Boston: The Ride Part 2

Boston Trip ’22

May 8, 2023

I arrived at the train station about 8:30 PM EST, with my bus departure slated for 9:15 and arrival time in Toledo scheduled for about 10:30 pm. We’d make one stop, for more passengers, in Downtown Detroit.

Missing were ‘the small-town girl living in a lonely world’ and ‘the city boy born and raised in South Detroit.’ I was the only passenger waiting and most assuredly wasn’t raised in South Detroit. Is that area even defined geographically? Yet I found myself singing ‘Journey’s’ classic song ‘Don’t stop Believing’ while waiting.

We departed on time and were in Toledo before you knew it.

After an hour or so wait, we were boarded and on our way.

Above, Lake Erie at night. A nice view, even amid the darkness of one of our Great Lakes.

We made a few brief stops, five minutes at the most, after leaving Cleveland, while aiming for Pittsburgh. We pulled into the steel city about 5 am and were back moving by 5:15. During the longer stops, we were allowed to depart the train and stretch our legs.

Two and a half hours after leaving Pittsburgh, we were pulling into Cumberland, Maryland. Within ten minutes we were moving again. This time to Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Many of the small towns appeared like this. I remember posting, that they looked like good towns where ‘horror movies’ could be made.

Because of the mountains of West Virginia; internet service was ‘poor’ at best. And getting a good lock on GPS was virtually impossible.

It had been a long morning before we pulled into Union Station in DC at 1 pm. later that day.

During the trip, I had been playing a game with my cousin, Lisa. She knew I was off on a journey by train. But was kept clueless, even by the rest of the family. Originally, she thought I was headed west to her sister and my cousin, Shannon and husband Bill’s place in California. But she had figured out I wasn’t going in that direction because of the sunrise and the suns afternoon positioning.

I’d send her clues when I could, and she finally figured out my plans after seeing this ‘Laderach Chocolatier Shop’ inside the station. Actually, she used Google Picture Search. Cheat, I cried!

Afterwards, she posted, “Tomorrow night Detroit vs Boston you will be there” and “Jeremy (her husband) says to catch a ball for him.” Funny how that’s always someone’s first words when they hear you’re going to a game. In all the baseball games I’ve attended, I’ve gotten just ONE ball and that was at old Tiger Stadium off the bat of Chuck Knoblauch of the Minnesota Twins.

It was over. She knew I was headed to Boston for the Tigers – Red Sox series June 20-22. Although, I only had game tickets for the 21st. I will have arrived too late in the evening for Monday’s game one and had thought about getting a ticket for the finale on the 22nd. Eventually opting not to.

A few hours after departing Union Station we were pulling into New York City.

At the time, Macbeth was playing at the Longacre Theater, staring Ruth Negga. I sure would’ve liked to have seen her performance as Lady Macbeth. She is one talented actor and deserves much more praise than she currently receives!

This being my first time in NYC, I had zero inclinations of seeing any sights by myself. I would’ve added a couple extra days had someone gone along.

We departed New York’s Penn Station, about 6 pm and headed north to Boston with ten, one- or two-minute, stops in between before reaching Back Bay Station, my destination.

It was probably 10:45 pm when I was deboarded and at street level. Upon exiting the station, I noticed a single cab. But no driver. I chatted with a local who was waiting on the driver to return from inside the station, and after learning of my travels had said, “you can ride with me.”

Then and there, I knew this was going to be a good trip. Five minutes later I said my goodbyes and thank you to my new, not formally introduced, friend from Massachusetts for the free ride to my hotel.

I was finally at the ‘Back Bay Hilton.’ My home for the next few days. One of the clues I given to Lisa, on the way, was “I wonder if Paris will be there?” I was referring to Paris Hilton, yet her take was ‘I didn’t know if you had a passport.’ I was not in Frace for sure!

Off to bed ends this part of the story. It had been a long ride, but definitely something I’d do again! I later would for a Detroit Red Wings ‘Original Six’ matchup with the Boston Bruins later in October, at TD Gardens.

Part 2A: Exploring and Shopping

It was a night game, and I had all day after I had awoken. In the meantime, I decided to go explore the city.

Fountain at Christian Science Center, Back Bay

What a sight to see, mere yards from my hotel. A giant fountain with kids getting wet in the summer’s morning sun greeted me as I began my day.

I figured I’d head over to The Prudential Center, a couple blocks away, for coffee and see what shops may be there.

The Prudential Center is filled with upscale shops. Including a Shinola Watch store, which is based out of Detroit.

I headed straight to the Dunkin’ Donuts for the mornings treat.

While strolling the huge center, I came across a ‘Love Pop’ card booth. After looking over the cards, I chose one for Casey Dacanay. It was perfect. Those that know me well, know the things I do are for a reason. They’re scripted. As are the gifts I chose. Individually picked.

It may have been seen as a mere pop-up card by its recipient, but its selection was intentional. A symbolism of sorts. A ‘thank you’ without using the words. With inspiration from Casey’s friendship, this cocoon had traveled from Michigan to Massachusetts alone. Not knowing a soul in a strange new city. He had now shed that protective incasement. The butterfly was set free, to fly to her California home as a symbol of gratitude for the hidden encouragement he had received from her. This was the only gift sent out of Boston by me. It had a special personal meaning, as did the others. But this meaning had to be kept intact as one of its own. The others were sent upon my return home.

UPDATE: 5/23/23

Sometimes posts are coincidences. Other times posts are aimed. Think today’s discovery was the later. I believe there have been too many coincidences throughout the past few months to postulate otherwise. There have been other ‘Queens Gambit’ moves we’ve each countered to. I can live with this, as it helps the healing. Thus, I’ll include (what I’ve dubbed) Caiman Love – YouTube into this edit, along with this notation for Casey: ‘It’s good to see, that you see. ‘Thank you’ for being a part of my journey; although I’ve never viewed you as a ‘Caiman.’

After window shopping a bit longer, I headed back to The Hilton for lunch and a much-needed break.

It was probably 2 pm when I left the hotel once again. Game time was scheduled for 7:10. I still had plenty of exploring and shopping time before first pitch. Like I mentioned earlier in the blog, Fenway is walking distance from The Hilton.

Even with as little as can be seen, was awestruck at my initial sighting of Fenway Park. Last 50 yards or so, before sighting, was guided by a local student. Didn’t catch her name, an Asian woman into the Arts.

I headed to the Team Store for Noah’s gift. He’s Shannon and Bill’s son. An Angel with Downs Syndrome. I started gifting my little buddy back when Calvin Johnson was still playing for the Detroit Lions. I grab him a gift from every event I attend. And here I was, attending another.

Noah, grinning and happy as can be, in California at the time, wearing his Boston Red Sox apparel.

On my way back to the hotel, I came across ‘The Fenway Victory Garden.’ It is exactly what the sign proclaims. A garden in the city, a rare, yet pleasant sight.