The Valiquettes: Boston

I can summarize the trip with these words - it was awesome! We started out bright and early on Thursday, Oct. 4 with a 6:00 a.m. flight to Boston with a layover in Newark. We got to Boston about 1:00 p.m. local time and got the shuttle to our hotel (Embassy Suites) to check in. At that point, we were all tired and hungry. We walked around the area and came across a small Italian restaurant that just so happened to be featured on the Food Network's "Dives, Diners, and Drive-Ins" a few months ago. It was delicious! Our friends Katie and Sandy arrived shortly after we got back to the hotel. We then braved the subway and had dinner at a cool place called Union Oyster House. Their lobster ravioli and scallops were super delicious. We all crashed pretty early since we had to catch a train the next morning. Our train to Portland left at 9:00 a.m., and we arrived around 12:00. We had a quick lunch then walked around a couple of shops before our spa appointment at 1:30. The spa (Soakology Foot Sanctuary and Teahouse) was UNBELIEVABLE. All five of us got warm and relaxing foot soaks while sitting on these big comfy couches, drinking tea, and getting neck and feet massages. It was perfect! We then spent the next couple of hours walking around and exploring more shops. Finally we had dinner at this beautiful restaurant that was once a ferry boat. The lobster mac & cheese was so delicious! Then, it was time to catch our train back to Boston. We got back to the hotel at about 11:00 and crashed. The next morning we enjoyed yet another great breakfast at the hotel and headed to the Boston Common to take part in a guided historical tour of the city. Four hours later (about 2 hours longer than expected) we were finally done with the tour and enjoyed some lunch in Little Italy. The tour was really interesting, and it was a great way to see the city, but I think we were all happy when it was done. It highlighted places like Boston Common, Beacon Hill, Paul Revere's house, Old North Church, Fanheuil Hall, and many more. After lunch we quickly checked out The USS Constitution (the country's oldest battleship) and went back to the hotel for some appetizers and drinks. Later, Angela, Katie, and I went back out for a drink and some late dinner. I had the best clam chowder and a really good lobster roll. At this point, we were all really tired and ready to call it a night. The next morning we ventured over to the aquarium to go on a whale watching tour. I think this was one of the favorite parts of the trip for everyone. We saw four whales (Fulcrum, Salt, Valley, and Nile) and, much to our relief, no one got seasick. We got lunch at Quincy Market when we got back and then walked around the Boston Common area a little more before we called it a day. We soaked in the hotel hot tub, played some cards, and then went to bed early. Everyone was pretty exhausted. My mom, my sister, and I headed home bright and early the next morning (Mon, Oct 8) and got back about 2:00 in the afternoon. I had some very happy and excited girls on my hands when they got up from their nap. We were able to enjoy a couple of quiet and lazy days at home before we packed up to spend the weekend in Duluth.