It's Fenway time! The impetus for our trip was the Twins being in town to play the Red Sox. Fenway is a dream for any baseball fan who likes to travel with their team. We arrived pretty early, but the atmosphere was still electric! They had a large amount of shops and vendors on the streets outside the stadium. Jersey street was closed off and you actually went through security outside.
We got inside in time to catch the last bit of batting practice and were able to stand by the dugout for a bit.
I got a fun shot of Jimmy with Dozier in the background. Too bad he was traded 3 days later.
I'd never heard of the "Jimmy Fund," but there were several references to it around the park. It was started in 1948 to raise money for cancer patients. A radio broadcast from the bedside of a young cancer patient launched the project. He was called "Jimmy" to protect his privacy and a legacy was born. Millions have since been raised to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
The concessions were very reasonably priced. A Fenway frank was less than $5 and a souvenir pop with unlimited refills was $8.75. That's the same you'll pay at Target field without any refills.
We participated in a tribute to the troops during the 4th inning where we wrote down names of those who have served in the military.
A couple of folks in our section started the wave and eventually got it to go all the way around. They tried again a few innings later, but most of the fans weren't interested by then.
We were stuck in a concession line for a bit, but did catch the end of Sweet Caroline, an 8th inning tradition at Fenway. It started as as a tribute to an employee would had given birth to a baby girl named Caroline and was played every game starting in 2002. It is simultaneously beloved and loathed by Red Sox fans.
It only took us 45 minutes to get from the stadium back to our hotel, another perk of a smaller metro area.
Sunday was out last day of vacation. I got us early, ran to CVS for some snacks and grabbed Jimmy a sandwich at Better Bagels, just down the block from our hotel.
We dropped out bags with the concierge and took the bus and train to Boston Common. From there we walked to the original Cheers bar, formerly the Bull and Finch Pub. It served as the inspiration for the long running TV show.
We walked along the Charles River and found our way back to Kane's Donuts, where I got a breakfast sandwich and we split a couple more donuts.
Our activity for the afternoon was a tall ship cruise on Boston Harbor. The Liberty Star was our boat for the trip. She was built in the 1980's and has been around the world twice.
I took part in their signature drink, a Dark n' Stormy, which is dark rum and ginger beer.
I also got to help raise one of the sails with my buddy Sean from Canada!
It was steamy hot again with barely a breeze, so we had to use the motor to cruise around, but it was still a fun ride.
We needed to burn a few more hours before going to the airport, so we went to the Boston Public Gardens. We came across the iconic swan boats. It was only $4, so we went for a ride!
Both of us were ready to go home by the evening. I got to relax in a rocking chair while we waited to board the plane.
Thanks for a fun weekend Boston, see you next time!
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