Lookinglass: Basta!

re. poison ivy: My house sits on 2.75 acres of wooded gloriousness in Chatham and nobody, in the 50+ plus years of my living in the house, has Ever gotten a serious case of poison ivy! In our experience, many (most) (all) of our visitors spend most (all) of their time on the beach where there is no poison ivy but where there are sharks. The sharks have only one point (not three), which is to eat.

ggreen, Nice write up! The only thing I would mention is that Hallet's is only a summer operation.

ggreen, they can actually run a gamet of colors, mostly read, but yellow and orange also fall into place as the leaves turn, especially when you add oak and sumac to the mix. I have a lot in my woods, so see it climbing and spreading in the autumnal months and my landscaper is now treating it to keep it at bay. It is too dangerous for me to try to cut the vines off of some trees, even in the winter months.

Bowsprit? basta? I don't know what that means. Is that a compliment? How wonderful that your Chatham house doesn't have poison ivy/oak/sumac. But you must admit that it is rampant in the cape, especially in the dunes, as a person that has lived on the cape for over 50 years, you cannot deny what the authorities warn visitors about time and time again.

Well, anyway, I hope the OP has a great time planning the family trip. When you get closer to plans I look forward to offering further advice near whatever accomadations you choose. So nice that a fodorite offered to let you park the van at their house. Very cool.

It means, 'Enough'. Authorities aren't warning anyone about anything. The dunes are off limits to walkers. Just stop ranting. Once again, your information is wrong.

And don't forget to put out the word to visitors to watch out for the Browntail Moths up here! Oh my Goodness! Strange creatures and flora surrounding them at every turn! Oh my! (better head to Vegas, lookinglass)

Thanks gomiki! I forgot that about Hallet's. Too bad!

I'm sorely tempted to tell OP to take a significant detour to Tiverton, RI, just for the ice cream at Gray's-! At least they're open year round... :)

// As for poison ivy, call me a wimp but I really dread it, especially in the fall. When I was a kid, I could roll in the stuff and not get a single mark - totally immune. Then one summer on the Cape when I was about 13, I got it without knowing it, and managed to spread it everywhere because I scratched it and mosquito bites indiscriminately. Geez, just writing this I can picture the field and the back of the house where it happened!

After that, I had a couple of really severe bouts of it. Twice they were in the fall, once when the leaves had changed to autumn hues, and once when the leaves were dried up - but the oil remained. I think it must have been growing on a stone wall I climbed over. That time, I unknowingly rubbed it on my *face*! More recently, my mother got a bad case after clearing out underbrush in her backyard. Ugh, it gives me the heeby-jeebies just thinking about it...

sigh. more poison ivy: I love the stuff on the dunes. It's hearty and it stops erosion. It's easily spotted, changes its 'spots' in the fall though and doesn't always have 3 leaves. It's obvious and often marked on walking trails. It's easily avoided. (stay away from the underbrush)

Ticks, however, will get ya. Check your body carefully!

You do know that Hallett's sells Hershey ice-cream, right? There's better than that to be had on Cape Cod!

Actually blowing off Boston completely and all my other suggestions. . . which were fabulous. . . . . could work too.

Those that suggested Tiverton and Newport RI. . . The trees, the landscapes. And the impact of history and how the tenement lords built their summer mansions. . . there is plenty of history both nautical and otherwise

Tiverton and Newport would be interesting places to visit, plenty going on in Newport year round Mansion wise, and could be lucrative for the jazz duo to investigate new venues.

So many right answers to your dilemna.

I'm not sure what the sighing is about. Is p.i. a frequent topic/complaint in Cape threads in the forums? This is the first I've seen it mentioned.

FWIW, poison ivy is not just on dunes and not always marked - I guess that was the point I was trying to get across in recounting my early experiences from before I knew what to look for. But you're right, the chance the OP and family will encounter it in a day and a half out of Hyannis is pretty low.

And Hallet's is not Hershey's ice cream. It used to be Hood and now it's home made from Richardson's dairy - not shabby ice cream by far. Back when they served Hood, it wasn't ever so much about the quality of the ice cream as about the character of the place in which you ordered it. I'll be interested to see what it's like now that they're reopening.

Bowsprit, do you have recommendation(s) for good ice cream during the off-season on the Cape? My longstanding favorite, the Four Seas, is not open past mid-September. :(

Socialworker, thanks for the offer, have sorted out accommodation in Boston yet, that was going to be my next question!!!! :-)

That should be haven't sorted out accommodation yet.

Back to the trip. In Hyannis, across the road from the hotel where Grand Cru is located, just past Cumberland Farms gas station, is Cooke's Seafood, consistently rated one of the best on the Cape and reasonably priced as seafood goes. They now remain open until Thanksgiving. I strongly recommend them. Many of the waterfront seafood joints will have closed by the time you are there.

ggreen, great suggestions!

Bowsprit, do you have recommendation(s) for good ice cream during the off-season on the Cape?
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Nope. Sorry.

re. Hallett's: Yes, you're right it was Hood. Not wonderful. The atmosphere is 'Olde Time Cape Cod' at Hallett's,'tis true.

My 'sigh' simply marked my impatience before your reply re. the likelihood of a visitor having a serious encounter with 'PI': "But you're right, the chance the OP and family will encounter it in a day and a half out of Hyannis is pretty low."

Thanks starrs! And thanks for clarifying the 'sigh', Bowsprit.

:)

Boston is an incredible city. You will be glad if you visit it.

The only two hotels we have stayed in there are:

1. Marriott Courtyard in Brookline (a great walking neighborhood with restaurants, shops, and T-station right there). This hotel offers underground 'secure' parking for a fee.

2. The Park Plaza, which is an historic building downtown, right near the Freedom Trail, the harbor, etc. Valet parking is expensive there, but there is also a parking structure across the street. This hotel gets bad reviews for some smallish rooms, but we stayed on the concierge level to get a larger room, which was well worth the extra cost. Because at the time, the hotel offered a complete breakfast buffet on the concierge level, and a full cocktail hour with appetizers each evening (enough for a light meal). Plus a concierge desk is on that floor for personal assistance.

(In any event, I suggest you haul the expensive musical equipment up to your hotel room.)

Thanks for the hotel suggestions PeaceOut. I will check them out. I don't know if you remember the Hammond organ from the 60's and 70's era, but my DD plays one of those. They are super heavy take a lot to shift and they won't be taking it into the hotel room. The SIL's guitar on the other hand goes everywhere with him so won't be left in the van.

Please get in touch with me at socialworker71 at gmail.com if at any point you decide that you want to use our driveway for parking your van, nelsonian.

Is the organ the only other equipment besides the guitar? No speakers, amplifiers, etc? The organ does not sound so enticing to thieves, (for what I know about music gear, which is nothing!) but I do remember a story in the Globe from some years back where all of a musician's equipment was stolen from his vehicle.

Ooh, a Hammond organ! I'd think it would be fine covered inside the van inside a parking garage affiliated with a hotel. (I'm no expert on criminality, but I'd think your average smash-and-run criminal wouldn't know what it is.)

In Boston, for an event every autumn we used to stay at the Colonnade opposite the Prudential Center. They have a parking structure integrated into the hotel and they'll validate the ticket so you get a little discount on the parking fee. I really like the location, nicely roomy rooms (recently renovated), and the Brasserie Jo is a good hotel restaurant and bar. (For breakfast, though, we pig out at Charlie's, a Boston institution a few blocks away in the South End.)

Another time we stayed near the hospital complex in Brookline. Basically the only hotel there - a Holiday Inn if I remember correctly - takes advantage of their monopoly on the location so that the quality is really poor. And the parking structure was dark and narrow to maneuver even our compact car!

Last year (for the same event), we stayed at the hip Liberty Hotel. Not my "cup of tea" at all! (By contrast to Brasserie Jo's cozy crowd, the bar was way too loud, and didn't have the selection we're used to at the former.) However, your kids might get a kick out of this converted jail, if even just to peek inside if you're in the area.

I'll try to remember what other hotels I've stayed in and provide more suggestions...

Socialworker, there will be a Leslie speaker, to go with the Hammond, which again is large and very heavy. There will be a guitar amplifier also, but SIL may take that with him to the hotel room. I need to have discussions with DD and SIL about what they want to do, but they are gigging on a cruise ship at the moment, only getting short e-mails and brief Skype calls. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Not to turn to trivia, but I offered my advice a long way up thread.

What I want to know, "Is this a Hammond B-3?" If so, awesome!

My apologies for the poison ivy detour. I was simply commenting and then replying to an angry retort - a now deleted post. I find it irresponsible to continue to wax poetically about the beautiful ground foliage when you have been told most of it is poisonous. Of course I didn't think the likelihood of nelsonian and family exploring Hyannis for a few days would likely have the time for a hike that could lead to a painful outbreak, but others who read this thread might decide to collect the pretty leaves.

Not sure I would lodge in Brookline as a one time visitor with limited time. The reason I don't like the Park Plaza, is that many of the rooms are small and stuffy with windows that don't open, or they open above the dumpsters and delivery area which in the heat of summer is vile. The lobby is quite nice and old school though.

I would consider priceline for two rooms in backbay.

Again, I am sorry for putting this thread off track, but I did it to protect other people that might read this thread.

Colonnade does have that roof top pool!

There is absolutely no rush, for me to know what you will eventually decide nelsonian. We should be home at that time and will not need any extensive advance notice if you do decide to take me up on the offer! :)

I find it irresponsible to continue to wax poetically about the beautiful ground foliage when you have been told most of it is poisonous.
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lg: YOU are the Only poster who tried to make a little joke about the colorful ground foliage!! Are you forgetful? I know a great visual motor exercise that can increase your coordination and improve your memory! You seem to be a little obsessed about poison ivy as you've brought it up once again. Perhaps you could focus on something else now?

socialworker: You are the nicest person!

Bowsprit, no need to accuse me of your false accusations and distort my genuine and kind intent negatively. I was only defending my intent that had been completely reinterpreted and distorted.

Meanwhile I have tried to add some very helpful commentary and advice in regards to the poster's plans.

I've noticed that I need not provoke you for you to be unusually aggressive towards me. It is a habit, I hope you grow out of.

Ackislander yes, it is a Hammond C3, but the top has been cut from the bottom for slightly easier transportation. The only difference between the B3 and the C3 is the B3 is already chopped.

I was thinking about Priceline, but if you bid for two rooms wouldn't there be a possibility you would end up in different hotels.

Re: Priceline

Not if you bid for two rooms in one bid. I've been lucky getting the Weston, which was slighly dated last year but has heavenly beds for a fraction of the going rate. It's worth checking out the betterbidding and other bidding for travel site to find what hotels are likely in what areas. I suggested back bay, because I think it is a safe choice for bidding. No real live wire choices.

Of course there are lots of great places that you could book with a 24 hour cancellation policy and then try pricelining before you leave manhattan.

I've not read one helpful reply from you, lg. Not. one.

"I was simply commenting and then replying to an angry retort - a now deleted post. I find it irresponsible to continue to wax poetically about the beautiful ground foliage when you have been told most of it is poisonous"

Ridiculous. There was no angry retort. My comment was deleted and I was commenting on how interesting it was that a "brand new" poster was obsessed with poison ivy on the dunes of Cape Cod - just like a previous poster was. I suppose my mistake was listing three of the names that poster used.

For those who are wondering, that previous poster was really upset that something I wrote about the fall foliage was actually chosen as a quote used in a guidebook. That previous poster was quite sure that the fall foliage I saw was poison ivy. Kind of like THIS poster. ;)

Silly, silly stuff. Silly stuff indeed. How ridiculous to sidetrack a thread with suggestions for nelsonian's visit with cautions about poison ivy. Ridiculous, indeed.

Not quite for the first time, Starrs and I agree.

(and I really Like the quotes Fodor's chooses as additions to their guidebooks!)

We teach a class in the Boston suburbs and usually take the class on the Boston Duck Tours. Not open during our last Nov. class so I made my own tour:

1. Symphony Hall - built in 1900 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which continues to make the hall its home.
2. Christian Science Center - is The Mother Church and administrative headquarters of the Christian Science Church founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879.
3. Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music.
4. Left – Apple Store – the largest in North America
5. Prudential Center - The Pru,[1][2] is a skyscraper in Boston, Massachusetts. The building, a part of the Prudential Center complex, currently stands as the 2nd-tallest building in Boston, behind the John Hancock Tower.
6. Boston Public Library - the first publicly supported municipal library in the United States, the first large library open to the public in the United States, and the first public library to allow people to borrow books and other materials and take them home to read and use.
7. Old South Church - was built on newly filled land in the Back Bay section of Boston home to one of the older religious communities in the United States.
8. Boston Public Garden - established in 1837 when philanthropist Horace Gray[4] petitioned for the use of land as the first public botanical garden in the United States. Home to the Swan Boats.
9. Boston Common - During the 1630s, it was used by many families as a cow pasture. The Common was used as a camp by the British before the American Revolutionary War, from which they left for the Battle of Lexington and Concord. It was used for public hangings up until 1817.
10. Cheers Pub – where everybody knows your name.
11. Beacon Hill - a neighborhood of Federal-style rowhouses and is known for its narrow, gas-lit streets and brick sidewalks. Today, Beacon Hill is regarded as one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods in Boston.[4]
12. State House - The original wood dome, which leaked, was covered with copper during 1802 by Paul Revere's company. (Paul Revere was the first American to roll copper successfully into sheets in a commercially viable manner.) The dome was first painted gray and then light yellow before being gilded with gold leaf during 1874. During World War II, the dome was painted once again, this time black or gray (depending on the source), to prevent reflection during blackouts and to protect the city and building from bombing attacks. During 1997, at a cost of more than $300,000, the dome was re-gilded, in 23k gold.
13. North End - the city's oldest residential community, where people have lived continuously since it was settled in the 1630s. Though small (⅓ mi²), the neighborhood has approximately 100 eating establishments, and a variety of tourist attractions. It is known as the city's Little Italy for its Italian-American population.
14. Old North Church - is the location from which the famous "One if by land, and two if by sea" signal is said to have been sent. This phrase is related to Paul Revere's midnight ride, of April 18, 1775, which preceded the Battles of Lexington and Concord during the American Revolution.
15. Paul Revere’s House - Paul Revere owned this house from 1770–1800, although he and his family may have lived elsewhere for periods in the 1780s and 1790s.
16. Faneuil Hall - The ground floor was originally used to house African sheep brought over from the northwestern region of New Hampshire. The program was short lived however, due to a shortage of sheep and reasoning behind the program in the first place.
17. MIT- Founded in 1861 in response to the increasing industrialization of the United States,
18. Harvard Square - Harvard Square is a large triangular historic center of Cambridge.[2] Adjacent to Harvard Yard, the historic heart of Harvard University,
19. Boston University - BU is categorized as an RU/VH Research University (very high research activity) in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
20. Fenway Park - has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use.
21. Copley Place - constructed in 1983

I have the driving map for my tour available in a PDF if you want it.

Wow thanks Mary_Jane what great information. I would love the PDF, my e-mail is sharon dot f at clear dot net dot nz.

Can you actually go inside the Berkley College of Music, DD was interested in going there when she was looking at colleges after high school.

Thanks so much

You definitely can go inside Berklee. It's very close to Symphony Hall and the well-regarded Huntington Theater, as well as to the Christian Science center if you have an interest in viewing the Mapparium. (FWIW, all of these are a short walk from the hotel I mentioned earlier, the Colonnade.)

Map of Berklee:
www.berklee.edu/visiting/directions.html

Events at Berklee in Nov 2012:
http://www.berklee.edu/events/month/2012-11

Mapparium:
www.marybakereddylibrary.org/exhibits/​mapparium

Huntington Theater:
www.huntingtontheatre.org/

// Coincidentally, just this afternoon I read an article in the Guardian UK about Berklee. Nothing new for those who know about the school, but cool nonetheless to see it in an international newspaper!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012...e-grammy-music

Nelsonian--
We took two friends from Japan to Boston some years ago. I didn't think ahead of time how much we took for granted of American History and had some explaining to do.

If you want an easy way to brush up on the pertinent American history, hunt down the Liberty's Kids cartoons on youtube.(We get them at the library.) They are well done, and famous actors do some of the voices. Here's an index of the episodes, with summaries if you click on the different episodes. The first several pertain to Boston. There are others related to New York.
http://libertyskids.com/story/index.html

You have gotten great recommendations; Freedom Trail, Paul Revere's house and the Plimouth Plantation were all excellent. We also enjoyed Sturbridge, but I think you'd do better to see things in Boston given your limited time.

Enjoy your trip!

Nelsonian, www.lastminutetravel.com often has some very good deals for hotels in Boston. They are "mystery" hotels but pretty easily identified by the photos they show (which are the same as on the hotels websites). So I'd happy to help ID any hotels you find there. You can reserve two rooms at one time. It's not showing any great deals right now but it may be too early. And I don't know if there are any large conventions in town that week.

Another new resource in Boston is a new app by the National Park Service. It covers the Freedom Trail and the Black History Trail and allows you to customize your own tour. It is available right now for IPhones and IPads for free. At ITunes, search for NPS Boston and it will come up.