After such a tumultuous night of inclement weather, the morning, despite the wind, felt fresh and new. The sun was actually out, something that hasn’t happened as much as it typically does at this time of the year, so we bid adieu to the glorious Fairmont and headed into the city for some shopping. Clouds rolled in and out, but throughout the windy morning there were glimpses of blue sky ~ the promise of spring.

An early lunch at Parrish Cafe (Kira had the Hot and Dirty Pig Burger and I opted for the Flour BLT, forgoing my usual Zuni Roll ~ damn that thing is good) followed by some shopping in Downtown Crossing left us more than spent for an afternoon siesta. Mom and Emi were in the neighborhood for an early dinner, so they stopped by to see the condo, and after they left we took a quick nap as the sun slanted through the bedroom windows.

Despite the sun’s arrival, it was no match for the wind and the chill of this Boston weekend, so I was once again on the OpenTable hunt for a nearby restaurant that we hadn’t done to death. We found one relatively close ~ the Westland ~ and it turned out to be a great choice ~ casual and comfortable, with a few old-fashioned classics, like Oysters Casino, which we tried in a moment of ‘Mad Men’ inspiration. (Everything fried is new again.)

The next morning was sunny ~ it’s always sunny on the day you have to leave. Kira and I joined my Mom and Emi at The Friendly Toast for breakfast, then stopped at Cafe Madeleine for some macarons for Andy. Coming full circle, by the time this is posted he and I will be back in town celebrating our wedding anniversary. That seems a fine and fitting place to end this quick Boston weekend recap. Looking forward to the next adventure…

The universe is too often an all-or-nothing type of beast. When it rains it pours. There is no happy medium. Everything or nothing in moderation. Such was what happened last weekend in Boston, when Kira, Sherri, Skip, Mia, Jack, my Mom and my niece all found ourselves in that fair city (with some rather unfair weather). I was thrilled with the circumstances ~ having some of my favorite people in my favorite city at the same time was a happy confluence of events. The stars rarely align in so fortuitous a fashion. (It turns out there was a Cher concert at the end of the weekend too, so Boston was very much the place to be.)

While Sherri and Skip and the kids stayed at the condo, I got to try out the Fairmont Copley Plaza and realize a dream I’ve had since I was a kid. Camping out at a hotel is one of my favorite things to do, and when it’s the Grande Dame of Boston hotels it is a special treat. Carly Copley, the current canine mascot, greeted me at the door flanked by two golden lions, and I strutted down Peacock Alley to check in.

My Mom was hosting Emi at the Copley Marriott, and with the swirling clouds, wind, and rain, I sought out dinner options at nearby places, settling on Post 390 with its cozy fireplace. Emi was on her most lady-like behavior (give or take a bit of bread dipped in a milkshake) and we enjoyed a lovely dinner. Returning to my hotel room, I came back to champagne and candy graciously provided by the Fairmont with a sweet welcome note before heading out to visit Skip and Sherri.

I get to hang out with Skip at the condo once a year, but I never get lucky enough to see Sherri when I’m here, so that was a treat. We played a few rounds of Taboo with Mia and Jack, and soon enough Kira arrived in a maelstrom of pouring rain. We broke out some of Skip’s MacCallan, and there was no cozier place to spend a stormy evening. Outside, lightning flashed, rain pelted the windows, and the trees swayed wildly in the wind, but when good friends meet other good friends there is nothing but warmth.

By the time we were ready to return to the Fairmont, the weather had calmed. We made the quick walk back along Southwest Corridor Park and arrived in the warm glow of that beautiful lobby. We stopped in at the Oak Long Bar for a nightcap (and by nightcap I mean Crab Avocado toast and an order of fries).

The luxury of getting to walk right up to our room after our time in the Oak Long Bar is something we usually aren’t afforded. (Not that a four minute trek to the condo is such a bad deal either.) We went to sleep surrounded by opulent history, resting up for the next day.