TALL SHIPS AND BATTLESHIPS

Here are some shots from the the weekend. The sun was shining, but it was HOT.

THE TALL SHIPS ARE COMING

No, this picture isn't of Boston Harbor in the 1800's. It's just an Instagram shot that I took yesterday while eating lunch on Long Wharf. Just some tall ships in the harbor...not your everyday sight. The ships are just starting to arrive for Boston's Harborfest weekend, which is celebrating the USS Constitution and the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

For a listing of all of the ships that will be in town, and the best places to check them out, click here!

BOSTON'S BEST VIEWS

There is a cool collection of pictures on Boston.com today, which showcases people's shots of the best views of Boston. I love this city!

Take a look at more of the pictures here!

SMALL SPACES: KITCHEN

We will officially be moving in September into an adorable, 1 bedroom apartment in the middle of Boston. I am so excited for it, but as I've posted before, it will take some adjusting. It is small. I looked up some ideas for making a small bedroom space work and shared them here. Now, I am thinking about the kitchen. Actually, it should be called a kitchenette. Here are some similar  spaces (although some are much larger!) that are making due with limited space. If they can do it, so can I!

HAPPY 100th FENWAY

Today is Fenway Park's official 100th birthday. The park held an open house all day yesterday, and the public was able to roam around all of the sections, sit in the dugouts, and walk around the field. We stopped by and went up to the Green Monster. Now, if only I could sit up there during a game...

OPENING DAY!

Excited to be at Fenway today, on it's 100th opening day!

NANTUCKET LIGHTSHIP

A sucker for anything nautical, I love lighthouses and boats. Combine the two? Awesome. When out on Long Wharf in Boston, you can sometimes spot the red ship across the harbor with bold, white letters spelling NANTUCKET on the side. I have always been curious about the ship, and was happy to learn about its history and that it is being preserved and utilized today. The ship has been refurbished and is now available for charters, rentals, and private events...how fun would it be to host an event on this ship? And as an added bonus, the proceeds are a way to sustain the life of the lightship for years to come. Here is a brief history, as listed on the official website, www.nantucketlightship.com.

The Nantucket Lightship wlv-612 was built in 1950 and was stationed three miles off of the Golden Gate Bridge as the San Francisco from 1950-1969. As Lightships were replaced with 40 foot unmanned buoys, the 612 next served off Cape Mendocino in California as the blunts reef from 1969-71 and in 1971 she went back through the Panama Canal to serve as the portland in Maine from 1971-75. Finally from 1975-1983, she served as the nantucket on the last Lightship station in the United States 45 miles southeast of Nantucket Island. In 1985, the Nantucket Lightship was decommissioned by the United States Coast Guard as the last Lightship in the United States. In 2000, Bill and Kristen Golden bought the ship on Ebay to preserve her, spent three years refurbishing the Ship and now offer the luxury yacht for charters, vacation rentals and events.


The mission of the Lightship was, a life saving mission, to stand resolute regardless of the peril and
guide all to safe haven. The first US Lightship was placed on station in 1820. In 1854, after hundreds
of shipwrecks, the United States Congress established the Nantucket South Shoals Lightship Station
to protect trans-Atlantic and coastal shipping from the dangers of the treacherous shoals. The wlv-


612 is one of a proud line of Nantucket Lightships which were known as the Guardian Angels of the
North Atlantic From 1854 to 1983, it was the Nantucket Lightship and not the Statue of Liberty which first greeted mariners and immigrants to America. Lightships serving this station were in international waters and were exposed to the dangers of fog bound collisions, enemy attacks and natural disaster from hurricanes and severe winter storms.


The Nantucket Lightship wlv-612 is one of a dozen lightships which remain. The others have all been
sunk or scrapped as artificial reefs. It is the objective of Bill and Kristen Golden to showcase the
Nantucket Lightship wlv-612 as a new model for historic marine preservation so that other ships may be saved for future generations.

FENWAY

Fenway Park, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places yesterday. Read about it here!

LOOKS FAMILIAR...

When I have a few spare minutes, I like to use Google Map's street view to virtually explore places I've never been. Thought I'd take a look at a few spots on the way from Dublin to Waterford (we'll be making the drive next Monday!) and just happened to click on this very spot:

River Suir Bridge, Waterford City - Ireland

Looks familiar:

Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge, Boston

VINTAGE BOSTON

Looks familiar...

MY FAVORITE PLACE

Long Wharf, Boston.

This historic wharf on Boston Harbor is my favorite place in the world (or what I’ve seen of the world so far). Although I can't pinpoint the reason why, I always find myself drawn to this spot on the water's edge. I insist upon bringing my out of town visitors, using it as my lunch break retreat, or just take a few minutes to sit when I have the time. The amazing city views, the sailboats, the mix of old and new, the airport runway in the distance, the passing of ships and ferries, the water, the breeze...there is a lot to take in, and no two experiences are ever the same. Built in 1711, Long Wharf celebrated its 300^th birthday last year.

Here is a brief history, as provided by the Norman B. Leventhal Walk to the Sea:

Like an arrow pointing back to the Old World, Long Wharf, built in 1711, dominated Boston Harbor. It reached well past approximately 80 other wharves bristling out from the Shawmut Peninsula. About a third of a mile long, it extended the town's main commercial street, King Street (now State Street), far into the harbor. In addition to its prominent commercial role, Long Wharf witnessed the arrival of royal governors, chained pirates, British troops, and other historic spectacles.

It may be a bit chilly down there at this time of year, but come warmer weather, it is worth the trip.

View of the Financial District from Long Wharf

Looking toward Fort Point Channel with the sun peeking through the clouds