In Transit, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

 
A Red Line subway train arrives at the Park Street station.

Riders pause to monitor the board for departure times and gate assignments at the South Station Amtrak and Commuter Rail train terminal. South Station first opened in 1899.

Passengers walking through the train terminal.

Manomet Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

In words attributed to Winnie the Pooh, "sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes, I just sits." This east-facing view looks across Cape Cod Bay.  Twenty miles distant is the upper arm of Cape Cod. Water temp at a mid-bay buoy is still only 41 degrees F.

Bluff-top houses are majestic and dramatic places but, not always without some potential hazard. In this case, the sandy slope has given way, eroding right up to the porch steps. Likely an expensive proposition to remediate.



A load of boulders will be placed to shore up the base of the bluff and hopefully stabilize it against future collapse.



This house seems to be far enough back from the edge and the stabilizing plant growth may ward off a similar problem from occurring.

Out and About, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

This red-shouldered hawk frequents my neighborhood pond. Here he takes a breather from the half-dozen crows that were relentlessly harassing him. (Point and shoot through double paned glass).



This larger-than-life size statue of Massasoit stands on the hillside above the memorial that covers the Plymouth Rock in downtown Plymouth. Massasoit was a Native American leader at that time who helped the Pilgrims and largely prevented the starvation and failure of the Plymouth Colony in 1621.



It may still be winter-like but, a scoop of ice cream on a warmish sunny day (mid-50's F) at the downtown waterfront is still a winner for New Englanders.



No boats at the slips yet but, soon they will return - and this green park grass will welcome outdoor concerts again this summer when the Project Arts of Plymouth gets underway with free shows every Wednesday evening over the ten-week summer season. Whatever the season, it's good livin' here in "America's Hometown."



A few days later, the red-shouldered hawk had found a friend. I didn't see them making sparks but, 'tis the season.

"Cheryl Wheeler," Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

It's been a very long time coming but, at last, The Spire Center for Performing Arts welcomed Cheryl Wheeler and Kenny White to the stage. Over the past few years, the show was scheduled and postponed and rescheduled and postponed multiple times due to the Covid pandemic.

It was a sold out crowd of enthusiastic fans who enjoyed the wonderful storytelling, musical craft, and biting wit of both Ms. Wheeler and Mr. White. They have played together for decades.

"St. Patrick's Day / Evacuation Day Parade," South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the annual parade in South Boston kicked off on the first day of spring to a screaming crowd of thousands as a hailstorm of confetti filled the sky.

There's just something about confetti I like..........in this case, the green, orange, and white are the colors of the Irish flag.



But I am getting ahead of myself. This outing began with a 30-mile drive from home to the Red Line subway station parking garage at the Quincy-Adams station, then a 10-mile ride on the packed train to Broadway in South Boston. The train was standing room only, mostly filled with 20-somethings, drinking nips and beers, vaping cannabis, and generally talking and laughing loudly. Nobody had on masks even though they are still required on public transport. I was the only old man in my train car and I got to sit in the special "reserved for seniors and disabled" seat.  In the image above, arriving at Broadway, the river of humans steadily poured out of the underground right into the starting point of the parade. 

The usual cast of politicians led the show - the Governor, the Mayor of Boston, and other elected types - but the many tens of thousands of spectators were here to see the other participants and partake in the general hoopla - marching bands, floats, swirling flags, dancing troupes, and lots of Irish music.



Nothing like live music regardless the venue.



Especially if the band has bagpipers.



A contingent from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.



Members of the Sheet Metal Workers union ("Tin Men") had great costumes/uniforms.



Police confer with a parade official as they stage the starting line.



A participant passes out green necklace swag.



Miss Boston.



Miss Massachusetts.



Looking back at the starting line as the parade winds down. Crowds were thick on both sides of the route, mostly choking the sidewalks. It was a perfect day for a parade - 60+ degrees F, no wind, no rain, and mostly overcast.

I am already looking forward to next year..........my advice - leave early, expect full and slow subway trains on the Red Line and, expect densely packed human company both on the train and at the parade. Pack lots of patience and tolerance. 

Out and About, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

It was much colder than I prefer and the bitter wind was howling but, a sunshine filled day in Boston is always a winner to stroll on the Boston Common.

Also on the Boston Common.

Entrance to the Public Garden with some gritty processing enhancement.

The George Washington statue in the Public Garden. I was always impressed that the artist included the detail of veins in the horse's face.



Strolling the Commonwealth Avenue Mall in the Back Bay neighborhood. No signs of spring yet but, soon.

A quiet intersection in the Back Bay along Commonwealth Avenue westbound. Wandering around Boston is as good as cities anywhere but, I can visit without airfare and an expensive hotel - and I sort of speak the local Boston language/dialect after living in the area for 25 years.

Out and About, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

It is a rare day that I don't visit the beach - preferably to walk on but, at least a drive-by if it's too cold and windy.



The wind was howling and cold so not many folks were out and about - I didn't last very long either.



It never occurred to me that this was a problem at White Horse Beach.



Dog Art.



A gull takes flight along the surf line. (With some black and white processing manipulation).



Tidal variation here is usually about 10 feet from high to low. At low tide, this entire rock garden at the south end of the beach is exposed. Tide pools harbor all sorts of small aquatic life - perfect for an inquisitive kid with a bucket and shovel.

"Joe Louis Walker," Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Blues master, Joe Louis Walker and his band, returned recently to Plymouth's Spire Center for Performing Arts for another outstanding evening of live music.

Another great evening at Plymouth's premier live music venue.  The main floor seats about 220 folks in 11 rows so there is not a bad seat in the house. Top-notch modern sound and light systems add to the wonderful patron experience - and the natural acoustics of the 135-year-old former church are also pretty special.

Out and About, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Icicles at sunrise. Winter still has us in its grip but, the days are getting noticeably longer and warmer.

After the snowplow - Old Sandwich Road - one of the oldest public roads in the United States.

The downtown wharf in Plymouth.

Boats waiting for spring.

Out and About, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Sunday last I went to Boston and attended a rally for Ukraine at the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common.



A lovely combo of the Ukrainian colors of blue and gold.



There were hundreds, perhaps thousands, in attendance to show their support for Ukraine.



Curious to see how the Russian oil issue will resolve. I'm guessing we will be paying $5/gallon or more very soon for automobile gas.



I made a pass through Chinatown for some lunch at a vegan cafe......



......and through the theatre district where I enjoyed seeing lighted marquees heralding the return of live theatre performances. All tolled, it was a 14,000+ step wander through various parts of town.



For this outing, instead of driving a car, I had taken the train from the adjoining town of Kingston to South Station, about an hour ride - $10 round trip weekend rate.



I had expected cloudy, low 50's F, and rainy on this trip. Turned out mid-60's F and sunshine. What a delight after another long winter in New England. I was tired after that much walking, so it was nice to sit on the train and let the conductor do the driving.