in the City, joined us, too. I couldn't help smiling. Dinner with so many friends in a city far from home could make me fall in love with a place. Well, if only they had a mountain nearby. After dinner, and far too many drinks, we headed to a bar, or was it a club. However it should be classified, drinking with my college friends and dancing with R brought back many entertaining college memories. I love that I have so many amazing places to visit with my friends scattered across the country. But I hate that my best friends are so far away. ****** You can see larger versions of the images by clicking on them. * M's one of those friends who says she'll visit and does. I'd thought more of my friends, particularly those whose weddings and baby showers I'd travelled for, might come to my 30th birthday celebration arranged by my sister, but M was the only one who made the trip.

democracy at it's finest worst

I just stood in line for 2 hours and 15 minutes to spend 2 minutes in a booth, push a few buttons, and be part of the democratic process. Seriously.

Denver has changed their Precincts over to "Voting Centers" to make "for a swift, convenient voting experience." Yes, that's what they said.

Swift? Convenient? Swift and convenient is how it used to be. I used to walk TheDog a few blocks away, park her outside, walk in, vote and walk back home. I'd be home before 7:15.

This morning I drove to the nearest voting center early, got there 10 minutes before the polls opened. And yet it wasn't until 9:15 that I was on my way to work.

And yes, there was a long ballot this year, but that certainly wasn't what was causing the delays. When I got to the room with the polling booths, half were empty. Were they working? Yes. It was the need to look up every single voter's precinct and appropriate voting districts on a very few laptops that was holding everyone up.

Perhaps allowing voters to vote in more convenient locations is a good idea, but the method by which it is being done today is definitely not. Things need to change. Perhaps put the voters precinct information on the green card they mail to every regiustered voter. Then they'd only have to look up a few voters' information, those who had change of addresses or forgot their cards.

I think the long wait caused by this new method throughout Denver will definitely affect voter turnout. Can the average voter really afford to spend 2 hours in line to vote? What happens when the backlog becomes even greater? Will those who show up at the voting centers at 6:55 tonight even be voting on election day?

It could be interesting. But it is definitely a disgrace.


Had to vent, more tales of my travels when I simmer down.