August 23-24                               Boston, Massachusetts

Fog obscured our view from Wentworth Marina to Boston Harbor.  Dave showed some apprehension as we neared our destination.  This is a busy shipping and recreational area and limited visibility is a problem.  We were fortunate as the fog significantly lifted when we came into the inner harbor.  I was disappointed Dave had not seen the incredible beauty of the harbor approach with the oldest lighthouse in the United States (and the only one still manned).

Waterboat Marina adjacent to Long Wharf is one of our favorite places.  Small and family-owned, it is immaculately maintained and efficiently operated.  We were docked near the entrance and had a great view of the harbor and the changing scene on the wharf next to us.  The marina is easily accessible to the historic areas and the North End with its wonderful Italian restaurants.

Dave had joined us here two years ago on the Fourth of July and had experienced with us the wonderful harbor scene as well as a heat wave with temperatures higher than those of Fort Worth.  On this visit,  the weather was clear and pleasant.  

Eager to have some “real Italian food,” we returned to Euno on Salem Street.  The veal chops were outstanding and Dave, a vegetarian, raved about his delicious pasta.   We enjoyed a lengthy stroll through the North End with its active night scene.  Streets and restaurants were busy with others, like us, happy to be in such an interesting place.

I awakened early, left the boat and Ubered to the Isabella Gardner Museum.  I was astonished by the changes made by the new Renzo Piano addition.  Besides a new entrance, there were educational facilities, expanded public spaces and a delightful café opening to a lovely terrace filled with plants.  A glass walkway led into the original villa or “castle” (designated as such by signs) which remains much the same (as decreed by Mrs. Gardner) but is significantly cleaner and brighter.  The central courtyard is eye-popping with lush greenery and blooming plants.

My audio guide led me through the galleries and helped to identify the major works and aspects of the building.  Few of the paintings are labeled and some prior homework on the collection was very helpful.  Mrs. Gardner collected some magnificent masterpieces but she also collected a lot of expensive “stuff,” also on view.  My favorites are the paintings by Botticelli and the beautiful work by Della Robbia. The walls in many of the galleries were restored with new fabric and the furniture was freshly upholstered.  Better lighting helped to appreciate the finer aspects of the collection.

I walked several blocks to the Fine Arts Museum of Boston and indulged myself in lengthy viewing of their magnificent collection of European paintings.  Afterwards, I did my “Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth” homework in the spacious contemporary art galleries.  The BFA , housed in buildings reflecting grandeur and modern innovation, continues to be a repository of some of the world’s greatest art and is always worthy of a visit.

Dave took his new camera and explored the North End taking black and white photographs of the places and the people he encountered.  Intrigued by the stark and dramatic aspects of photography, he enjoys taking pictures that, like those of Cindy Sherman, provoke questions or imply danger.  David remained on the boat to finish projects and complete SGA work.

Dinner was at Limoncello in the North End.  It was a lovely, popular restaurant with excellent food and service.  We agreed we had “hit two home runs “on our restaurant selections for Boston.