Here we are in Massachusetts

mrblanche

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Left 105 degree Dallas and got to 60 degree Boston.

We even bravely figured out how to take mass transit from the airport to Ayer, near where Dottie's mother lives. Kind of interesting. I believe in mass transit. I wish it was easier to use everywhere, more like it is in Europe, but most of our cities are not properly organized for it.

Anybody up here want to get together with us for dinner somewhere? Any members on the Maine coast? I want to go up there for some seafood.

And just to commemorate our MBTA ride...

Poor Charlie, the Man Who Never Returned
 

sk_pacer

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The seat of a John Deere tractor
No, he never returned and his fate is still unknown.
He may ride forever beneath the streets of Boston
He's the man that never returned..

and that is all I can quote from memory of that song

Mass transit here is when a couple of us go to the city together....I live out in the boonies.
 

darkmavis

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Well enjoy the respite from the extreme TX heat! My BF just flew to Amarillo today (flies back tomorrow) and he said it was only in the 60s there... was in the 90s in LB today.

I, too, love public transportation. So does my BF, who is from England and so he's more used to it than I am even. We actively seek it out wherever we go as well. In fact, when we were looking to buy a house, one of the requirements was it had to be near bus stops. So I commend you and Dottie on taking the cheap/eco/scenic/(if somewhat longer) way from the airport!


Have a great trip, and a very happy birthday to Dottie's mom and aunt! (if I remembered that right from an earlier post.. Not even 30 yet and my memory is crap. Sorry!
)
 

lilyluvscats

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I'm in Mass.....Western Mass. This weather is unusual. It's supposed to be normal by tomorrow and back to 90 by Monday. LOL. Lower Maine is gorgeous and so is the Portsmouth NH area. Lots of beautiful scenery and shopping outlets and of course seafood. YUM Have fun.
 

nanner

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omg - that clip brought back memories!! I loved the Kingston Trio! One of the first songs I learned to harmonize to!

Have a great trip - sounds fantastic. I, too, seek out public transportation. Either that or I walk. When I was in L.A. for a bit a couple of years ago, I walked everywhere and took the bus and the Metro. My L.A. friends thought I was crazy, but I got around!


Maine has always been a dream of mine. I've never been there and have wanted to go for ages. Keep us posted!
 
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mrblanche

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We actually have a bus stop just a couple of blocks from our house. However, since our town doesn't charge the 1% mass transit sales tax, we don't have stop in our town. We live just 1/2 block out of Dallas, so there are stops there. It's not convenient, however, because it's a feeder to a train stop. But if you worked downtown, it might work out well.

Dottie's sister lives in Manchester, NH. We used to go deep-sea fishing with her dad off the NH coast. And I've always enjoyed just going up the coast. We only have today and Sunday available for it, though.
 

cmedeiros17

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Welcome to MA!!!! Weather has been nasty past few days....but should be better tomorrow. New Hampshire is beautiful.......and theres lots to do/see in Boston. Cape cod is a great place to visit as well.
 
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mrblanche

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Well, it's mainly just a family visit. We've done most of the touristy things up here, over the years. And Dottie graduated from North Middlesex High School.
 

butzie

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Originally Posted by SwampWitch

Ah, I remember riding "The T" when we lived in Cambridge... I miss the museums in Boston... make sure to eat at Legal Seafood!
Same for me. The glass museum at Harvard is awesome! Besides Legal Seafood, there is Anthony's Pier 4 and No Name Seafood. Be sure to have the shore dinner. lol
 
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mrblanche

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Originally Posted by butzie

Same for me. The glass museum at Harvard is awesome! Besides Legal Seafood, there is Anthony's Pier 4 and No Name Seafood. Be sure to have the shore dinner. lol
We have had great luck with picking out some little restaurant that the locals like but the tourists don't go to.
 

cheshirecat

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The last time I rode the T the Blue Line didn't go to Ayer. The last stop was Bowdoin where it did the loop and went back to Revere.

If you took the T all the way you must be feeling like Charley!

If I was feeling adventurous. The route on the T would be Blue line to State, the Orange line to Downtown Crossing then Red line to South Station. Then get a bus to Ayer.

Or you could get off at Aquarium and walk or cab it to South Station. Either way it is an adventure.

Thank you for bringing the cooler weather!
 
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mrblanche

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Yeah, Dottie's family is unhappy at the weather she supposedly "brought up." But, since it was 105 in Dallas, it didn't come with us!

From Logan, you take the Silver line to South Station, then the Red line to Porter, and then the commuter rail out to Ayer. You have to check the schedule, though. Most of the commuter lines stop at South Acton, so you have to be sure you get on one going the rest of the way out. It goes on to Fitchburg, too.

We're in Pepperell, the home of Colonel Prescott. Look it up.
 

cheshirecat

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Originally Posted by mrblanche

Yeah, Dottie's family is unhappy at the weather she supposedly "brought up." But, since it was 105 in Dallas, it didn't come with us!

From Logan, you take the Silver line to South Station, then the Red line to Porter, and then the commuter rail out to Ayer. You have to check the schedule, though. Most of the commuter lines stop at South Acton, so you have to be sure you get on one going the rest of the way out. It goes on to Fitchburg, too.

We're in Pepperell, the home of Colonel Prescott. Look it up.
Ohhh...
the Silver line is relatively new. And it's a bus. When I think of the T from the airport I think of Blue line.

It's been ages since I did the commute to Boston (I've been away 21 years) Back in the day when I took the commuter rail it was from South Station to Attleboro. I didn't know they had a connection in Cambridge.

That's what I get for being a smarty pants.

I looked up Colonel Prescott. "Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes" I've heard it a million times and being from MA I should have known who said it. They also have a statue in Charlestown.
 
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mrblanche

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Once upon a time, Dottie's folks considered buying a house and one that they considered was Colonel Prescott's house.

So, does someone have a seafood restaurant recommendation on the NH coast or the lower Maine coast? It has to serve fish, too. Preferably flounder; don't won't eat seafood.
 

cheshirecat

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Originally Posted by mrblanche

Once upon a time, Dottie's folks considered buying a house and one that they considered was Colonel Prescott's house.

So, does someone have a seafood restaurant recommendation on the NH coast or the lower Maine coast? It has to serve fish, too. Preferably flounder; don't won't eat seafood.
This had me confused because in this part of the country fish is seafood.

Where did you end up eating?

I know...it's been awhile but I'm slow some days.
 

gingersmom

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Originally Posted by mrblanche

Once upon a time, Dottie's folks considered buying a house and one that they considered was Colonel Prescott's house.

So, does someone have a seafood restaurant recommendation on the NH coast or the lower Maine coast? It has to serve fish, too. Preferably flounder; don't won't eat seafood.
Honestly, you'll find some of the best and freshest seafood in Gloucester, MA. I don't eat the stuff, myself, but Gloucester is a fishing town (you've heard of Gorton's?) And the home town of those that were written about and lost in "The Perfect Storm."

I moved out of MA two years ago this week, and never heard of the Silver Line on the T!

Have fun in New England, whatever you do!
 
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mrblanche

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We drove to the MA coast the slow way (all back roads), then up 1A along the coast, through New Hampshire and into Maine. The roads and beaches were packed; it was one of the nicest weekends of the summer, from what we hear. We came to a beach in Maine and essentially stopped at the first restaurant that looked good. It was right across the street from the beach, and we could hear the waves crashing on the rocks and see the spray flying up.

The food was pretty good, if a little pricey.
 

farleyv

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I told my DH a few weeks ago during the hot spell, that before I die, I want to go to Maine and eat seafood along the coast with the waves exploding on the rocks and seagulls calling.....

You lived my dream!!
 
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mrblanche

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I have some pictures. I hope to get them up before too long.
 
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