April 19th 2013: Sightseeing During the Boston Lockdown

This morning, as I headed into the Boston area, I heard that the city and the towns around it were under lockdown due to the marathon bombing suspects being at large in Watertown. As a result, I decided to explore the towns north of the lockdown area instead, starting with Everett,

Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium,
Spring Street and Chelsea Street

Edward G Connolly Center,
90 Chelsea Street

Mystic River near the Dam

Mystic Side Congregational Church

Whitney Lorenti House,
15 Summer Street

Amelie Earhart Dam,
End of Mystic View Road

Fountain, School Street and Broadway

Next, I decided to do a short hike up Waitt's Mount in Malden. Unfortunately, this place/park is still under construction, but I still managed to get to the top and see the great views from there. I'm definitely coming back with the construction of the park is completed.

After enjoying the views, I decided to head to the Park at River's Edge in Medford for a stroll in the park. Flowers were blooming and I took several pictures of them. Pictures of the Mystic River from here follow.

The Park at River's Edge

Mystic River

Taking a stroll

Mystic River from
Revere Beach Parkway Bridge,
110 Revere Beach Parkway

Revere Beach Parkway Bridge

From Medford, I headed into the town of Melrose, which I have never visited before except during my hike in the Middlesex Fells Reservation several months back. I decided to go for my first real hike in a long while at Pine Banks Park.

After parking in the playing fields area, the path I took here is shown below in pink.

I first headed up to the top of the first supposed viewpoint, which unfortunately was obscured totally by trees. I then went down to the pond below, where a California Firefly landed on my jacket.

The Pond

California Firefly

From here, I headed to the other viewpoint. This time, the views, especially of Boston in the distance, were pretty good.

After climbing back down, it was time to head to Tewksbury for lunch at Main Street Pizza, passing by a few places in town along the way.

Touching Souls Sculpture
outside Tewksbury United Methodist Church

Long Pond,
Ferncroft Road and Whipple Road

Fireman Sculpture,
South Street and Main Street

Disabled Army Veterans Post 110

From here, I got the Spicy Fries, the All Meat Pizza (Pizza Sauce, Cheese, Sausage, Hamburger, Bacon, Pepperoni) and the Florentine Pizza (Cheese, Alfredo Sauce, Chicken, Broccoli). The Florentine was really bland, while the fries were not spicy in the least bit, and the meat lovers was just average. Not a good experience at all.

Spicy Fries

Meat Lover's Pizza

Florentine Pizza

Not satisfied at all with my meal, I decided to head to the Sugar Coated Bakery in Dracut to grab some dessert, where I had $50 to spend. It ended up with me getting almost all the cakes in the store, which had really nicely designed birthday cakes as well.

The Desserts I got

The Birthday cakes in store

I have to say the desserts were pretty original, and the Tiramisu Jar looked cute as well. Not a bad place to have dessert at at all.

After grabbing dessert, I headed into Lowell to do some sightseeing there. I visited the campus of UMass Lowell, which did not have many interesting buildings,

Shedd Park

Ouellette Bridge

Centralville Memorial Park

Peniel Spanish Christian Church,
41 Ennell Street

Engine 6, Ladder 4

Greenhalge Elementary School

Tremont Gatehouse,
Suffolk Street near Father Morissette Boulevard

LeLacheur Park

McAuliffe Elementary School,
570 Beacon Street

Old Wannalancit Mills

Old Lawrence Mills,
End of Lawrence Drive

Northern Canal, 

Father Morissette Boulevard and Aiken Street

Pawtucket Falls Rapids

Western Canal

Fox Hall, UMass Lowell

Cumnock Hall

Recreation Center

The Rivershark

Alumni Memorial Library

Southwick Hall 

Coburn Hall

Sheehy Memorial Park,
499 Pawtucket Street

Merrimack River from the park

The Francis Gate at Francis Gate Park,
500 Pawtucket Street

At this point, I felt it was too late to proceed further, so I decided to head to dinner back in Tewksbury at Angelina's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, a pretty upscale place, another Groupon in hand.

For my discounted meal, I decided to get the Scallop Abruzzi (pan seared scallops on a bed of fresh spinach drizzled with balsamic reduction, topped with shaved parmigiana) and the Creamy Shrimp Bruschetta (toasted bruschetta topped with shrimp, fresh diced tomato, basil, spinach finish with a cream sauce) for appetizers, the Scrod alla Vito (panko breadcrumbs pan-fried with fresh tomatoes, baby spinach in a garlic cream sauce. Served over linguini) for my main dish, and Profiteroles for dessert.

Scallop Abruzzi

Creamy Shrimp Bruschetta

Scrod alla Vito

Profiteroles

Not only were the appetizers delicious, the scrod was also fresh, tasty and delectable, going well with the cream sauce. The profiteroles were good as well. One of the few restaurants in Tewksbury I would recommend.

With that, I spent my day when Boston was under lockdown well. Thankfully,  they caught the guy soon after the lockdown was lifted. Boston Strong!!