Exploring Boston

Before attending my cousin's, Katie, wedding we had the chance to visit Boston for probably the only time before we move there. With Galen's schedule this coming year, he only gets one week of vacation in between leaving his job here in Tucson and starting his new one at Tufts, and since we will most likely be driving to Boston with the dogs, there probably won't be time to fly there before hand. 

We basically spent our time there walking the streets of the various neighborhoods, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, Downtown, North End, and everything in between. Before heading over there, we had done some research and anticipated favoring Back Bay or Beacon Hill, but really, all of Boston proper was nice! I'd really be happy living anywhere within 20 minutes of Galen's work, which is right downtown and next to Chinatown. 

What will probably end up happening next June is that I will have to fly out by myself to find and sign a lease for an apartment, and then Galen and I will make the drive cross-country with the dogs when I get back. This will be our first move, but luckily we have plenty of time to plan.

Taken in the South End

In Boston Commons

I'd totally live here...if we were millionaires.

Ground level of Quincy Market

The 2nd level of Quincy Market

"Chowda"...not "chowDER"

My first lobstah roll with a side of chowdah, which I had to share with G.

Outside of the market

Faneuil Hall

Galen's future hospital

Old South Meeting House amongst all the skyscrapers

Our good friends, Stephanie, Russell, and Baby Mina

Trading off with the Baby Bjorn carrier

The Benjamin Franklin family plot

Boston Commons

LA continued... Santa Monica and the Getty Villa

One of our favorite places to walk around when we visit LA is Santa Monica. I think when people try to imagine California, Santa Monica is probably the closest thing to what they see. There's the 3rd Street Promenade, the pier, and the long stretch of sandy beach of course. Galen and I spent all day there, mostly to avoid the afternoon rush hour. Even leaving at 8:00PM, we still hit traffic going to meet one of our best friends, AJ, for dinner. 

At dinner, AJ suggested that we check out the Getty Villa, which was originally built as a home for J. Paul Getty, but he died before its completion. Now it houses a bunch of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts from his private collection, as well as gorgeous gardens. We did a culinary garden tour that described all of the edible plants on the property, their mythological backgrounds, and if they had any medicinal qualities.

We went back to the condo afterwards thinking that we would spend some time at the beach since it had been so nice and sunny in the beginning of the day, but by the time we got back, the clouds had overtaken the sun. So, we pulled out a sleeping bag that we found in the closet, all of the towels, and two pillows and decided to take a nap on the beach. We both fell asleep with no problem, but then woke up about 30 minutes later freezing cold!

Oh! Also, Galen and I think we've found our favorite restaurant...ever. Umami Burger. If you're ever in California or live there but have never been, you must go to one! I'm admittedly not a burger fan, but I will eat their burgers any day of the week. Each location has their own signature burger, along with the regular menu, and the special at the Santa Monica location is a braised oxtail burger. The classic Umami Burger is also excellent: oven roasted tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and a parmesan crisp atop the juiciest, tastiest burger EVER. I'm drooling right now thinking about it. They also have a special homemade ketchup, so you must order fries, but mostly just as a vessel to eat the ketchup. We ate there twice, no guilt.

We happened across a farmers' market in Santa Monica that day too!

A Japanese food court where we ate

First view of the Getty Villa. This would be an awesome amphitheater to get married in!

And now, a few selfies

Galen napping on the beach

Umami Burger! 

Fishing at Roosevelt Lake

And... we're back! 

It's been a fun and fast couple of weeks, although it feels like much longer. I have a lot of catching up to do with posting photos and such, so I'll start from where I last left off and conclude with the most recent event, my cousin Katie's wedding this past Sunday in New York, as a continue to sort through photos.

Continuing with my last post, Fishing Trip Preparation, we made it to the lake, which is 2.5 hours north of Tucson, but not without a little bit of drama. Our friends, Nick and Russell drove up in Nick's new Jeep, and Galen and I took his car, a Honda Element, which we were planning on sleeping in overnight, since the seats fold completely flat into two twin size beds, before driving back in the morning.

We got off to a late start and by the time we made it to the lake, it was completely dark out. Accidentally, we drove onto a dirt path (not really made for cars) and decided to turn around because Galen's car was barely clearing all of the large rocks, but not before a drunk shirtless guy approached our cars asking for a tow because his truck got stuck in some sand. Galen's car isn't 4-wheel drive, so Nick kindly gave it a try but without any success. Nick's gesture though, didn't go without consequence. Minutes after trying to help the other truck, Nick's car broke down. After waiting on the side of the pitch-black road for a tow truck and then trying to navigate without a map to the water, we made it to the lake shore at about midnight. 

Since we inherited 2 more passengers and all the gear in our car, there wasn't anywhere for us all to sleep, so we fished through the night, and Galen stepped up and drove home in the morning even thought we were all exhausted.

We ended up catching 2 fish that night, a catfish and a bass. We took home the catfish, and Russell took the bass, which he cooked the next night. It was delicious!

If we go again, we'll definitely map out where to go before heading up there!

Only ones out on the lake

Galen caught these little crayfish to use as bait

Our warhorse that made it through the trip

The next day before Galen filleted the little fishy