La Primavera? Le esta aqui?

Happy Spring! It snowed about six inches on Tuesday, the last day of winter. Not to fret though; it is warming up in Maine. It'll be about 42 today! Better put my shorts on.

This is true: I am anxious for the end of cold temperatures and the thawing of the omnipresent frozen water piles known as snow. So anxious in fact, I am willing the weather to be warmer by wearing clothing that is probably not temperature appropriate.

Two Sundays ago, some friends and I went to Mackworth Island, a place I've visited before in the late summer when I first arrived in Maine. I remembered it as that kind of place, but alas, it is not that way in winter. I wore shorts because, as I've said, I'm trying to will winter to be over through protest of warm clothing.

We found a swing by the slope leading down to the beach area

Swingin'

view from the swing

at left in the distance is the Portland Headlight, a favorite place of mine.

shells and shells and shells along the shore

seaweed

OH, BARNACLES!

The following weekend, I went with my friends Laurie and Kari to Massachusetts to visit Laurie's familial relations that live about 15 minutes from Boston and to partake in St. Patrick's Day debauchery in the city. We had a wonderful visit and were treated with warm hospitality. It was very comforting to my heart to spend time around a family that cares for and loves one another. We were treated with dinners, froyo, comfy lodging, and delicious bagel breakfasts with chocolate Easter bunnies. Such kindness.

We arrived Friday evening to the world's best pizza from Pizza World and a gathering of family and friends at Laurie's grandparents house where we stayed. Saturday morning, we went into the city and went to Harpoon Brewery for a tour. We took the T in from a commuter station and walked the rest of the distance so we could see more of the city and also because we got off too soon.

I really like this thing.

When I have seen historical sites in Boston, it's only been in passing. One day I'll actually go do Bostonian/American-Revolutionary things. This is the site of the Boston Tea Party.

Old and New

 When we reached the actual brewery on the outskirts of town at perhaps 10:30am, there was already a line formed to purchase tickets for tours later in the afternoon. By the time we made it through the line, our tour was to be at 2:20pm. While we waited, we sat in their cool facilities, which were of course packed due to the substantial wait time, and had a few drinks and thee most delicious pretzels I've ever had.

The Line

The Line

Finally inside!

 Obviously famished following our waiting game, we feasted. At the brewery, they serve only pretzels of both sweet and savory kinds. They are made from discarded wheat from their brewing and boiled in their IPA. We ordered one smattered with cinnnnnnnamon sugar accompanied by sides of cream cheese icing and maple toffee dip and one salted that came with red pepper aioli and spinach dip. Crispy on the outside, squishy on the inside, perfect with beer.

So much cinnamon sugar!

Long tables filled with people filling themselves with nothing but carbs, GLORIOUS CARBS!

View of the line from the window above; I felt like a queen and they were all sorry people.

 It was finally our turn to go on the brewery tour! We heard reviews that this tour was better than the Sam Adams tour, but disagree (aside from the atmosphere and pretzels). It was still fun and informative though.

The tasting room

 After our day in the city, which was primarily dominated by the task of going to Harpoon, we went to Laurie's aunt and uncle's house for a home-cooked dinner and then they took us all out for frozen yogurt afterwards. I ate too much, but it was okay.

Sunday morning, we woke up and went into the city for the St. Patrick's Day parade. There were so many people, drunk and in green. The T was PACKED. 

like sardines in a can, but people instead of fish and public transportation instead of a vacuum sealed package.

 We were fortunate enough to find seats at the parade right along the curb. We sat here for a few hours.

Drunk lady from the crowd jumping in to march in the parade

much bagpipe music was played

battle re-enacters of all eras were present

this guy was texting and driving. stupid.

my favorite of the battle re-enacters.

What St. Patrick's Day parade would be complete without Star Wars?

"Happy St. Patrick's Day to you! And you!"

"... For St. Patrick...."

"Why are we here, Hoodini?"

"Don't you dare pee in the street, drunkard."

only little kids were allowed to get most of the free stuff, but I petitioned for beads for my friends and I (don't worry, it's not like how you get beads at Marti Gras)

a leapin' leprechaun!

Elvis, of course.

And what better way to leave the parade than after The Shriners came by?

It's a truck for leprechauns.

Post parade, we made our exit from South Boston, where it was far too crowded to get into any pub, and had Five Guys burgers, then found a pub in the city where we could walk in for a Guinness. One Guinness and out, for we had a drive back to Maine to look forward to (just 2 hours, but a drive nonetheless). Before leaving, we said good-bye to all the family.

I am hopeful spring will get here sooner rather than later, but until then, may the force be with you.

JB