Today was the last day of our vacation…Although I felt more than a twinge of sadness at that realization, I was bound to make the most of our day.
We started the morning with a harbor cruise, included with our hop on/hop off bus fare. The streets were already humid by 9 a.m., but it was nice on the water.
We started the morning with a harbor cruise, included with our hop on/hop off bus fare. The streets were already humid by 9 a.m., but it was nice on the water.
After our boat ride, we had to say good-bye to Donna. She’d driven her own car down to Boston, and was heading home. It was sad to say goodbye, especially for Mark, who could no longer tease Donna about how she pronounces “Connecticut.” ;-)
But it was on to our next adventure—the Sam Adams brewery tour! I was beside myself, like a giggly, excited little kid on Christmas. Besides the Rock N Roll hall of fame, this was what I’d looked forward to the most!
We took the subway, also known as the T. We navigated to the right line, and congratulated ourselves on finding the right train. We were so busy patting ourselves on the back, we almost missed the announcement that this was an express train, on its way to the end of the line. We quickly jumped off, and caught the next train, which did, indeed, stop at Sam Adams.
I could tell the brewery was a popular destination—there was a note taped inside the subway operator’s kiosk with directions to the brewery. They must get a lot of dopey tourists asking which way to the brewery!
We followed the sign to Porter St.—I love that! (Don’t think Sam Adams makes a porter ale, though.) The only thing better would be if it was on Lager St.
We got there just as the tour was starting—while Amber and I were outside taking silly pictures, Edra got us tickets. The tour guide led us to a presentation room, but I could barely make it past all the big silver brewing barrels. I hugged one big barrel, thanked another for its golden delicious offerings, and stopped at a third for more pictures. Then I finally joined the rest of the group for the presentation.
The tour guide was busy telling us about the ingredients in Sam Adams beer. The stars were the hops and barley, which were passed around in plastic cups for us to smell. Mark was very excited to taste the different kinds of dried hops and barley, and seeing as that was as close to a beer as he'd get, I let him.
The tour guide was busy telling us about the ingredients in Sam Adams beer. The stars were the hops and barley, which were passed around in plastic cups for us to smell. Mark was very excited to taste the different kinds of dried hops and barley, and seeing as that was as close to a beer as he'd get, I let him.
My favorite part of the tour, of course, was the tasting room! It was a bar, with four taps and pitchers of beer already drawn. I was giddy at the sight.
Mark was equally excited, because the guide offered up full bottles of root beer to all the non-drinkers, which Mark willingly accepted.
We tasted four different kinds of beer: the original Boston lager, a seasonal summer ale, some rare kind of cherry ale, and a fourth one I can’t remember (did I mention I was a little excited?). We had a good time, and were determined not to let those pitchers of beer go to waste. Mark eventually tired of us, and went off in search of the gift shop.
By the time we finished, it was just past lunchtime. Since we’d be on the plane for dinner, we decided we needed a good lunch to tide us over. Luckily, the brewery offered a shuttle over to Doyle’s pub, the first place to sell Sam Adam’s beer. As luck would have it, the shuttle pulled up just as we were leaving.
We hopped on. Our driver was friendly at first, but turned when some other tourists asked him where to eat in Chinatown. He didn’t have much interest in Chinatown, or tourists who did. He seemed pretty mad, so we said, “Let’s go to Doyle’s!” which cheered him up and let him re-focus.
We were already in a happy mood, but when the shuttle driver yelled, “Hang on!” and gunned, it, we lost it. We all went flying to the back of the shuttle, and just erupted into laughter. Which egged on the crazy driver—he started pumping the gas and brake pedals so that the shuttle hopped down the street like a bunny. We laughed again, until the traffic light turned green, and he pounded the gas pedal, and set the tires screeching. He turned the stereo up as high as it could go, and then, just when we thought we couldn’t handle any more, he flipped on some disco lights! We were dying!!!
By the time we finished, it was just past lunchtime. Since we’d be on the plane for dinner, we decided we needed a good lunch to tide us over. Luckily, the brewery offered a shuttle over to Doyle’s pub, the first place to sell Sam Adam’s beer. As luck would have it, the shuttle pulled up just as we were leaving.
We hopped on. Our driver was friendly at first, but turned when some other tourists asked him where to eat in Chinatown. He didn’t have much interest in Chinatown, or tourists who did. He seemed pretty mad, so we said, “Let’s go to Doyle’s!” which cheered him up and let him re-focus.
We were already in a happy mood, but when the shuttle driver yelled, “Hang on!” and gunned, it, we lost it. We all went flying to the back of the shuttle, and just erupted into laughter. Which egged on the crazy driver—he started pumping the gas and brake pedals so that the shuttle hopped down the street like a bunny. We laughed again, until the traffic light turned green, and he pounded the gas pedal, and set the tires screeching. He turned the stereo up as high as it could go, and then, just when we thought we couldn’t handle any more, he flipped on some disco lights! We were dying!!!
Doyle’s was great. It was filled with other happy brew tour patrons. There was even a Sam Adams cut-out, which the young hostess told us was her prom date (yes, she really took him to the prom!). We loved that story. Amber wanted to bring him to our table, but the hostess said there was a closer Sam in the phone booth by our table we could bring over for a visit.
Which is exactly what Edra and Amber did. I watched them make a beeline toward the phone booth where Sam was lurking, then watched them drag poor Sam to our table. I immediately started cracking up. Mark, on the other hand, tried diving under the table (poor guy doesn’t realize how funny his mom and aunties are!!). A loud, laughter-filled photo shoot ensued.
Which is exactly what Edra and Amber did. I watched them make a beeline toward the phone booth where Sam was lurking, then watched them drag poor Sam to our table. I immediately started cracking up. Mark, on the other hand, tried diving under the table (poor guy doesn’t realize how funny his mom and aunties are!!). A loud, laughter-filled photo shoot ensued.
Along with lunch, we ordered beers, not because we really needed any more, but because we got to keep the magic glasses it came in. (The glasses were specially designed for maximum enjoyment of the Boston Lager.) We enjoyed our lunch, our magic glasses, and our nice buzz, and before we knew it, it was time to go. We waited a few minutes outside until Mr. Crazy Shuttle Driver screeched around the corner and up to the curb, “Forever in Blue Jeans” blaring, and gave us another memorable ride back to the T.
We suddenly realized that it was almost 3:30, and we had a plane to catch. We’d packed all our luggage before, so we collected our bags, the car and directions to the airport. Amber dropped us off, and hugged us tightly. After almost three weeks away, it felt good to be going home, but it was also sad to see our vacation end.
And then it was time to board the plane. That was the best part of all…because even though it took us three weeks to get to Boston, it only took us 5 ½ hours to get home. And boy, was it good to see my own bed after all that time!
We suddenly realized that it was almost 3:30, and we had a plane to catch. We’d packed all our luggage before, so we collected our bags, the car and directions to the airport. Amber dropped us off, and hugged us tightly. After almost three weeks away, it felt good to be going home, but it was also sad to see our vacation end.
And then it was time to board the plane. That was the best part of all…because even though it took us three weeks to get to Boston, it only took us 5 ½ hours to get home. And boy, was it good to see my own bed after all that time!
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