And Now For The True First Snow

And to think I was excited about a measley quarter inch of snow (see previous post)! I could hardly believe my eyes when the snow began to accumulate on the streets of Boston. Big snow flakes wafted through the sky as I sat at my desk at work, and before I knew it, the entire city was covered in a sparkling white blanket! People left early for work and cars were caught in gridlock for hours....luckily, however, I don't have a car. (: So I walked from work to the subway and got a chance to romp through the growing mounds of snow.





All the while, I could only think of my once-beloved dessert, the snow cone--It was as if a shaved ice machine got caught in the on position! And a beautiful quiet calm accompanied the snow, as the cars slowed and the sounds of the city were absorbed into the white. It was all so lovely. Well, until it melted.

First Snow!

Of my life really. First for Boston this winter... Stepped outside and heard a crunch below my feet!

Mighty Ducks and Mighty Winds

This past weekend, John David was in town, and to show him around Boston properly, as it was his first time in the city (and my first year), we took a duck tour! Essentially, one rides around in an old WWII vehicle/boat, while a witty guide spouts off copious mouth-fulls of info about Boston. Normally, the duck tours are not given during December, but in the name of good profit, they decided to experiment with the weekend tours during this frosty month. We, being the touristy suckers that we are, enlisted for the hour and a half ride and dared to bare the sinking temperatures and the chilly winds.

We drove around town for a bit, learning about the city's roots, but before long, we headed over to the Charles river and plunged straight in. John David and I, huddled in the back of the boat, tried to maintain our own body temperatures while the icy river flowed beneath our feet. While listening to the life stories of all fellow passengers, my toes became completely frozen , but before too long, we emerged onto the streets of Boston once again. We quacked a few times along the road back to the boat's origin, waved at a few passing cars, and thanked the guide for his entertaining performance. A successful duck tour, if there ever was one!

We also made it over to the Harvard Natural History Museum to see their amazing animal and glass flower collections, as well as the famous Haymarket farmer's market, where we purchased...get ready: a mango, a cantaloupe, three broccoli crowns, a bunch of asparagus, 6 tangerines, and 5 bulbs of garlic for a grand total of...$4.75. Yes, it is amazing, and now I can sleep better at night knowing that poor folks like myself can eat well with meager wages. Between all this excitement, we spent a lot of time trying to stay warm and withstand the forceful winds blowing throughout the city... Truly, my first encounter with a Northern wintery weekend. I am enjoying it while it is still fun...