It’s Not Boston Without Cheers

 

It was my third day in Boston and the most important one, my doctor’s appointment, but that didn’t change my interest in seeing more of this historic city.

I started the day at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza with breakfast at Off the Common restaurant. I had the Cinnamon French Toast the previous day, and as good as it was, I was pressed on time. The buffet breakfast looked really good, and I picked a piece of quiche, a muffin, and fruit to have with my latte.

 

It was impossible to go anywhere in Boston without walking through history (or wheeling, in my case). I took advantage of a beautiful day and went through the Boston Public Garden on my way to the doctor's office.

Boston Public Garden was the first public botanical garden opened in the United States. It’s just on the side of Boston Common and was scenic and quiet in the morning, with just a few joggers cutting through (like I was) on their way to work.

 

My appointment at Tufts went well. I decided that, since I wasn’t in a rush and it was a fall like day without a chance of rain, I’d ride my power chair through the park and street rather than take an Uber. It took a bit longer, and I dealt with one hill, but I made it to my next stop without issue.

I was a fan of the show Cheers, and my heart was set on visiting the location of the show. It is currently a museum, shop, and restaurant. I hadn’t even thought about accessibility until I arrived and found out that the only way to it was stairs.

 

Just when I was getting ready to turn around, an employee from the building came out and asked if I was trying to get into Cheers. Dinora told me to wait and returned a few minutes later with a long ramp she placed on the stairs! She held on to my chair, guiding it, as I rode up to the top.

Once inside, I was given a tour and the chance to pose with Cheers sets and cutouts of the actors. Then, another staff member led me into an employee elevator and down to the restaurant.

 

The restaurant has the same décor as the show and was very crowded. I had a root beer and Sam’s Turkey Sandwich (turkey, cheddar, tomato, and cranberry mayonnaise), which was quite good. I was given an escort again up on the elevator and down the ramp to the sidewalk. Before I left, I purchased a Cheers ornament.

It was too far to wheel to my next stop, and I had a long wait for an accessible Uber. I was late for the Museum of Fine Arts. By that time, it was raining, and I was happy to be indoors for a while.

 

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is magnificent. I was impressed with every exhibit. I was lucky enough to see two great ones I really enjoyed: Georgia O’Keefe and Henry Moore, and Power of the People: Arts and Democracy. The latter was timely and interesting, focusing on voting rights and protests.

I wondered around and was fascinated with the Chihuly statue in the library. I had discovered the artist on my trip to Seattle and loved his work. The museum is a must-do in Boston. It has a mix of modern and ancient, antique and contemporary.

 

I also had a long Uber Wave wait from the museum. I had a latte and cookie at the museum’s café while I waited. By the time I got back for to the Hilton, I was exhausted and wet from the rain. I took a shower and went to bed early for my flight home the next day.

Between my activities during the day, I had heard from the doctor’s office that my first surgery was scheduled for two weeks later. I’d be back soon to discover more Boston, with more trips to follow.