Thacher Island

July 6, 2014

Thacher Island

Blue skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see

Bluebirds
Singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds
All day long

…

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Wow was this day ever real.

I say that because when I look back on these pictures I have to ask myself, was this really real?

{It really really was.}

A few Fridays ago Zan and I decided to head up to the North Shore and enjoy the sunshine and blue skies. We left a little later in the afternoon, taking our time, since I’m on summer vacation (whoop!) and Zan took the day off work. This season is just so full of good. My sister had recently taken a kayak trip with her boyfriend Tom and some friends out to Thacher Island, so we thought we’d try the same. We brought up a canoe from Zan’s parents garage, filled some coolers with fruits and veggies, and paddled ourselves out to sea leaving from Pebble Beach in Rockport with Thacher Island as our destination. The ride was PERFECT! Calm waters so glorious I couldn’t keep my eyes off the gentle waves. It really was the ideal condition for canoeing in the ocean– it’s not very often that the ocean is so smooth and silky. It was amazing.

When you get to Thacher Island, you have to pull your boat {or kayak!} up onto the land and then sign in and leave a 5 dollar landing fee. After that you are free to picnic or walk the many trails of the island as you choose. There are also two working lighthouses on the island so there’s a chance you’ll see the lighthouse keepers while you’re there. We saw both {there is a lighthouse master keeper, and then an assistant} and both were very friendly and welcoming. You can even walk up to the top of one of the lighthouse, and so of course we did! How incredible it was to see the view from that high up! There is so much history in a place like this, I just love it.

Little day trips like this one are what summer is all about for me. I love seeing places that are new to me, and also love going back to places that I know and love. Today we’re headed up to Good Harbor Beach, I think! A place that we’ve been many a times and just can’t quit. Nothing better than a day trip to the North Shore for some beach time and ice cream on a hot summer day.

Forever, AMEN!

13 Comments · Filed Under: boston day trips, summer ·

fireworks on the third of july.

July 4, 2014

Boston Fireworks!

For a few days this week, by the chance of luck and a good friend, we are staying in what I’m calling “our very own pied-a-terre” in Beacon Hill. I’m trying not to overreact too much about it, but if I was going to be honest I’d basically tell you I’m living in a magical dream right now. We are steps away from Charles Street, the Public Garden, and really truly anything we want to do. Boston is so walkable and I love that about this place. I hope if you live here you enjoy it. I hope when you walk around you look up at the pretty that is everywhere. When I lived in the heart of the city for a few years after college I don’t know if I appreciated it as much as I should have. But now… dang! This place is special!

Last night we watched the fireworks from the roof of Rachael’s apartment. It’s the same place we had our picnic from this post and it is perfection on a summer night. Add another extravagant food display and a dose of fireworks and you’ve got yourself a real party.

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A staycation in the city and we are just loving every minute of it.

H A P P Y   F O U R T H   O F   J U L Y!

//

P.S. The fireworks were on the third this year because of heavy thunderstorms forecast for the fourth. The celebration was supposed to start at 10:30, but at 10:07 the sky lit up with the prettiest sparkles there ever were. 20 minutes later, the fireworks were finished, after a grand but seemingly short finale. The sky was so bright pink even though it was close to half past 10 in the evening. The most exciting part of the night was hearing a wave of screams suddenly from the Esplanade. We could hear it all the way from Beacon Hill! I looked over to see what the noise was about and you could SEE the crazy rain pouring down from afar— you could see the rain crystal clear in the distance and although we were dry at the time you could also see that it was quickly heading right towards us! Zan’s yelling “LIGHTNING! LIGHTNING!” and I’m all “Ahhhhh!” so we scooped up our picnic just as fast as our hands would work and headed inside just as the thunder, lightening, and POURING RAIN came down. We closed all the windows and laughed and laughed. I feel bad for all the crowds that were down by the water, but am VERY thankful for our quick cover and a good memory for the books!

4 Comments · Filed Under: boston, boston photography, life, summer ·

rooftop magic.

June 25, 2014

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A picnic on the roof last night enjoying the sunset overlooking the city.

I don’t know if a better evening exists.

It was the perfect temperature, warm, but breezy, filled with delicious food and drinks, and friends that always make me smile.

I had a really long day yesterday. Doing this and doing that, driving here and driving there. Traffic e v e r y w h e r e. The one upside to being busy is when the day is through and all the doing is done you really feel like something spectacular. And last night was SPECTACULAR. Natalie and I headed over to Rachael’s for a little summer soiree on the roof. We climbed through her office window and made our way up the slanted shingles until we arrived at the tip top– a wide open space with the most amazing views of the city. I brought a blanket and some pastries, Natalie brought some wine and cheese. Rachael supplied the crackers and the view. And Joe! Dear Joe kept us cozy with sweaters and candles and drinks– the tastiest I’ve had in awhile.

Last night was the perfect way to end a day. Real rooftop magic — the sweet summer kind. ♥

31 Comments · Filed Under: boston, boston photography, summer ·

sweet summer // a love letter.

June 23, 2014

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Sweet summer.

My favorite time of year, hands down, without a doubt. The breeze is good and the sun and the trees have this shadow play that makes walking through the city like something out of a fairy tale. Spots of sunshine everywhere you look– the most glorious Monday I’ve had in awhile. This summer, like every summer, I’m doing a little babysitting in the city. It’s something I look forward to each year because it gets me out and about, and puts a little spending money in my pocket. Today we walked to not one, but two parks with lunch at the Buttery, too! Not a bad start, I say. Let the fun begin.

Bike rides and farmer’s markets.

Ice cream making and hammock swinging.

Beach days and backyard nights.

Peppermint patties out of the fridge!

This summer is going to be a busy one and I have lots of plans to do all the things. I can’t wait to read all the books, and watch all the Party of Five my heart desires, and finish telling all there is to tell about our West Coast Adventure. I also can’t wait for when the days are hotter than hot just so I can bask in my bikini in the sweltering heat of my un-air conditioned apartment soaking in the glory of it all. I will enjoy every minute of every day of this sweet season of bliss.

LONG LIVE JUNE AND JULY, and August you’re meant to be mine.

9 Comments · Filed Under: summer ·
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