By MARGARET MENDEL
The weather in NYC was super crazy this year. All winter the temperatures remained in a weirdly warm range and then in less than a week after the spring solstice, there was a major snow storm and the poor crocus and other early flowering plants collapsed under the freezing temperatures.
We decided to brighten our lives and spend a long weekend in Boston with our son and his wife. Boston is usually colder than NYC and I suspected that we’d spend a great deal of the weekend hunkered down in the house.
This is a photo of the snow laden runway at the NY Laguardia Airport as we queued to take off for Boston.
I was right. It was plenty cold in Boston. One day we ventured out and walked around Boston’s China Town. But it was so blustery and cold that by the time we got parking, most of the tall buildings radiated long dark shadows making the day feel even colder. The only thing that saved the day was the delicious spicy Taiwanese food we had in one of the local eateries. I hoped that tomorrow would be just a bit warmer.
But the next morning was even colder. So, looking for things to do on a freezing day, we decided to visit the Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton, MA, a short drive from where my son lives. I don’t usually think of wineries when I think of Boston. Though there are quite a few of them in the area.
Driving into the parking lot we saw the gnarly apple trees that produced fruit for the winery’s classic hard apple cider. Leafless, the grand old trees appeared stark and foreboding standing in a thick bed of snow.
The tasting room was warm and inviting. When we first arrived there was a rowdy crowd of drinkers who had just finished eating brunch at the adjoining restaurant. They quickly guzzled up their quota in the tasting room and then went out the door and probably home to take a nap.
We tasted a white, a couple reds, the local beer and then we each took a sip of the fifteen year old whiskey. Not bad! My son, who has become a very good cook, purchased a Pinot Noir to go along with the pulled pork that he’d put in the slow cooker before we left for our day’s excursion.
The vineyard, a barren, frigid scene, belies the luscious warmth of the beverage it will eventually produce.
The weekend went too quickly. It was time to pack our bags, head to the airport and make our way back to NYC. The weather was still quite cold, yet the sun, as brilliant as on a summer’s day, did little to warm anything but our spirits.
As the airplane circled around the city, slowly descending, we got a good view of an area in Queens called Flushing, where the 1939 Wold’s Fair was held. It’s now a park with a children’s science pavilion and lots of interesting walkways. Adjacent to the park is where the US Tennis Open takes place.
The plane dipped slightly to the left, the engines slowed to a hum and we got a great view of Manhattan in the background. Most of the snow had melted and now there were only small white patches visible. It was a brilliant day to be coming home.
I love these stories and photos ! I attended that 1963 World Fair with my Grandmother,Aunt and Cousin ! Love the photo of the snow covered vineyard…they say that winter struggle makes a good tasting wine ! How cool that David’s become a great cook !
Hi Susan, Yes, my son has become a very good and innovative cook. And I’ve heard that a vineyard struggling with the cold weather does make for a spectacular wine. Thanks so much for adding to the dialogue of this blog post. Regard to you and your family!
As I was born in Fitchburg, MA, and went to grade school early in Malden and Melrose, MA, I am familiar with this part of the world. Glad you were able to see your son – when did he get married? Love to know the details. T..j, Straw in manhattan
Hi Thelma, Always a pleasure to hear from you. I didn’t know that you were so much a part of MA. Yes, my son has been married for a little less than a year. I would love to share the details with you. I must get over to the East side of NYC to visit with you. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment.
So nice that you were able to spend the time with your son and his wife. Even though it was cold you found fun things to do.
Hi Sharon, Yes, make fun no matter what! So glad to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Margaret,
Thanks for sharing this amazing week end !!
Hi Nalo, It is always such a treat to hear from you. I’m glad you enjoyed this virtual weekend in Boston. Thanks you so much for stopping by and leaving a lovely comment.
Soooo glad that you and Steve were able to visit Dave and Susan. Your Eastern weather is not letting up as our rain is not slowing down. I didn’t know that MA had weather for a vineyard, either. NYC does look cold from above. Great trip and blog.
Hi Toddi, Yes, it was a very nice trip to visit David and Susan. And this winery is no joke. They make everything from hard apple cider to beer, wine and whiskey. Some beverages were better than the others. Not so crazy about the beer, but two of the white wines were quite nice. It was a fun day and loved the view of the vineyard in the snow. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a lovely comment.
I enjoyed checking out your weekend getaway Margaret. There are so many amazing places at your doorstep to explore. It is odd when nature confuses itself by encouraging plants/animals with warmth then boom a ton of snow falls on them!
Hi Eva, Yep, the weather is certainly a fickle companion these days. New York is an amazing place to live in with no end to the exciting, historical, and let’s not forget the yummy! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I enjoy the California romps through your blog. Having live in the Bay Area for over 11 year your blog sometimes makes me a little home sick.