4th of July Boston

Decided that it was time to do something big for 4th of July, and it turned out that we were in luck. One of the hugest 4th of July celebrations just happens to be on the banks of the Charles River in Boston. It's this all day event with live music and food and (of course) an enormous firework display.

We camped out early in the morning at a great spot under a willow-like tree. Met up with an eclectic group of friends (Becky - new friend I worked with in Nepal who happens to work in New Haven, CT; Becky's cousin and several friends; and fellow intern Aram along with his wife Natalie.) What a great time of relaxation and getting to know one another. We ate a delicious picnic lunch, read books, listened to music, talked about religion and politics and everything in between, and had a great 4th of July. Soooo hot though, and sooooo many people.

Before the fireworks even began, we were dazzled with this sunset...

And the fireworks...wow...couldn't get a photo that could show how awesome it was. We were right on the bank of the river and they shot off the fireworks from barges in the middle of the river, so they were actually directly above our heads! My parents were watching on tv and said it was even incredible from their living room. Yep, that good. :)

Hiking Mt. Tom

In the end of June a group of my fellow Emergency Medicine interns decided to get together and have a group hike. Mt. Tom is the "mountain" behind our house in Easthampton, and it has a ton of different trails to explore. We decided to make our way to the top. Unfortunately, Nathan had to work, but I brought Jackson along for the day. He loved it and everyone loved him! As it happens, this day was probably one of the most humid we've had all summer. Between the humidity, sunscreen, and bug spray, I was a sticky mess.

Interesting ruins of an old stone hotel, tucked back into the hillside. Nice pose from Nishan in the doorway.

Of course we had to climb to the top of tower... (4 of the EM guys...Matt, John, Nishan, & Tony)

But poor Jackson was so nervous and whimpering very loudly to make sure we didn't forget him. Silly boy. Overall, a great day. Hope to do it again sometime.

Darla's June Visit

We are obviously behind on our posts, but I guess it's better late than never. Fun times this summer, starting with our move across the country. Just after we arrived on this coast, one of the moms (Darla this time), was awesome enough to help us get all settled in. Of course, we had to fit in some fun and relaxation as well...
We enjoyed taking Darla to the little coffee shop/used bookstore in South Hadley and then walked around the beautiful campus at Mount Holyoke College.

On a previous visit, we had discovered the most awesome little bakery in Northampton called The Hungry Ghost, so we also had to take Darla there as well. When we went to buy our loaf of bread for a picnic, we were joined in the one-room bakery by a French woman and her 3 little French-speaking children. She told us that they walk to the bakery for fresh bread every day. So fun.

When we asked Darla what she wanted to make sure to do on this visit, she said Walden Pond! And we said...Sounds great! So we headed east to the peaceful, isolated pond and quickly discovered that it is actually an incredibly popular, crowded swimming hole. They have a replica of Thoreau's cabin and a little statue of him that everyone takes a silly picture with.
Further towards the pond (I would call it a lake), there is a memorial where the cabin actually stood, and a quote of Thoreau's that is surrounded by stones that people have brought from all over the world.
Interestingly, we learned that Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Alcott family (as in Louisa May) lived just down the road from Thoreau and they all knew eachother. Also down the road is Lexington & Concord and the end of Paul Revere's ride. Lots to see.