"He did it"!
We had a great 10 day trip but first things first ~
Graduation was wonderful!
College Boy1 was also awarded the Robert T. Haslam Cup in the department of Chemical Engineering for showing 'the most professional promise'. This is a huge honor to be selected by his professors for this recognition and fellows and he didn't even tell us about it until we inquired about the cup that was sitting on his bookshelf!!
(He is very humble so I tend to over compensate but that's what being a mother is for.)
;)
This is the department chair, Dr. Jansen, with the original cup from the 50's which apparently one cannot touch.
Our son received a smaller brass replica and his name will be added to a plaque that is displayed at MIT for all to see. :)
He was in class during the official department award ceremonies but was fortunate to get a picture at a later time. I had to google this one myself!
That darn kid!
The Side of New England ~We arrived in Boston a week before commencement, rented a car and had planned to pick up College Boy1 for a side trip of New England away from the area. Before heading over to his dorm the morning after we arrived, (we were really waiting for him to wake up), we went over to our favorite sandwich shop on Charles St. in Beacon Hill and were drawn to this carpet of lavender in the distance looking over at the Commons.
I couldn't imagine what flowers made such a display.
On closer inspection it was a poignant display of American flags each one representing a fallen soldier of Massachusetts. It was one of the most thoughtful displays I have ever seen. There was a hush around the hill as everyone who came across it was taken back by its scope and meaning.
We soon rallied our son from the coolest college dorm ever built...
... and headed up the North Shore to Salem and
toured The House of Seven Gables.
We learned Nathaniel Hawthorne never saw the house with seven gables, only three. The original seven gables were taken down by a sea captain owner before Nathaniel's lifetime then added back on by restoration much later. It never had a penny shop as depicted in the story nor was it part of the under ground railroad as we were told on our first tour 27 years ago. :(
Oh well, still a beautiful location and wonderfully historical. :)
We continued north to Newburyport for the evening and ate at Mike's on the Merrimack river with a stop at Friendly's for a cone. The next day we hugged the coast of Maine...
... stopping for a lobster roll in Kennebunkport at this cute place ~
We then drove the breathtaking White Mountains of New Hampshire to Hanover to visit Dartmouth (I love college towns and have been here before).
Being a Greek, I am always interested in seeing how 'the row' is at other colleges.
Thanks to Sarah Ida Shaw, I can always call Tri-Delta my home. :)
The Sig Eps had the best view. When a few of the guys saw I was taking their picture, they said, 'Hey someone's taking our picture". Brilliant. I responded, "I'm sending them to your mother"!
It just came out. I should have added "so, put the red plastic cups down".
School was still in session but it was hard to tell since it was so peaceful and quiet. We saw a lot of students dressed up. I asked someone what was going on and apparently this was the night many formal parties were taking place for clubs, frats/sororities and team sports. We came across one on a back road. It could not have been in a lovelier setting.
Next we drove into Rutland, VT to spend the night and had dinner at a surprisingly great place with the best roasted pork tenderloin marinated in maple syrup with a spicy raspberry sauce. I wish I had gotten my own instead of mooching off my men's. The recipe is forthcoming and I will be sure to share with you! :)
The next morning we crossed into New York just like Ethan Allan and his Green Mountain Boys up to Fort Ticonderoga ...
... and Lake Placid (having the best sandwich at a Main St. deli), thoroughly enjoying the drive through the Adirondacks to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake ...
... then headed over to our former summer home where we rendezvoused with my brother and sister-in-love to explore familiar haunts and visit with friends. They would join us again in Cambridge for the graduation .
This is where we stayed during our visit.
I have always loved this country club on the lake's edge.
*sigh*
The night before a warm thunder storm rolled in and caught the 5 of us huddled under the eves of a roadside ice cream stand in the glow of yellow neon lights. It doesn't get better than this, my friends. Our ice cream cones were smoking and we were smiling so much it was difficult to eat. I will remember this simple pleasure for a very long time.
With our memories lovingly revisited but with a slight disappointment in not being able to find the old country cemetery to visit my grandmother and great-aunt and uncle it was time to make our way back towards Boston. We had lunch in Saratoga Springs and detoured through the Green Mountains of VT. Manchester Village was one of our honeymoon stops so we had to visit again.
Two reasons I could pack up and move here in a minute ~
Porches ~
and more porches. :)
I am happy to see it is as charming as it was so long ago.
We stayed one night in Williamstown, MA where I do believe Williams College is the most quaint and sleepy little college town if there ever was one.
It gives Dartmouth a run for its money.
We followed the Mohawk Trail into Concord and visited 'the bridge' and listened to a re-enactor recount the events (all a gross misunderstanding from both sides who had never faced a line of fire before) and made our way through the rush hour traffic of Concord ending up in Cambridge again with 2 days to spare before graduation.
The night before graduation began with a wonderful dinner in the North End on Hanover St. at Bricco. We were sitting with the window panels open to soak in the Little Italy atmosphere when a very loud thunder storm blew through.
It was wonderful!
After dinner we had a few minutes to wait for the valet and walked the street going into Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry for a non-caloric look-see.
The rest of the evening was spent with the Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart where it was exclusively "MIT Night at The Pops".
The Boston Symphony Hall is old (1900), ornate and incredibly amazing. We were seated in the first balcony near the stage. They were the best seats I've ever had at a concert. Adding to the atmosphere of the evening were a sea of red jackets noting 50 years or more of MIT alumni status.
Homage was paid to the alumni of The Class of 1960 as they returned for their reunion. My husband leaned over to me to tell our son that when he has his red jacket and returns for his reunion to think of this night and remember us. This thought made me so emotional I couldn't get the words out so he had to lean over me to tell him. I wonder what our son thought.
Leave it to the Pops to weave a spell of talent that takes your breath away and whimsy with a sing-a-long of Beatles Rock Band on the screen. The encore tune was Stars and Stripes Forever where balloons in the school's colors were dropped on the audience of red jackets and the popping of them mimicked fireworks going off.
'Magical' is the only word that can describe it.
The graduation ceremony was beautifully organized and executed and very long in the hot and humid sun but we made it too! Every graduating student, both undergrad and advanced degrees (over 2000) received their printed diplomas during the ceremony! I don't know how they did it but they did. We were surrounded by foreign languages. Italian, behind us, an Indian dialect in front of us, Chinese to our right. There was an incredible international atmosphere.
I was fascinated with some of the robes the dignitaries wore ~
A pink gown!?!
It's obvious her PhD is in 'Good Taste'.
Flying in from Hogwarts, no doubt.
Basic black. Always a classic.
After graduation and a departmental reception ...
... where we were able to meet son1's professors as he said his good-bye's to friends. We walked around school a bit then got ready for our dinner at Grill 23 in downtown Boston. I love a dining experience that has the best of both worlds going for it - impeccable service and good food.
Grill 23 ~ Wood floors and brass railings, the wait staff in white jackets who knew which side to serve and which side to take away from, a water glass that never saw the bottom but you don't recall being served, a basket of various breads of texture and form, regional cocktails (my first Dark and Stormy), the energy of an open kitchen, lively conversations in the air but none you can follow and crumbs from the table quickly whisked away before dessert.
The experience ~ perfection.
(Yes, you can tell where we ate was a big part of our vacation experience.)
I am particularly fond of this picture. I think my brother took it by mistake while he was lining up the real shot. It's me. I love it. Who says not every picture is a good one! :)
The next day, after graduation, we were to fly out in the evening ending our 10 day trip so we finalized the cleaning of the dorm room and finish packing. Since we had time to spare we went to see The King's Chapel ...
... and Granary Cemetery where Ben Franklin's parents, Paul Revere and other notables are buried.
The stones in the cemetery have been moved twice so they do not mark the exact spot of the burial sites but the stones are old and many are still readable and artistic.
We had lunch at Emmets Pub ...
... and then walked over to Charles St. in Beacon Hill and around the various streets. We always end our trips to Boston with a visit to Nino's on Charles for an Italian sub for the plane. It has become a tradition and of course we had to go one more time but this is the only time our son had been with us. Seemed fitting to end his tenure here with a trip to Beacon Hill with all the charm a city could muster and the best Italian sub ever!
We had a great 10 day trip but first things first ~
Graduation was wonderful!
College Boy1 was also awarded the Robert T. Haslam Cup in the department of Chemical Engineering for showing 'the most professional promise'. This is a huge honor to be selected by his professors for this recognition and fellows and he didn't even tell us about it until we inquired about the cup that was sitting on his bookshelf!!
(He is very humble so I tend to over compensate but that's what being a mother is for.)
;)
This is the department chair, Dr. Jansen, with the original cup from the 50's which apparently one cannot touch.
Our son received a smaller brass replica and his name will be added to a plaque that is displayed at MIT for all to see. :)
He was in class during the official department award ceremonies but was fortunate to get a picture at a later time. I had to google this one myself!
That darn kid!
The Side of New England ~We arrived in Boston a week before commencement, rented a car and had planned to pick up College Boy1 for a side trip of New England away from the area. Before heading over to his dorm the morning after we arrived, (we were really waiting for him to wake up), we went over to our favorite sandwich shop on Charles St. in Beacon Hill and were drawn to this carpet of lavender in the distance looking over at the Commons.
I couldn't imagine what flowers made such a display.
On closer inspection it was a poignant display of American flags each one representing a fallen soldier of Massachusetts. It was one of the most thoughtful displays I have ever seen. There was a hush around the hill as everyone who came across it was taken back by its scope and meaning.
We soon rallied our son from the coolest college dorm ever built...
... and headed up the North Shore to Salem and
toured The House of Seven Gables.
We learned Nathaniel Hawthorne never saw the house with seven gables, only three. The original seven gables were taken down by a sea captain owner before Nathaniel's lifetime then added back on by restoration much later. It never had a penny shop as depicted in the story nor was it part of the under ground railroad as we were told on our first tour 27 years ago. :(
Oh well, still a beautiful location and wonderfully historical. :)
We continued north to Newburyport for the evening and ate at Mike's on the Merrimack river with a stop at Friendly's for a cone. The next day we hugged the coast of Maine...
... stopping for a lobster roll in Kennebunkport at this cute place ~
We then drove the breathtaking White Mountains of New Hampshire to Hanover to visit Dartmouth (I love college towns and have been here before).
Being a Greek, I am always interested in seeing how 'the row' is at other colleges.
Thanks to Sarah Ida Shaw, I can always call Tri-Delta my home. :)
The Sig Eps had the best view. When a few of the guys saw I was taking their picture, they said, 'Hey someone's taking our picture". Brilliant. I responded, "I'm sending them to your mother"!
It just came out. I should have added "so, put the red plastic cups down".
School was still in session but it was hard to tell since it was so peaceful and quiet. We saw a lot of students dressed up. I asked someone what was going on and apparently this was the night many formal parties were taking place for clubs, frats/sororities and team sports. We came across one on a back road. It could not have been in a lovelier setting.
Next we drove into Rutland, VT to spend the night and had dinner at a surprisingly great place with the best roasted pork tenderloin marinated in maple syrup with a spicy raspberry sauce. I wish I had gotten my own instead of mooching off my men's. The recipe is forthcoming and I will be sure to share with you! :)
The next morning we crossed into New York just like Ethan Allan and his Green Mountain Boys up to Fort Ticonderoga ...
... and Lake Placid (having the best sandwich at a Main St. deli), thoroughly enjoying the drive through the Adirondacks to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake ...
... then headed over to our former summer home where we rendezvoused with my brother and sister-in-love to explore familiar haunts and visit with friends. They would join us again in Cambridge for the graduation .
This is where we stayed during our visit.
I have always loved this country club on the lake's edge.
*sigh*
The night before a warm thunder storm rolled in and caught the 5 of us huddled under the eves of a roadside ice cream stand in the glow of yellow neon lights. It doesn't get better than this, my friends. Our ice cream cones were smoking and we were smiling so much it was difficult to eat. I will remember this simple pleasure for a very long time.
With our memories lovingly revisited but with a slight disappointment in not being able to find the old country cemetery to visit my grandmother and great-aunt and uncle it was time to make our way back towards Boston. We had lunch in Saratoga Springs and detoured through the Green Mountains of VT. Manchester Village was one of our honeymoon stops so we had to visit again.
Two reasons I could pack up and move here in a minute ~
Porches ~
and more porches. :)
I am happy to see it is as charming as it was so long ago.
We stayed one night in Williamstown, MA where I do believe Williams College is the most quaint and sleepy little college town if there ever was one.
It gives Dartmouth a run for its money.
We followed the Mohawk Trail into Concord and visited 'the bridge' and listened to a re-enactor recount the events (all a gross misunderstanding from both sides who had never faced a line of fire before) and made our way through the rush hour traffic of Concord ending up in Cambridge again with 2 days to spare before graduation.
The night before graduation began with a wonderful dinner in the North End on Hanover St. at Bricco. We were sitting with the window panels open to soak in the Little Italy atmosphere when a very loud thunder storm blew through.
It was wonderful!
After dinner we had a few minutes to wait for the valet and walked the street going into Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry for a non-caloric look-see.
The rest of the evening was spent with the Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart where it was exclusively "MIT Night at The Pops".
The Boston Symphony Hall is old (1900), ornate and incredibly amazing. We were seated in the first balcony near the stage. They were the best seats I've ever had at a concert. Adding to the atmosphere of the evening were a sea of red jackets noting 50 years or more of MIT alumni status.
Homage was paid to the alumni of The Class of 1960 as they returned for their reunion. My husband leaned over to me to tell our son that when he has his red jacket and returns for his reunion to think of this night and remember us. This thought made me so emotional I couldn't get the words out so he had to lean over me to tell him. I wonder what our son thought.
Leave it to the Pops to weave a spell of talent that takes your breath away and whimsy with a sing-a-long of Beatles Rock Band on the screen. The encore tune was Stars and Stripes Forever where balloons in the school's colors were dropped on the audience of red jackets and the popping of them mimicked fireworks going off.
'Magical' is the only word that can describe it.
The graduation ceremony was beautifully organized and executed and very long in the hot and humid sun but we made it too! Every graduating student, both undergrad and advanced degrees (over 2000) received their printed diplomas during the ceremony! I don't know how they did it but they did. We were surrounded by foreign languages. Italian, behind us, an Indian dialect in front of us, Chinese to our right. There was an incredible international atmosphere.
I was fascinated with some of the robes the dignitaries wore ~
A pink gown!?!
It's obvious her PhD is in 'Good Taste'.
Flying in from Hogwarts, no doubt.
Basic black. Always a classic.
After graduation and a departmental reception ...
... where we were able to meet son1's professors as he said his good-bye's to friends. We walked around school a bit then got ready for our dinner at Grill 23 in downtown Boston. I love a dining experience that has the best of both worlds going for it - impeccable service and good food.
Grill 23 ~ Wood floors and brass railings, the wait staff in white jackets who knew which side to serve and which side to take away from, a water glass that never saw the bottom but you don't recall being served, a basket of various breads of texture and form, regional cocktails (my first Dark and Stormy), the energy of an open kitchen, lively conversations in the air but none you can follow and crumbs from the table quickly whisked away before dessert.
The experience ~ perfection.
(Yes, you can tell where we ate was a big part of our vacation experience.)
I am particularly fond of this picture. I think my brother took it by mistake while he was lining up the real shot. It's me. I love it. Who says not every picture is a good one! :)
The next day, after graduation, we were to fly out in the evening ending our 10 day trip so we finalized the cleaning of the dorm room and finish packing. Since we had time to spare we went to see The King's Chapel ...
... and Granary Cemetery where Ben Franklin's parents, Paul Revere and other notables are buried.
The stones in the cemetery have been moved twice so they do not mark the exact spot of the burial sites but the stones are old and many are still readable and artistic.
We had lunch at Emmets Pub ...
... and then walked over to Charles St. in Beacon Hill and around the various streets. We always end our trips to Boston with a visit to Nino's on Charles for an Italian sub for the plane. It has become a tradition and of course we had to go one more time but this is the only time our son had been with us. Seemed fitting to end his tenure here with a trip to Beacon Hill with all the charm a city could muster and the best Italian sub ever!
24 comments:
yeayy!!!! how fun this looked and im so proud of my little cousin! =) and the new england part!!! ugh, im jealous!!! =)
Sounds like you had a perfect trip! Thank you for sharing your experience. I love the pictures especially the houses with the amazing porches!
Oh and I look forward to trying your recipe for the roasted pork tenderloin. =)
Love the "Edith Ann" shot of your son and hubby in the big chair! LOL
What a wonderful experience and memorable trip to commemorate your son's achievements! I know you are very proud parents and rightfully so! Congrats to Son #1 and his exciting future ahead!
Oh, it sounds like you had a marvelous time!
And you must be so proud of son1, congratulations on his graduation!!!
I received your package a couple of days ago-thank you, thank you, thank you so very much!!
You are too sweet and so thoughtful!
I have something on its way to you too!
Hope you are having a great week!
WOW that was long lol!
Did you take the ferry from Vermont? I love the drive from Vermont and up through NY :O) Next time I am coming with you lol!
What a wonderful post. Son1 is such a smartypants and I imagine your heart is just bursting with pride and happiness. Congratulations to him on his award. And your photos are wonderful too. I have never been tempted to make a trip through New England until now. We just never know where motherhood will take us, do we?
Sounds like you made the most wonderful & meaningful memories! Congratulations to your handsome son - you must be so proud!
Best,
Colleen
Looks like it was an amazing trip! The pics are so great!
What a fabulous trip. Glad you were able to enjoy a relaxing vacation punctuated by such an awesome graduation for son#1. Congrats! I missed you. ;-)
Congrats on your son's graduation... you must be one proud momma! xx
Wow, this post made me so sentimental because the photos made me miss my childhood memory's of living and visiting New York. The part where you described your husband telling your son to think of you two at his 50 yr reunion, that made me cry. Aww now I cant stop.
What a wonderful week! And such beautiful photos too!
WOO HOO! Congratulations to your wonderful Collegeboy on his amazing graduation and special award! You must have been so thrilled to celebrate his wonderful accomplishments! Your New England trip looked absolutely lovely, you have a great eye for photos, and it sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed every bit of your visits, especially MIT at the Pops, that sounds amazing! Congrats again to you all!
PS Thanks again for hosting the awesome napkin swap! I had a great partner and my partner loved my gift as well. I'll be posting this week! :) xoxo
What a wonderful accomplishment and you have every right to be a proud mama ~ congrats!Too bad you didn't make your way to Mystic, CT while on your tour of New England :)
Jo
C.O.N.G.R.A.T.U.L.A.T.I.O.N.S. to your son!! Most importantly, congrats to you and your husband for raising such a phenomenal boy/man! I could only imagine how proud you must feel! Loved looking at all the places you visited. Although I LOVE New England, there is something about the winter months that keeps our family AWAY!!
PS. Trish mentioned my EXACT sentiments about the napkin swap...Thanks TRISH...and thanks again to YOU!
Well, after reading what your husband said I was a weepy mess. What a sweet man to think such a wonderful thing.
{The wedding is Saturday, so I cannot be held responsible for anything right now.} Thank you for this lovely recount of such a divine trip. Son is so smart! He's just amazing - as are mom and dad. xoxo
I am so happy for you and your family! And I am so happy you are back in blogland--I have missed you!
Congratulations on a job well done (CollegeSon1). And a lovely trip to remember his success by. Thank you for sharing this beautiful event!
Oh good heavens, where to start? First off, congratulations to all on the graduation, he is clearly one brainy guy and you all have done a remarkable job!
The grand tour pictures are spectacular, wow. I'll be some of these places in a few weeks, so it's a special treat to see the photos!
My favorite photo, by far, is the flags... it just made me gasp. Thank you for sharing all of the loveliness with us Miss PM&P, your skills with the camera are outstanding.
Smiles at you,
tp
You deserve an A++ for your recap of Boston and New England! I think you hit the best areas to capture the true beauty up here.
I hope your son enjoyed his time in Cambridge and Boston. Fab college cities. You must be so proud of him! Congrats! I love going to Symphony Hall. My husband and I really enjoy doing that together.
Thanks so much for the glimpse into New England life & your son's graduation. Didn't your son just graduate from high school yesterday? Perhaps it just seems that way to me. You have so much to be proud of!
Loved, loved the porches! It's sad that they don't build houses with porches too often these days. Life was better when we sat on the porch in the evenings, right?
What a charmed life you lead, my friend. Your boy is stupendous.
What a lovely trip! Congrats to your son on his graduation. My cousin gradated with his MS & PhD from MIT. ;)
Oh, how I adore New England. My sister is moving to Boston this month to do her fellowship at the Children's Hospital.
Um...and how did you walk into Mike's Pastry and NOT buy anything. Last time I was there we carried home two boxes of goodies. ;)
That's my sorority house : )
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