Friday, August 5, 2011

Tour de Duck


~ A Bus ~ A Boat ~

A Big Pink Duck




In search of cooler temps, we flew off to the eastern shore . . .




And spent a few days in Boston before heading north to Maine.



Come along as the pedicab winds

its way through the streets of Boston . . .



To our destination at the

corner of Beacon and St. Charles . . .



and a favorite spot,

The Boston Public Garden.



The first public botanical garden in America, The Boston Public Garden was designed for meandering with paths through grassy lawns, beautiful blooming beds, and a charming lagoon where one can still ride the Swan Boats.



Created over 100 years ago specifically for The Lagoon, the Swan Boats are still operated by their originators, the Paget family.



The grassy banks along The Lagoon are

the perfect spot to linger on a warm summer day.




The Lagoon is home to many live ducks . . .



And graceful swans.



And the Public Garden is home to

the famous Mallard family of

MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS.



The bronze sculpture by Nancy Schon was created for the Garden in 1987 as a tribute to Robert Mc Closkey and the book that introduced Boston Public Garden to children around the globe.




Robert Mc Closkey published his now famous children's classic in 1941. It was awarded the 1942 Caldecott Medal for Mc Closkey's exceptional charcoal drawings.



Mrs. Mallard proudly leads her

caravan of eight ducklings along the Boston cobblestone.
Jack



Kack



Lack



Mack



Nack




Ouack



Pack



Quack



One of my favorites, MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, is a classic that I think belongs in every child's library. It offers children a "duck's eye" view of Boston and child-like behaviors to which children easily relate. Click here to read about another famous city park with a wonderful statue in tribute to ALICE IN WONDERLAND.



You can find MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, here on Amazon.

Robert Mc Closkey published eight books for children.

His work often reflected his island life in Maine.

Three More Favorites:

BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL

ONE MORNING IN MAINE

TIME OF WONDER

Come back soon for a peek at our trip to coastal Maine.

Click the links below to join:







on

72 comments:

  1. Sunny Simple LifeAugust 5, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    How fun your trip looks. I love all the swans. My mother collected them. Not real ones of course. But I adore the swan boat.

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  2. LynnAugust 5, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    The Boston Public Gardens are beautiful Sarah! Love the ducks and hope you had a great get-away:@)

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  3. KarlaAugust 5, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Those ducklings are super cute!! Fun trip!

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  4. RobynAugust 5, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    wonderful pics! Here in Cincinnati, Ohio we have the DUCK TOUR too, our boat/car is yellow though. Have a fun pink weekend!

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  5. Barbara F.August 5, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    What beautiful weather you had and that is a gorgeous public garden. Love all the ducks and swans! xo

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  6. Bunny JeanAugust 5, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    I am so happy you shared this with us. I never knew about the "Make Way For Ducklings" story or the statues in the park.

    I also like the swan boats very much. How fun that would be to take a little cruise in one of those!

    Thanks for sharing this trip to Boston.

    xoxo Bunny Jean
    www.BunnyJeansDecorAndMore.blogspot.com

    This would be a fun story for you to share at my Bunny Hop party, that is in progress right now ;)

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  7. UnknownAugust 5, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    Thank you for the great tour - I love Robert McCloskey! I wrote a paper on Time of Wonder in college - thanks for the dose of nostalgia.

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  8. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    I am so lucky Sarah to have ducks like that in my back yard. The other day I saw one of the "families" and the little babies are almost all grown up now. I loved this tour. Never been to Boston. We went to Mass. last Fall but never made it to Boston. Maybe next time but thanks to wonderful bloggers like you I get to see it anyway. ~

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  9. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleAugust 5, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    Was it cooler there? We were in Boston in August several years ago and then to Maine and they were having a heat wave. I really want to go back to Maine some day. So pretty at Bar Harbor looking out over the bay.

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  10. Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net)August 5, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Sarah this was such a fun post. I love those little ducklings...how cute is that! So smart of you to get out of Dodge and avoid the heat!

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  11. KathleenAugust 5, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    You only made it as far as Boston? You could have driven down to CT and taken the ferry from New London to Long Island!
    Hope you had fun! Lots of Christmas Tree Shops in the Boston area, did you get to one?
    A. and I went again yesterday, fun day. We had dinner on the way home at 9 PM! That's late for me!

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  12. The French HutchAugust 5, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Sarah, your photographs are fabulous! You've made me want to jump on a plane and head to Boston. I do hope you found cooler temperatures there. I love your story and pics, so cute. I love visiting botanical gardens. We have a lovely one in Birmingham and its been way to long. I think it would be a great place to take Connor this fall. Looking forward to the photographs for the second part of your trip.
    Hope you have a lovely evening........

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  13. RobinAugust 5, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    I love Boston....so many wonderful memories.
    Always something new and always something old, and the two are so well suited to the girl. :-)
    You depict her well in your lovely photos.

    Wishing you and yours a pinkishly beautiful weekend

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  14. Debbie@Mountain BreathsAugust 5, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    The Boston Public Gardens are beautiful Sarah! Love the ducks, and I hope you cooled off a bit.

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  15. Glenda/MidSouthAugust 5, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Thanks for sharing your trip. Glad you could find a cooler spot to vacation.

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  16. UnknownAugust 5, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Always enjoy our trips to Boston ... great your sharing place with us to reminisce. Can see you had a fabulous trip.
    Have a great PS weekend ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

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  17. Country Wings in PhoenixAugust 5, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    Happy Pink Saturday Sarah Sweetie...
    Oh what a gorgeous share this evening. I have always loved this book. Never been to Boston, so I love your share, and the duck walk is gorgeous. Look at their beauty.

    Would love to ride in one of those Swan boats. How romantic. I love it that the original family is still working them. Makes them that much more special.

    You look simply divine. I would say you were definitely having a great time. Thank you sweet one for taking me along as well. Country hugs and much love from Phoenix, Sherry

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  18. BabsAugust 5, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Sarah, What a wonderful trip to the Boston Public Gardens! I absolutely love the duck sculpture. I was surprised that Mrs. Mallard is so large and of course, the ducklings are adorable. Great photo of you and Mrs. Mallard together.
    Thanks for the tour.
    Hugs,
    Babs

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  19. Ricki TreleavenAugust 5, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    What a nice trip. This post is adorable! I love themed posts, and the swan boat is truly something else.

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  20. JacquelineAugust 6, 2011 at 12:09 AM

    How fun! Boston is still on my list of to dos. The Lagoon is gorgeous and the duck sculpture is great. Sounds like such a wonderful time.

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  21. MaggieAugust 6, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    Hi Sarah, Looks like you had a great time in Boston, one of our favourite cities to visit.
    Many years we actually took a swan boat around the lake in the public gardens, what fun!
    Looking forward to seeing where you went next.
    bon weekend
    Maggie

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  22. Johanna GehrleinAugust 6, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Hello Sarah,
    that was a wonderful tour. Thank you for taking me with you. The pictures remind me to many nice stories. When I see the swan boats, I remember the black swan in germany, who fell in love with such a boat. He swum two years with his boat and never left it for a long period. I think then he found a white swan lady more attractive. The bronce ducks are so cute and very natural. They remind me to Memphis, where a hotel host a real duck family. To certain times the ducks came out of the elevator, walking on a red carpet to take their bath in the fountain in the hotel lobby.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  23. Confessions of a Plate AddictAugust 6, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    What fun, Sarah! I especially enjoyed seeing the gardens and was already thinking of Make Way for the Ducklings the second I saw your photos! I loved Robert McClosky's books! My sister even put a spark plug under her pillow when her loose tooth got lost! lol Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

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  24. Pat@Back Porch MusingsAugust 6, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    What a wonderful post, Sarah! The trip sounds fabulous.

    Thanks so much for the book info, too. Will keep this in mind when buying books for our g'children.

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  25. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    :)

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  26. Castles Crowns and CottagesAugust 6, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Oh dearest Sarah, I LIVED IN MASS. for 11 years. I walked passed many a time all these little ducks in a row, following their mum. Boston Common is breathtaking in the early spring when the azaleas bloom in colors not found here in Minnesota. THAT DUCK TOUR IS AWESOME! Love it all...thank you for your kind words and visit! Anita

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  27. Abramyan AvenueAugust 6, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    How beautiful! Looks like yall had a great time! I've always wanted to go to Maine, my daughter too. Those ducklings are too cute! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!!
    -April

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  28. Kelee KatillacAugust 6, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    Boston is beautiful Love the ducks!

    HPS!

    love, kelee @ www.designgivesback.com

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  29. lilabragaAugust 6, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Unbelievably fun!!!
    loveeee you post today!
    xxx
    lila

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  30. Shannon@Cozy Home ScenesAugust 6, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    That would be a great place to visit. I haven't been since our family vacation when I was very young. The swan boat ride looked like it would be fun to do and I love real swans. They are so graceful and beautiful. Happy you had a nice time away. Shannon

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  31. The TablescaperAugust 6, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    I haven't been there in years. Your post brought back so many memories. I'm so glad you'll be linking this to Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablscaper

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  32. Savannah GrannyAugust 6, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    I love the swans. I remember them from my visits. I visited the sculptural tribute to Alice in Wonderland in Central Park, NYC in June of '10. I enjoyed watching the children enjoying the sculpture.
    Thanks for sharing your lovely tour.
    Ginger

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  33. xinexAugust 6, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    What a wonderful trip you too, Sarah. You look so pretty and relaxed. I love the duckling sculpture. Sp pretty!...Christine

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  34. Yellow Rose ArborAugust 6, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    What a nice tour you gave us! I've never been to Boston. Beautiful photography!

    Nice pictures of you, I love to see pictures of bloggers!

    Katherine

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  35. FABBY'S LIVINGAugust 6, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    How beautiful dear friend, I love Boston, it's such a beautiful and elegant city. Love the park and those duck statues are great! Thank you for dropping by pretty lady and have a nice Sunday. Hugs.
    FABBY

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  36. Anita at Cedar Hill August 6, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Sarah, thanks for stopping by my blog and for following. I am so delighted to be following back. What a wonderful trip and I love the ducks! Try to stay cool.

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  37. JaneAugust 6, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    I haven't been to Boston in a very long time but I always loved visiting there. It looks like you are having a great time and Maine sounds like a wonderful place this time of year.
    Jane

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  38. MaryAugust 7, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    Hi Sarah~ I hope you found cooler temperatures! Boston is on my very long list of places to visit~ Love your lagoon shots & the fun duck sculptures! That was one of my favorite children's books. Thanks for the Duck's Eye View :-)

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  39. UnknownAugust 7, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    Sarah,
    You were in my neck of the woods. I hope you were here for the cooler days and not the few real hot ones. I live about thirty minutes outside of Boston. Looks like you saw the best sights. I love that book, my girls were raised reading that one. A few years ago someone stole one of the duck statues. Of course it was all over the news, and then mysteriously it was returned.

    Did you ride on the Swan Boats? Have a beautiful day.

    Karen

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  40. SnapAugust 7, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    Wonderful post. I love Boston Public Gardens and the swan boats and the ducks ... make way for the ducks!!! Have a delightful week!

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  41. JojoAugust 7, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Love the swan boats and your photos are beautiful. I'm headed to Boston in the fall but somehow I don't think it will be as beautiful by mid October. Happy summer.

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  42. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereAugust 7, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Hi Sarah! What a beautiful park and I love the duck sculpture. This sounds like a wonderful trip and I'll be back to see Maine.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  43. EviAugust 7, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    oh, you took me back to the last trip we made to Boston not too long ago. It's "only" about 4 hours away. So, now I want to go again !!!!
    Our son spend his vacation there with our grandson a few weeks ago, while my granddaughter was at the Jersey shore with a friend.
    For an 11 year old boy, this was heaven. They visited all the ships and historical things in the area. The swan rides are alot of fun. I am so happy , that you got to escape that horrendous heat you are all suffering through. My heart goes out to you all!
    Hugs, Evi
    PS. I am praying that you get rain, and the geraniums will come back.

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  44. Tablescapes By DianeAugust 7, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Hi lovely lady.
    I love all your Beautiful photos of the park. The ducks are so sweet ~~~ I love coming over and see all your new post.Im one of your old followers on your blog Sarah. I hope you can come join me also.
    Have a great weekend sweet lady.
    XXOO Diane

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  45. RettabugAugust 7, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    I hope it was MUCH cooler for you there, but I doubt it. We're still melting here...dreadful summer humidity.

    How nice to see you & Mr. HFTSoul...great photo of the two of you. (I have that same hat!!) *wink*

    Safe travels on your return trip.
    Hugs,
    Rett

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  46. MariaAugust 7, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Oh, my goodness! I'm so sorry I missed the garden on my visit to Boston! I would have loved to have seen the duckling sculpture! That was one of my kids' favorite books when they were little. How adorable! And how uplifting to have a sculpture that embodies the sweetness of nature! And by the way, I love the picture of you in your straw hat. Not everyone pulls off hats well, but you do.

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  47. PondsideAugust 7, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    I've never visited Boston - an embarrassment, really, as so many of my family members come from 'the Boston States' as the city was called in Cape Breton at one time. The duck and duckling are wonderful - so like the real thing!
    I'm glad to hear that you have been to a cooler place!

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  48. On Crooked CreekAugust 7, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Sarah,
    You quack me up...cute post, dear friend! Enjoy the cooler temperatures!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  49. Grandma Yellow HairAugust 7, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    So glad I was able to stop by today and visit with you. It has been so long I feel bad that I am behind with my blogging friends.
    What a great trip. Would love to visit Boston and Maine. Especially with the drought we are having here in Tx.
    The Mallard family is awesome.
    Have a great week
    Love
    Maggie

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  50. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageAugust 7, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Hi Sarah! SO fun about "Make Way for Ducklings". It's great to see part of your trip! You just about single handedly made my day today with comments! ha! I look forward to more of your travelogue!

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  51. aspiritofsimplicityAugust 7, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    I am from MA and love Boston. I live on the NH seacoast now and you probably drove just about through my town on your way to Maine.

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  52. Entertaining WomenAugust 7, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Thanks for the little summer side trip. The ducklings are marvelous. Cherry Kay

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  53. PriscillaAugust 7, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Love Robert McCloskey. His books were part of your curriculum.
    If you were looking for cooler weather, you should have come West! We are having a VERY cool Summer - much to my liking.
    You look quite lovely in your photos. I'm sure you had a wonderful time.

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  54. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiAugust 7, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    I love the "Make Way for Ducklings" sculpture in the Boston Public Garden, Sarah! I have photos of my children when they were very young squatting along side the ducklings! This book and "Blueberries for Sal" were among their favorite books!

    Boston is such a nice, walkable town. I really like it there even if the Red Sox are whooping the Yankees these days...lol!

    Enjoy your vacation in Maine! Safe travels!

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  55. AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Hi Sarah! Oh, what a wonderful trip! We have a couple of those 'duck' car/boats here in Galveston!
    Love seeing those cute little ducklings and what personalities they seem to have on their tiny little faces.
    be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  56. bjAugust 9, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    Looks like you had a great getaway. All so pretty.
    I am going to get some of these books for my Deeds. She loves to read. Thanks for letting me know about them.
    xo bj

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  57. Bunny JeanAugust 9, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Sarah, I really enjoyed reading this post last week and I am so happy you picked it for your fisrt time at my Bunny Hop party!

    xoxo Bunny Jean @Bunny Jean's Decor and More!
    www.BunnyJeansDecorAndMore.blogspot.com

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  58. JadehollowAugust 9, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Sarah .. what a great treat! Thank you so much for sharing. I fell in love with Jack & Nack !
    ~Debbie

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  59. JadehollowAugust 9, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Sarah .. what a great treat! Thank you so much for sharing. I fell in love with Jack & Nack !
    ~Debbie

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  60. UnknownAugust 9, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Love the ducks! Looks like a fun trip.

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  61. LindaAugust 9, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Terrific Boston shots!

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  62. .August 10, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    It looks like a wonderful vacation. Boston Park looks like a dream! Can't wait to see the pictures from your Maine trip. Visiting Maine's coast is my dream vacation! :)

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  63. JennyAugust 10, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    What beautiful pictures! You look so happy and lovely. The duck statues are one of my favorites. I've always enjoyed those so much.

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  64. WhyCuzICanAugust 10, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    What a nice blog post!

    I've never been to Boston, but I can tell you if I ever do, I'm visiting THIS park!

    Visiting from Bunny Jean's Linky Party (Bunny Hop)

    ~Suzanne in IL

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  65. UnknownAugust 10, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    What a wonderful post. I remember this book from my childhood. I believe that Capt. Kangaroo read it several times on his show. :) I loved it then and I still love it now! :)
    The gardens are beautiful too. Thank you for sharing.

    ~Liz

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  66. The Boston LadyAugust 10, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    I love that one of the books my children and I enjoyed together is so sweetly immortalized. Splendid pictures of many of Bostons treasures. Ann

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  67. LindyLouMacAugust 11, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Calling by to visit another Outdoor Wednesday participant, thankyou for the virtual tour I particularly enjoyed the ducks.

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  68. JudyBugAugust 11, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    What a fun trip! I would love to visit Boston!

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  69. Bargain Decorating with LaurieAugust 11, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Oh Sarah, what incredible photos. I feel like I have visited the garden. You look so pretty with the duck sculpture, and love the pic of you and hubby. I know you had a wonderful time, and I imagine it was difficult to come back to the Tex heat. laurie

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  70. Decor To AdoreAugust 11, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    I still remember my ride on the Swan Boats in Boston. I rode the duck boat in Seattle. Thank you for the wonderful memories and for linking up on Wayfaring Wednesday.

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  71. Decor To AdoreAugust 11, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    I still remember my ride on the Swan Boats in Boston. I rode the duck boat in Seattle. Thank you for the wonderful memories and for linking up on Wayfaring Wednesday.

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  72. MaryAugust 31, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Oh such memories of Boston - we spent happy times there when the kids were small - it was just an hour from our home.

    Glad you had such nice weather to enjoy the many ducks!

    Hugs - Mary

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