Come with me to an Autumnal place; into the north country where a cold wind blows and beckons the journey into the season of colourful leaves dancing in the wind. Such glorious trees filled with heavy coloured leaves drop their loads in the rain and wind. Blankets of leaves carpet the landscape, preparing the trees for its first overnight frost yet to come.
I just got to spend time in Boston, and was so thankful to be there to greet my season of delight. A season so magical as the colours burst and change. Boston is such an escape to me, into the seasons. An inspiring city steeped in history and literary connections.
Welcome to this little adventure. It is a handful of days to feel like I live in Boston. To act like a local, collecting observations and delights of the city. I'm a traveler and appreciator, seeking to blend in as if I lived there. Staying in the College Club of Boston B&B on the beautiful Commonwealth Avenue. I'm a resident for a short time, frequenting the same cafes for my daily meals (trying others along the way). I admire the trees, parks, architecture, and cafes. A sponge who soaks in the air, atmosphere, sights, tastes, and sounds. I appreciate it more because my time there was brief, and I must condense my love and enjoyment into a short time.
Autumn holds onto Boston, clinging to every street. Generating an art show on display all across the city, amongst the old trees and old buildings with ornate architecture. It all holds a northern charm or brick and memory. And I get to be present in a tiny space of its history.
I arrived in Boston to an overcast grey sky morning dropping light steady rain. It was rather warmer than I expected, but that's about to change overnight. The drive from the airport is short, and the coloured leaves that line the roads blur through the rain-dotted windows, and I can't help but smile. This is what I came for - the season of Autumn. My soul needs the seasons, the shift of atmosphere, the cold air, the scent of leaves, and views of nature in the middle of the city.
I'm dropped off at The College Club, and I leave my luggage there as my room isn't ready, and go venture out for some breakfast, to Tatte Bakery and Cafe, which is my go-to spot daily. I forget that it's Saturday and jam-packed crowded. Oh well, I grab a seat at the end of the long table, read my book, and listen into conversations. I ask the lady next to me what her tea is - the scent of it was lovely. Chamomile, she thought. I finished my breakfast, my latte, and made my way out.
I stopped in at Posman Books, browsed but didn't get anything. I attempted to try a GF/DF cookie from the popular Levain Bakery but the line was way out the door, so I kept walking. I attempted get a matcha latte from Blank Street, and they turned me away as it was overcrowded. You could say I was striking out, but it didn't matter. I was there for the Autumn season, and that wasn't going to restrict me from experiencing it - the public garden wasn't going to close on me. Eventually I ventured into the Boston Public Library, which was teeming with people, visitors ohhing and ahhing. It was very warm that afternoon, drizzly and wet. I couldn't find a seat in the Bates Hall Reading Room, so I sat in the Abbey Room, which is a richly decorated room with wood paneled walls and huge murals that circle the upper part of the room, depicting the tales of Sir Galahad. Malcolm Guite was just here in this spot a couple weeks ago, sharing in his YouTube video the meaning of the scenes as his new Arthurian book was just published. How fun to be here just a short time after.
It was 58 degrees and the Autumn scenery was stunning. Trees bursting and leaves carpeting, albeit wet carpet then. It's so beautiful I could hardly be mad about the crowds at all the spots, or not finding a seat in the library and it being so busy. I'll come back in a few days. I had no set schedule or agenda. I was here for the season, and I would get plenty of that outside, and in the public garden.
The thing about travel is it is a bit unpredictable. You may have plans but there's an element of going with the flow, not able to control a crowd or weather, which may dictate some plans. But in each moment, I had the scenes of Autumn in front of me, with no line. It was all over the city - scattered, clustered, filling, lining, adorning all the streets, and especially the public garden, where I was heading next.
