our last view of the Sow's Ear Winery
something we saw everywhere were the tiny graveyards along the side of the road
Fort Knox in Prospect, ME
Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory
loads of stately Victorian manor homes along the drive...
downtown Camden, Maine
leaving Maine
this picture was taken in New Hampshire...such a small state, such a short time spent there, it was only fitting that I missed the sign due to a tantrum in the back seat.
...And back into Massechusetts!
We stopped at Panera for dinner and Walmart for drinks and then headed straight to the hotel for the night. This time we were staying only a few exits closer to Boston...and by the time we had to turn around and do a uturn, we might as well have stayed in Peabody. We were at the Fairfield Inn & Suites this time. The rooms were more up-to-date, but the internet was super slow (unless of course you pay for
higher speed) and no "suite" this time around. We also had to ask for a cot to be brought in since they did not provide one despite reserving the room for 5 people. It worked for us, but not worth the extra cost and in a sketchier part of town.
The breakfast the next morning had lots of options but once again, failed in comparison to Homewood Suites, and everything was just a bit grimy. Only noting here for the sake of others or even to jog my mind for any future planning.
We got a later start than I desired, but around 10:00 we headed out to explore and enjoy a day in Boston.
It only took us about 20 minutes to get into town and park.
Once we parked, we started our stroll in the Public Gardens. We enjoyed the beauty of the gardens. We waited in line for the swan boat ride. We even got to see the pair of swans...one sitting on the nest, another paddling alongside the boats.
Then we walked around and enjoyed the flowers and statues.
We finally ended at the "Make Way for Ducklings" sculptures. After some fighting, each child got a turn sitting on mrs. mallard.
We crossed the street and entered the more pedestrian Boston Commons. We wound through there and began our walk to the start of the Freedom Trail. Fair warning! We did complete almost all of the Freedom Trail but it was completely cursory and mostly to see the sites from afar. I long for an opportunity to come back when kids are a bit older to really take it all in and get the chance to walk through the building we passed on this trip. (and to take a Duck Tour--D desperately wanted to this time)
First stop was the Massechusetts State House.
then the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial...a bronze sculpture honoring the first American army unit made up of free black soldiers which fought in the civil war.
One of my friends (a Bostonian for several years) recommended we bring a stroller for all the walking. I think Michael was thankful for it, but I was not prepared for all the flights of stairs and narrow sidewalks that little allowed for this stroller. I think a single umbrella stroller would have been far more useful...even with one more little one having to walk.
We passed by Park Street church with towering steeple. (and hit a few raindrops)
We walked on to the Old Granary Burying Ground. Inside these gates is the final resting place for lots of important folks: John Hancock, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin's parents, among many others. I found it very interesting to see the skull and crossbones on every tombstone. Did not realize it went that far back and has since been dropped from most.
We walked on to the King's Chapel and Burying Ground. (I admit at this point, I realized how nice it is to simply have to follow a red brick line in the sidewalk...no map needed) This chapel was built in 1688 out of wood and then reconstructed in 1749 out of granite by simply constructing around and dismantling the old structure. The steeple bell was cast by Paul Revere. The insets in the front of the church contained: 1. The Lord's Prayer 2. The Ten Commandments 3. The Apostle's Creed. Loved them!!!
Our walk then took us right next door to the Old City Hall and the site of the first public school. This was the original city hall from 1865-1969. A statue of Benjamin Franklin resides in the courtyard. We saw a team of archeologists digging there for the remains of the school headmaster's house. There was also a bronze donkey and a set of feet (with elephants therein) to stand in opposition. Of course, Michael had to place himself there!
The name of the next building amused me and caught my attention as we continued our walk.
We then approached the Old South Meeting House, the start of the Boston Tea Party riot.
...and the journey continued on...and into the busyest area of town, the financial district. We stopped at a traffic light and long enough to take pictures of the Old State House, the state capital building from Revolutionary war times until 1789. The lion and the unicorn on the top are symbols of the British rule that started here. This building is dwarfed by all the modern skyscrapers around but used to sit as one of the tallest buildings in the 18th century. The Declaration of Independence was read from the balcony below in 1776.
We headed across the street at this point and into probably the most touristy area of all. (thus far, it had been a combination of tourists and locals.) The next spot was the quintessential spot for tourist shopping...Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. Maybe without kids we would have peaked inside at the architecture inside this historical market/town hall. But the modern stores/foodcourt did little to attract me. The outside entertainers that are often mentioned were not present because of the rain (at this point, just a light drizzle). Samuel Adams, another father in fight for independence, has a statue out front. And my "Bostonian" friend reminded us to look up for the grasshopper on the weathervane. Comically, we did and then moved on, but when asked later what her favorite part of the day was, little E said, "the grasshopper!" We kept on walking so we could reach our lunch destination further on...
Our next stop was a quick detour to the New England Holocaust Memorial. It was touching and a reminder to not give way to evil because it seems insignificant at first.
And back on the Freedom Trail to cross into Little Italy. It was a fun view into everyday life for many people. Much more residential than where we had been previously. Our first stop there was at Paul Revere's House. It is the oldest surviving clapboard house, and it was from here that he started "his midnight ride." I would have loved to go in, but we decided to save it for later in the day--if we made it-- and to push on so we could get some lunch. Sadly, later never happened (on this trip).
The path took us through the district with its distinctive Italian style including Sacred Mary Italian Church and St. Stephen's Church. We headed to the Paul Revere Mall. (mall, as in, open green space) It has a large bronze statue of Paul Revere on horseback. It was lovely with the double rows of trees and the fountain and the Old North Church steeple in the backdrop.
The final stop on this part of our Freedom Trail walk was the Old North Church. It dates from 1723. It was from here that Paul Revere hung a pair of signal lanterns in the belfry in 1775 to warn the patriots. ("two if by sea")
From here, we ended our Freedom Trail walk and took a lunch break. We walked through the non-touristy parts of the Italian district...back streets and fun buildings.
We ended our walk at a local pizza place recommended by Erin. Regina's. Yum! It was definitely worth the wait!
We wove our way back to Hanover Street and Mike's Pastry for dessert...another recommeded spot. All along the freedom trail we had seen people carrying the iconic boxes. It was also definitely worth the wait. Incredible selection and so scrumptious! Especially loved the caramel cannoli.
We went to the Rose Kennedy Greenway to enjoy our pastries. Here we also had the excitement of about 5 fire trucks and firemen up on several ladders against the DMV across the street. No sign of fire, and things quieted down again quickly.
We opted to go back a different route to the car. This time we turned east and headed down along the water. We walked by the Custom House, whose skyscraper tower was visible from much of downtown. Finally landed in Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Garden for a rest. For the most part, the kids were pretty cranky by then, but the roses sure were beautiful!
We walked down Long Wharf to catch a view of the infamous Boston Harbour. The view was fun, but our adventurous kids scared me a bit along this open sides to the sea.
We followed the greenway back to Summer/Winter St. Along the way, we passed by lots of posh hotels. Out of the door of one of them, I walked two feet from a very chic, well-heeled lady that caught my attention. Her hair was so well-coiffed and she was so exquisitely put together that you could hardly miss her in her pink suit and pink lipstick. I did a double-take but simply because she seemed so fashionable. We walked on. About 4 feet later, Michael said, "That was Newt Gingrich!" He is always "seeing" people he knows so I turned around to determine the truth for myself. Sure enough. It was him...and he was with the lady in pink! I had not even noticed him for the sake of his wife! By the time the camera was pulled out, they had gotten into the waiting car. This spotting gave Michael the wings he needed to finish the long walk. (it was now about 5 pm--walking almost the entire time)
Newt's car
We went down the very busy Summer St./Winter St. It seemed that everyone in Boston was all in one location at the same time. We passed by some fun buildings including the Beaux Arts facade at Downtown Crossing and the site of the most famous parade each year--Macy's!
We got back to our car. Yes, we did not make it by the Boston Tea Party ship and museum. And yes, we did not go into hardly any of the famous sites. But as an overview, our walk was thorough.
We drove out of the city by Beacon Hill and then crossed the bridge again to get into Charlestown.
Charlestown was the site of our last stop. We rushed to make it to the USS Constitution before closing. I suppose it was with a mix of relief and frustration that we learned it had been dry-docked and was closed for tours two weeks previously. To be in dry dock for maybe about 2 1/2 years. Relief because we only had about 10 minutes to close-time including a necessary potty break, and folks were tired out for the day. Frustration that we had missed the opportunity to see it by only 2 weeks. We took a few pictures and got back in the car to drive to the Bunker Hill monument.
Our last stop for the day and the trip was Bunker Hill. I guess I was expecting the area to be a bit roughneck since the neighborhood is still a working Navy Yard. It was by far the most comfortable neighborhood of Boston. The tourists were gone. The median age appeared in the 30s. It just was a nice pleasant neighborhood. We parked and walked up the hill to the monument. We were awarded at the top by a good view and a massive monument. I also really liked the yoga being done on the lawn in front of the monument. Seemed to set the tone for the neighborhood.
Our trip was almost over. We drove by the abandoned Chinese restaurant--a massive palace-- one last time on the way back to the hotel. Everyone was beat so we collapsed into beds with sore feet and ready to rest for a long day of travel the next day. Tuesday's travel was moderately pleasant and the drive to the airport was pretty easy. Overall though, we were so happy to arrive back home again that evening at 8 pm. (left at 11 am or so).
The secrets from this last part of our trip? Just watch National Treasure and you will find there could be a very large treasure hidden under the Old North Church. :)
