More Boston, MA

On Tuesday we had another all-family YMCA workout, followed by lunch at home. Then Danielle, Kathleen and I went to the Museum of Science, built on the old Charles River Dam, which connects the West End of Boston with Cambridge. The museum was busy, with lots of school groups, but they cleared out in the late afternoon. The outside drop-off zone at the museum is also one of three boarding areas for Boston Duck Tours, a popular sightseeing attraction that takes tourists around the city and harbor in replicas of the amphibious DUKW vehicles used in World War II and Korea. We took one of these tours many years ago and had a blast! Map Link: Museum of Science

Bonus Question: Besides humans, what is the only species that domesticates other creatures? (Answer at end of post)

The world’s largest Van de Graaff generator.
Built in 1933, it was used to study the atom
and can produce more than one million volts.
It is used today for demonstrations of high
voltage electricity and man-made lightning.

Canal through the Old Charles River Dam

After the museum, we met Kathleen’s sister Scarlet for dinner at Chilacates, a Chipotle-type Mexican restaurant, then Danielle went to her evening class at BU, Scarlet went home to Somerville and we took the Green line and 57 bus back to Brighton.

Wednesday was a rest day, filled with relaxing, reading, knitting and concertina practicing. In the evening we watched Conclave, the 2024 movie thriller about the College of Cardinals’ selection of a new Pope; very timely given the passing of Pope Francis three days ago. The College of Cardinals was created in 1059 and the current form of the papal conclave began in the 13th century and is the oldest method of selecting a head of state in the world. Fun fact: The Pope’s official title is “Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Sovereign of the State of Vatican City.” The term “Pope” is a nickname dating back to the third century, derived from “papa,” Latin for father. 

On Thursday we decided to chill some more. The weather was beautiful, with a daytime high in the upper 60s, bright sun and light winds. Kathleen and I took a long walk in Brighton, through the campuses of Boston College and St. John’s Seminary, and around Chandler Pond and Gallagher Park. In the evening, our last in Boston for this visit, we met Scarlet again in Somerville for dinner at Sarma, a popular, tapas-style Mediterranean restaurant. 

Brighton Courthouse

Boston College baseball field

Saint John’s seminary, established in 1884

Gallagher Park and Chandler Pond

Kitty caddy for TV remotes 

Bonus Question Answer: Certain species of ants domesticate aphids. The ants protect the aphids from predators and move them to new feeding spots, while the aphids produce honeydew, a byproduct that ants use as a food source.