August 29-September 1                    Boston, Massachusetts

 

No trip to Boston would be complete without a visit to its exceptional museums.  Jill and I planned to go on Saturday to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.  Jerry graciously agreed to be our chauffeur.  We would see the Gardner first as Jill had not been there.  At the door, we learned no additional visitors would be allowed that day, however, when I mentioned my docent status at the Kimbell Art Museum, we were quickly ushered in without charge.  We were ecstatic!!

The museum is housed in an Italianate home built to exhibit Mrs. Gardner’s enormous collection of artifacts on three floors with an atrium in the center.  Mrs. Gardner’s will specified everything must remain as is at the time of her death. Almost one hundred years later, significant maintenance and other needs were reasons for legal re-interpretation of the will.  Improved lighting, extensive cleaning, replacement of frayed and faded wall coverings and a grand addition by Renzo Piano providing a lovely café, bookshop, library and additional space for exhibitions were carefully built adjacent and adjoining the original building without altering the design.

 Jill and I slowly perused the galleries and were fascinated by the woman who had defied Boston society, competed with Rockefeller and Morgan in art acquisitions and exuberantly enjoyed being a woman of great intelligence and wealth. Mrs. Gardner’s museum has withstood the criticism and changes and is a Boston treasure.  

Serendipitously, we learned a small exhibition was open of Titian masterpieces from the Prado, the National Gallery and other museums which had joined the Gardner’s own The Rape of Europa, the first Titian to come to the United States.  We decided to forego the MFA visit and see instead the Titian exhibition. It was a wise choice and we were enthralled to be encircled by a display of some of the greatest paintings in the world.

David had remained on the boat and prepared dinner from the copious supply of food on board.  Jerry and Jill joined us and we enjoyed grilled salmon steaks on the aft deck with a view of Boston Harbor. 

Weather reports for Monday were not favorable so we changed plans for leaving on Sunday.  Instead, we had the opportunity to walk across the site of the former “Dig,” now an expanse of plants and small shops, to the Quincy Market area.  Numerous shops and restaurants in an historical setting was the attraction.  We bought cannolis and enjoyed the ambiance.

The wind was 5 kts on Tuesday and we left early from Boston Waterboat Marina.  Our trip to the Cape Cod Canal was smooth all the way.  We docked at Point Independence Yacht Club in Onset before 3:00 PM and were ready to see the town and have a late lunch.  Eddie, the dockmaster, graciously took us in his truck into the town, gave us a brief tour of the many Victorian homes and lovely beaches before leaving us at a recommended restaurant. 

After a delicious lunch, we opted to return to the boat by walking.  It was arduous at times but we enjoyed seeing the quaint neighborhoods.  The following morning, we left for Wickford with 8-10 kt winds.  Shortly after docking at our usual slip, the wind began to increase and by nine o’clock, we were subjected to torrential rain and wind that threatened to destroy our Bimini top.  After two hours, the storm subsided.  The next morning, we learned Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey had experienced Hurricane Ida, the same storm which had brought great damage to Louisiana.  New York and New Jersey had severe flooding and loss of many lives.  We were fortunate and remained safe without damage.