Friday, June 11, 2010

Wandering the Boston Public Garden (and it's free)

This past weekend, my beloved and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. We had the pleasure of spending Saturday in Boston with my niece Ava and her husband Jeremy.  The four of us have limited funds, as both my beloved and Jeremy are unemployed at the moment. We have found that there are many pleasures in life that are free. The Boston Public Garden is one such pleasure. Located in the heart of Boston, lies this 24 acre, rectangular shaped park. It once was a salt marsh and now is a beautiful park with paths, flower beds, fountains, statues and trees, and a girder bridge (once the world's shortest suspension bridge) right in the middle. There are weeping willows, horse chestnuts, dawn redwoods, European beeches, ginkgo trees, European and American elms, and one California redwood tree. One can purchase a ride on the paddle swan boat. These Swan boats have been drifting on the four acre lake since 1877. Usually, a college student, sitting at the back of the boat, does all the paddling work. Do you notice the two swans nesting near the small lake? They are mute and named "Romeo and Juliet". The person naming them didn't realize they are two females. This one glided across the water in search of food and would dip it's head down into the water. It was a wonderful experience having this swan so close. There are many bronze statues in the Park. This one is a favorite and is based on Robert McCloskey's book, Make Way For Ducklings. It is a charming, children's book about a Mother and Father duck in search of a good place to raise their ducklings. They end up selecting the Boston Public Garden as their nesting place.  We purchased a print of the ducklings from this gentleman artist. We will frame it and hang it in a special place in our home.

We have lived here, in Massachusetts, for 8 years and always enjoy our time in this Public Garden. It has been a National Historic Landmark since 1987. It is well worth the visit.

6 comments:

Jingle said...

These are wonderful shots! I love the garden! It's a happy place!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Rebecca, first of all let me wish you a Belated Happy Anniversary! I hope you have many, many more wonderful years together!

And those gardens are magnificent. Thank you for sharing your time there with us.

XO,

Sheila

Daryle and Katie... kindred spirits said...

Rebecca... Thank your for sharing the pictorial tour of the Boston Public Gardens! Your photos were, well.. "picture perfect!" It has been years since we've been there. Thank you too, for the encouraging thoughts that you left at our blog, over at Woodstown Whimsies! You MUST try the DecoArt one-step crackle medium! It is remarkable. Happy belated anniversary wishes! Daryle & Katie

Anonymous said...

Me here.
I love all of your photos of the Garden...especially the one of the tree by the lake...I can see a huge tree face! The swans are beautiful.
I miss you all,dear sister.
Love
Trese

debi said...

Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby!!

Looks like you all had a beautiful day together!

Charlene said...

First of all CONGRATULATIONS on your 19th Anniversary! Isn't it wonderful being with someone long enough to really KNOW them? Hubby & I will be married 39 (EEEEEKS) years in October. We married at 16 & 20. No one thought we would stay together. Now, it's wonderful because we are having so much fun doing things together (the advantage of having kids young... they leave while you are still young enough to do stuff). Now, those photos in this post were amazing. I can't decide which one is my favorite. The nesting swans or the one swimming. OK swimming wins #1. And aren't the nests of the swan huge? I saw one in Germany once & was shocked how large it was. Thanks for sharing & good luck for the next 19. Charlene