|
|
Castle
Island provides a perfect pause for those of us living in Uphams
Corner, a way to take a deep breath and forget about our worldly
responsibilities or, better still, to look at our lives afresh.. Close
by, beautiful and relaxing, this state park needs to be on our list of
nearby treasures. Two local residents in need of one more stretch of
vacation, spent a wonderful couple hours there - story and photos.
Link to Facebook Page - Castle Island Album
State Park Close to Uphams Corner
On Tuesday, July 30, the two of us (Cynthia and Nancy), after just
arriving home from different out-of-town locations, decided it was
"Time to catch up." Why not take a quick walk on Castle Island in South
Boston on the shore of Boston Harbor. We could talk and catch a bite to
eat at Sullivan's. What a wonderful welcome home to Uphams Corner that
would be - one last quenching taste of vacation, and a respite from
having to transition so quickly back to normal life.
You
can drive to Castle Island in just over 10 minutes. At under four
miles, you can walk there in just over an hour. Or relax on the MBTA.
Using about three commuter lines (Uphams Corner bus, Red Line /
Commuter Rail and a South Boston bus), you can arrive safely to
Farragut Street but then you will have to walk another 0.7 miles. Hmmm.
Sounds like roller skates might be better.
Cynthia drove and in less time than I could tell one good story, she
was parking her car. With a tight schedule, we set a timer for 15
minutes out and 15 minutes back, giving us just enough additional time
to order food and relax at one of the community tables. Almost no
matter where you walk, Castle Island leads to the ocean with
spectacular views of East Boston and ocean worthy vessels, both large
and small.
Friendly Park Visitors and Great Food
This year (2013), the rainy weather has helped maintain the park's
verdant grasses - shining like Spring time. Everywhere people dotted
the landscape, scattered across the walkways, on the beaches or
relaxing on the many park benches. Some were outgoing and friendly,
others calm and reflective, still others, engaged in meaningful and
purposeful conversation (Look at that ship out there . . . What do you
want to order?).
The
sky was filled with billowy cumulus clouds and we watched our sun
dropping ever more quickly westward like a flight at nearby Logan
descending to a distant invisible.
One
young woman with an absolutely precious puppy whose paws appeared
bigger than its head, was excited to share her thoughts about the
future of her little "Great Dane." I asked her: "What does your puppy
want more than anything else?" "Love," she said. (Typical) "Actually,
no," I gently commented.
I
recommended she read "Inside of a Dog" by Alexandra Horowitz which
debunks the usual myths of anthropomorphised misinterpretations of
dogdom and which ranks a NY Times best seller. Her friend, nearby and
attentive to our interaction with the soft, bluegray, mini-monster dog,
came to life. "Yes," she said. "I've heard of that book."
According to Ms. Horowitz, the attribution of "love" to dog behavior is
people projecting their own thoughts onto creatures who are very
different. Dogs human? Nope. And what do dogs want? More than anything
else, dogs want food or to roll across the mushy remains or a dead
animal (perfume).
Oh ...
and wouldn't ya know it. Puppy's male owner is afraid of dogs. Good
luck with that one, especially when the Great Dane starts to take over.
A Little History
Boston was founded in 1630 and four years later, in July 1634, a group
of 20 men including Governor Winthrop visited Castle Island, declaring
it perfect for a fortification. Deputy Governor Roger Ludlow of
Dorchester was elected to supervise construction.
Castle
Island saw military activity at the start of the American Revolution,
during the War of 1812 and during World War II. It also served as the
first state prison in Massachusetts in the late 1700's.
During
World War II, German magnetic mines had the ability to detect an
increase in magnetic field when the steel in a ship concentrated the
Earth's magnetic field over it. Techniques referred to as ship
degaussing were developed to counter the magnetic effect and avert
disaster. Retrofitting ships to handle the magnetic field effect was
Castle Island's final military function.
Originally a real island and inaccessible from shore (without using
water transportation), today Castle Island is connected to the mainland
because expanding shipping facilities extended the mainland out towards
the island.
The
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation now operates
Castle Island as a state park and it is open to tours in the summer.
Time to Eat
Sullivan's, long serving the public at Castle Island with freshly
cooked seafood, hotdogs, "the works," drinks and ice cream, has been
operating there since June of 1951.
Cynthia and I shared a box of food for just over $10 - a generous
helping of crinkle fries, a large piece of fried fish and a fish
sandwich with tartar sauce and ketchup on the side. Almost too much
food for the two of us but very tasty with the seafaring winds wafting
a breeze of kelp and other ocean flavors our way.
If you
haven't been to Castle Island or haven't visited recently, plan to do
so soon. Bring a book, your walking shoes, your dog, your paints or
sketching pencils. You will look back on a day well spent both by you
and your spirit.
Note : A great big thanks to Uphams Corner resident Cynthia Tyler for making this story possible.
|
|
|
|
Posted: July 31, 2013 Nancy J Conrad
|
|
Your comments will be posted here and in the Letters to the Editor after processing.
|
|
|
