Copley square is a refreshing rush to the senses with something going on all around you. I wasn't sure where to start as I could the the library and the prudential building in the distance and yet there was so much to see where I was standing. Figured I mine as well keep going with the church theme and went to check out the one in the center of the square. There really cool to look as they follow a mix of a gothic style and that of a mini castle. I saw alot of people going in which I'm sure I could have done but for me its just about the outside and marveling at the building. Church or not its a beautiful building.

           Spent some time wandering around the church and the grounds getting a feel of the place. There seemed to be an amazing photo op everywhere I looked. A guy balancing a razor scooter on his head, the reflection of the church in a skyscrapers glass windows, or simply a kid skating off some of fountains that dotted the area. I actually stayed to watch the kid skate a bit. Great spot to sit for a bit and enjoy the view. There was a great view of the backround that passed through these two pillars that are modeled after bunker hill but look more like mini egyptian obelisks.  After sitting for a bit the next thing that seemed logical was the boston public library across the street but my stomache was growling and forced me to head to the prudential instead since there was a food court and I was going to the skywalk anyway.

            Used my phones gps to get myself some walking directions to prudential faster than me stumbling my way there. When I got to the building I was on the wrong side so stared around it. Chose the wrong way which made for a long walk but stumbled upon some interesting sites along the way. One of which I wanted to visit anyway but had just forgotten about. So I made a not to visit it after prudential. The other was a dole smoothie stand with live music giving away samples. There was a small group of people dancing on the sidewalk laughing at there awkward moves. Very amusing. But I was hungry so in I went after after lookng around a bit. I sat down after ordering up some panda express and dug in.

             The ticket booth for the Skywalk wasn't far and after eating just went straight there. I was really excited about this one and that anticipation only continued to build as the elevator started its climb to the 50th floor. Stepping off theres a lady punching tickets with windows in the backround. I tossed my drink and headed in. YES! I approached the first window in a trance realizing it was as good if not better than I thought. Got a bit dizzy the first time I looked over but gathered myself and began my 360 degree walk around the windows.

              It was crazy to see all the sights I had seen recently down below and even those I hadn't. Fenway, the gas tank, the capital building, all the churhes etc. All where now in the same view and just on one side of the building. Stayed a bit on the side overlooking the charles river and watched the boats from a distance. This really was incredible. I did quite a few laps around just not wanting to leave. I was up there a while watching everything happen. Poked into some of the small office type rooms with small exhibits some odd some great. The one with passports from all different countries was great but just behind that was a tv playing a rap video about getting US citizenship lol. Really odd. I eventually got someone to snap a few photos of me but with flash wasnt on so they came out dark with the bright backround. Turned out though that I got some great shots of myself using one of the mirror type windows in the corner. Came out awesome with all the windows behing me making a long fleeing effect. I eventually had to head back down but I really didnt want to. I could have stayed up there for hours. As the elevator decended though all I could say was man that was a great time.

          Leaving prudential I made way back around to the other side to probably my favorite church building of the area. The science park area is a approached by a huge pound and well kept garden area with the building in the distance. Someone was using the water to drive there remote control speed boat which was pretty neat. I really love the church grounds. There so well kept and relaxing which is evident by the number of people just sunbathing on the grounds. The building is just a wonderful mix of so many styles. A dome roof, pillared entrance, and the entire outside just has so many sides and edges its hard to follow what leads to what. I actually wanted to go into this one but I really just have no desire to enter a church. I really found myself wondering about the name though. Aren't science and religion opposites? Who cares, its great to look out. Bravo to whoever designed it.

Made my way back to copley to visit my final stop, the boston public library. The outside is nice though simple enough. I got some really great artistic shots though of the statues with the city and flag in the backround. Entering it is far less simple on the inside. Beautiful murals on all the walls, carved lions dawn the stairs silouetted by the sunlight breaking through the windows. It was a gorgeous scene. Once up the stairs I had someone take my picture then proceeded to poke around the the rooms. To the right was a room with the tops of the walls painted to tell a story. Others for reading and still more filled to the brim with books. This was the first place I'd seen that still used sliding staircases to reach books that were on on shelves that reached the ceiling. The art in the place really reminded me of the MFA. I didn't spend long here as I needed to head back but I found myself drawn once again to those lovely lion statues bathing in the sun. God they really photographed well. As I left I couldn't help but think about the next time I was coming into town. Really been having a great series of days coming here.

           One of the last things I saw on my way back was this great building. Its beautiful and its no easy feat for buildings of this size to catch your eye. They usually all follow the same mold but this was great. The sides came around to form a semi circle really drawing your eyes to the center. Wonderful day for architecture indeed. Very good day.

         Over the next two weeks I'm going to make trips to the harbor islands as well as go to castle out on the opening day of tours memorial day weekend. Be really cook to walk inside the fort. I've done it once before when I was little but too young to remember it in detail. Plus I need pictures! :-)

        After acorn st I made way block after block further north into beackon hill soaking up until I accidently wandered onto Charles St and the nearby meeting house of the same name. There were people all around enjoying the day drinking coffee and it was a very pleasant picture. After peeking around a bit I kept north and made my way into a few more blocks of beautiful red brick apts that make up beakon hill. You cant help but marvel at how nice they look together. It blends so well. Alone its just a brick buidling but together 100's of them in the small neighborhood it becomes stunning.

         Feeling like this area was done I almost turned around when I noticed a river at the end of a nearby road. I had no idea at first it was the Charles river and it certainly wasn't in my original plan for the day but what the hell I never could turn down a nice view of the water. Before I could get there though there was the highway to get across. A pedestrian bridge solved the issue when I eventually found it and made my  way  to the water. Before even getting down the stairs the cool breeze stopped be in my tracks.

         Walking the river I cannot stress enough how amazing the breeze was! Just perfect. Light and crisp not too cold... Ok I digress but it was awesome. Moving along follow the riverbank there were some great views of downtown and of people enjoying days out on the boat. For maybe 20 minutes I walked along the edge before heading towards the other end making my way through the festival like atmosphere just away from the water. About half way I passed a older gentleman taking a picture of his granddaughter skating. She yelled take a video! He says I have no idea how. Then in the most annoyed voice you can imagine this 5ish year old yells " OMG its soo easy I'll show you! its just a phone god. " It was great.

         Further along the water there was a nice span of grass with many people doing arobics and various activities. I poked around and found some great views over the water and a weird head that looks like abert einstein but its not. I also asked someone to shoot a photo of me on a tiny bridge going over a small pond. First shot of me in long while. I feel like I should have hung out at the river for longer than I did

             I was moving a bit faster than I feel I should have been. Sure theres alot to see but I think there was more to it. It doesn't really feel the same seeing things locallys. Perhaps its that I know I can come back anytime but theres just something different versus seeing something in another country even though some views here a remarkably stunning.

             Its at this point before heading to start the freedom trail that I realize I was getting really thirsty. The heat was picking up and it was starting to show on me. I figured I'd pass something along the way, a food stand, a corner store anything... but found nothing. So as I made my way back and found myself at the entrance to the public gardens and the common I had to make a choice. Start hear and get a drink after or walk all the way around to govt center and get a drink in the most roundabout way possible. It was an easy choice, I was getting a coke lol. Went into a dunkies grabbed a soda and planted myself on a bench looking at the opposite side of the common. I sat there for a while and used the time to back up the pics I'd taken so far to the tablet.

          After resting up I made my way through the common rather quickly as aside for the frog pound and the large statue on the hill theres not much there. Its a nice place for a jog but not much of interest for me. The public gardens just across the street though are another story. Well kept beautiful garden with great statues of washington and of course the the views of the swan boat drifting along the pong. Lovely views. There was a large party shooting wedding photos along the water and I really cant think of a better place for them it looked beautiful.

        Now it was time to start the freedom trail. I made my way to the tourist center and started to the the red brick road lol. The first stop is the state house which although closed on saturdays still made for a nice start. Its gold dome gives it a nice look in pictures. Really wished I could have gone inside though.

          After the state house a thunder started, not from outside but in my stomache. I had eaten nothing yet and it was past noon. So I deviated from the trail after one stop and made my way towards quincy market for some food. The lines however where crazy so I opted for the mcdonalds across the street which turned out to be a closed hollow shell. Not a good start. Now I was over by the oyster house and the all familar Thai Consulate above. It was cool to finally get a picture of the thai flag that hangs over the oyster house, the only real sign theres even a consulate there. As I'm about to go back to renew my search for food the camera batteries die. Dammit. So now its over to CVS for new ones before backtracking again and settling for a steak and cheese at the first outside shop with no line at all. When your hungry food is sooo good. I however was not feeling great at all. My bald head was taking a beating and I knew what was coming. I had no hat on and it got alot hotter than I'd imagined. There was a eery feeling in my had that an all too familiar sickness caused by the sun was coming.

          After the miracle cure of a Steak & Cheese sub I was feeling alot better and headed up the steps to city hall and lingered around for a bit. I'd been here 100 times but honestly never really looked more than a second at the ugly ass building that is boston city hall. So I stared at it a bit and took it all in. Still ugly.

          Headed down to nearby Fanuiel hall and quincy market to walk around a bit. Having been here before I didnt really have the urge to watch on the break dancing shows or various other performers and I'd done it many times before. I just wanted to walk around and take it in a bit as part of the trail that I'd screwed up the order to already. Its definately fun the first time your here to catch at least one. The pogo stcik guy thats here in the summer is amazing!

           I thought a bit about my next move and backtracking didnt really seem appealing so I decided I would pick up the rest later. I continued on towards the harbour and would head towards the north end after.

           Heading towards the water theres an awesome archway covered in vines and other greenery. Its extremely pleasant place to sit down rest which is exactly what I did. Took the time to enjoy the moment by the water making up for what I felt I should have done by the river earlier.

         After a half hour or so I headed towards the north end and make my way to Mikes Pastry. There was no line amazingly which makes getting something so much more appealing. Heading down the roads leading the way towards bunker hill that weave through the north end was great. My favorite has to all the delis and the men speaking Italian outside. There were so many but one really stood out with an older man just sitting in his chair soaking up the day. He just looked the part. Besides that there really isn't much to see per se but theres is alot to take in and soak up. The atmosphere here is what its all about.

         Moving on the trail heads to a bridge with an early glipse at the monument and parralel to the "bunker hill" bridge. I didnt really realize that the USS Constitution was before the monument but since I was passing it there was no reason not to stop. I think I would have enjoyed it alot more but after just briefly checking it out I had to seek shade and relax. The sun was kicking my ass and but I was going to stop now. THe bunker hill monument was what I was looking forward to most of all. So after the very healthy stay on a bench I was ready to continue on.

             Approaching the bunker hill monument I was really shocked to see it located in the center of a neighborhood. The pictures make it look likes its atop a hill or mountain but its smack in the middle of a block of appts. People get the pleasure of looking out the window to this great sight everyday.

              I made my way up the stairs and walked around the entire outside taking some great pictures before heading to the base.Somehow I was completely unaware you could go inside! and for free at that! My blood was pumping again and I quickly made way in skipping the free guided tour. More room for me at the top lol. The first thing I noticed upon going in was it was so refreshingly cool. a good 15 degrees cooler inside than out. But then the stairs come.... all 294 of them. It looks like you climbing to the dungeon of a castle as you see nothing but grey stone as you wind up this giant circulat stair case to the top.

          I was already tired so the stairs were rough. I found myself going back and forth mentally from thoughts of self motivation to cursing like a sailor. Sweating like crazy I'd go 50 steps saying OK you can this. then another 50 saying fuck its hot no views worth this... Alright I got this. I give up I'm tired. lol If it wasnt for the lack of energy I may have found it very funny. I pushed on though and soon reached the top. While climbing though it reminded me of how people end up having different expierences with places.I was reading a blog recently where a guy had want to Preah Vihear in cambodia and hated it. He hated the ride there, the weather, even though the site was dull. For me it was one of the greatest moments of my life. The difference? He hit bad weather, a shitty drive, and by the time he got there he was already far too negative to enjoy it even a little. My trip went like clockwork. Perfect weather, ride with freinds, sunrise etc. Point is I though of this near the top and made a mental note to pull it together and not let being tired effect loving it at the top.

           It was cramped up there but it was a great view of the city. Theres an air vent that goes straight up the middle and standing on it felt so good. Ahh the air! I was in no rush to go anywhere. I spent time at all 4 windows even posing for a picture in front of one. I enjoyed it up there for a bit proud of myself on how I handled feeling like crap. I was awesome up there, I felt great. I had a good time, I guess I can head down... Oh shit the stairs again. lol. 

            There was no way I was walking back Govt Cntr after all that. I took the lazy way and walked a few minutes the the community college orange line station and waited for my ride back. There were still a few stops like kings chapel and others the are scattered around on the trail that I skipped earlier. Honestly unless your a history buff there really nothing speacial. The Park St. church was nice but a far more impressice sight is the hotel in the backround. I heard guy saying theres actually a room behind the clock tower for a few grand a night! Pretty cool. I found myself in downtown crossing soon after the church and grabbed some hotdogs from a vendor plotting my next move. The Prudential Skywalk sounds so awesome but the energy wasn't there and I need a nice highlight for next weeks days off. There was one last place worry of a stop though for a delicious drink and a relaxing atmosphere... Chinatown. 

        I searched around for the shop I'd gotten a mango bubble tea before and stepped inside to order the same. No bubble? Blasphemy! Alright I have it with lychee jelly instead. It never felt so good to sit and get off my feet. Had every intention of  sitting there bored but comfortable for about an hour enjoying my drink. Then out of the blue a yound chinese kid asks to sit down and sparks a convo making the hour a really interesting time. Chatted about travels and what lifes like in china hell I even got to say nice to meet you in chinese! I cant beleive I remembered how. Exchanged facebook inof of coarse before leaving, nowadays not doing so is just uncivilized lol.

          What a day, what a day. Next week Heading to the prudential center, boston public library and copley square. More to come!

( Below is a post on a previous visit to the MFA which I most surely would have included here if I hadn't been so many times before. A true highlight of boston. )