We have made it to Harvard!

Another warm day in Boston but still not as humid as New York. As we mentioned we live a little way from downtown Boston so we get very familiar with the subway. By the time one leaves a town, you finally have it all figured out. We've been doing quite well and have yet to get lost. We "live" on the Orange Line.

Today we fulfilled one of Norm's sort of bucket list. He has always wanted to experience the Swan boats in Boston's Public Gardens. A beautiful park and truly a step back in time. These boats have been in operation since 1877. 

Someone sits in the swan and actually pedals to move the boat along, a nice slow pace. 

And here is Norm enjoying the ride. 

A view from the ride, once around the pond and under the bridge. A classic ride for just $3.50 for adults.

The park is really beautiful with lots of people just relaxing in the shade of the trees. 

 George watches over the entrance. (As in Washington) 

Next we headed up Beacon Hill, a short walk from the public gardens and Boston Common. This is the address you want if you live in Boston, very nice! We even saw where Louse May Alcott lived. Check her house entrance, well maybe it was for the hired help. More than one hobbit house here in Boston.

           

 A little history with a Canadian touch in Louisburg Square. It is named to commemorate the 1745 Battle of Louisburg during which an army of New England volunteers captured Cape Breton from the French. 

    

We had lunch in Beacon Hill at Figs. It was a delicious meal, Roasted Beet salad with pistachios and goat cheese. Norm had a chilled gazpacho soup and awesome rosemary garlic fries and Wunderkind cider. 

 

    

On to Harvard, a few stops up the red subway line, just the most prestigious institution in a city full of colleges and universities. Established in 1636, just 16 years after the first colonists arrived nearby, Harvard is the oldest place of higher learning in the U.S. It was named for the college's first benefactor, the minister John Harvard of Charlestown. Norm got to rub not his shoulders but his foot. Maybe it's good luck, as his the toes of his boots are rubbed shiny.

 It was great place to walk about, mixing with the other 20,000 degree candidates. And a wonderful old campus. 

Below, that's Mary on the steps between the columns holding up century-old Widener library (the columns that is, not Mary). Visitors are welcome to wander the campus but you need a Harvard ID to enter any of the buildings. At least we got into the off-campus Harvard Coop -- they pronounce it like a building for chickens, although it's a co-operative of students, staff and faculty that has a busy bookstore on three floors and a cafe. 

 Note the Henry Moore sculpture called Four Piece Reclining Figure, with Norman.

We even got to see Harvard's finest rowing on the Charles River. The famous Head of the Charles regatta will bring hundreds of rowers here later in September.

As we got ready to head for home we stopped for a drink at Grendel's Den (you English grads among the blog readership of course will know all about the monster in Beowulf) on JFK St. Original Sin Cider for me, Cambridge Amber for Norm and since we are seniors we shared a Grilled Lobster Roll.

Tomorrow is our last day in Boston. I wonder what is on the agenda??