George's Island

At the beginning of the summer, Mark and I made a list of activities we'd like to do before cold weather sets in again.  Mark's activities were riding a train (for Frances's sake), attending a symphony and sailing on the Charles.  My activities were consuming onion rings and milk shakes by the ocean, picking berries and taking a ferry to one of the Harbor Islands in Boston Harbor.  We've done all of one spouse's suggestions and none of the other's.  Can you guess the winning spouse?  Keep in mind that one of us schemes about the weekend all week long, while the other does something annoying, like work.  That's right, I win.

     So on a recent weekend, we headed out on a ferry to George's Island in Boston Harbor.  Here's Frances being a bit cheesy on the ride out.

George's Island is dominated by Fort Warren, a Civil-War era fort.  Frances had a great time exploring the fort once we'd pried her from the play structure situated conveniently 100 feet from the dock.  Here she is in the guards' station.

The place was full on nooks and crannies.  We had a great time surprising dad, over and over.

It was very foggy on the way over in the ferry and for half the morning.  Almost looks like a castle on a moor, rather than a fort a 20 minute boat ride from Boston.

Technically, they weren't supposed to be on that side of the barrier, but no one seemed to mind.  More cheese from Miss Frances.  She was in a good mood that day.

She somehow got separated from her shirt...Actually, I know exactly how she got separated from her shirt: she took it off.  What I don't know is why she felt the need to disrobe.  Luckily, she only felt the need to take off her shorts for a few minutes.

Daddy and Frances contemplating the meaning of life, while looking out into the greater harbor...

..."Enough with contemplating life," says Frances.  "Now I will collect rocks, should I ever need some more pebbles in my life."

Next weekend, we will go to a symphony or ride a train or sail on the Charles, I promise.  Probably.