Day 20 - Boston

Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Posted from: Normandy Farms Family Campground - Boston, Mass.
Miles Driven: 70
Total Miles: 2,744

Boston is a cool city. Today was a lovely 78 degrees and perfect for walking the Freedom Trail. This is likely the most popular tourist thing to do in Boston, and they make it so easy! Mom got a break and the kids led us all over the city.

But first, let’s talk about how we got into Boston. Our friend, Maddy, at the campground had suggested parking at the Quincy public transit parking ramp and hopping on the red "T" line (subway) to ride into the city. We had heard over and over again that you don’t drive into Boston. Got it.

We drove the 25 minutes to the parking ramp...only to find it full. Very full. It was going to be awhile before they could allow anyone to enter, and there was already a line. Matt pointed out to the parking attendant that the lighted sign on the freeway did not indicate that the lot was full, (thus people like us kept getting off only to turn around and get back on) to which he replied, "Heck, that sign has been broken for five years." Well done Boston.

So we decided to do the unthinkable. We drove into Boston.

Did you know that you can look for open parking spaces in ramps and prepay to reserve your spot online? Well, you can...and it is really easy. The best part is that I could research online to find a ramp with enough clearance for our truck (we don’t fit in most). I found one with an 8’ 1" clearance that was right next to the Boston Commons and booked it.

It took about another 45 minutes to get to our parking ramp due to a little traffic. We pulled in, found a spot (thanks to a helpful valet), and off we went.

This is how Dad and Grace remembered where we were parked.

First we walked through the parks. Nothing compared to Central Park where we had just been, but a nice city park with a lot of history. Besides, I wanted the kids to see these boats with the swans on them. They were like, "Wait, you don’t even get to ‘drive’ them yourself, or sit in the swan seat?" They were not interested. But it was fun to watch for a few minutes.

We started out on the Freedom Trail, which begins in the park. This was an easy trail for the kids to lead us on because of a narrow two-brick-wide path that went the entire 2.5 mile route. You can see us walking on it in the picture below. This path takes you across streets, bridges, steps and hills. It goes past 16 historic sites that include state buildings, churches, homes, monuments, boats, and cemeteries.

We are walking toward the current Statehouse, which Caleb thought was cool because it was the first one we have seen with a gold dome like Iowa’s Capital Building (which he is insanely impressed with).

Matt and his mini-me’s looking at the spiral staircase in the entryway of the Old South Meeting House. They were discussing the mechanics of a spiral staircase that doesn’t have support beams. 

This is the balcony from which the Declaration of Independence was originally ready. And unfortunately, roughly where we were standing was the site of the Boston Massacre. 

We finally made it to Faneuil Hall. I say finally, but actually it did not take long. BUT this is our lunch stop, so according to Caleb it took forever. The market had a Wagamama noodle bar restaurant. I loved this place when I lived in London, so I talked everyone into having lunch here.

The best part (besides Caleb’s new found love of eating noodles with chopsticks) was the pogo stick street show right next to us on the street. He was Pogo Fred, and holds world records on the pogo stick. It was a good show and fun entertainment while we ate. Caleb was fascinated with the idea of making a living with a street show. I’m pretty sure he planned his entire career while we sat there.

Housed in this unique triangle building is the oldest operating tavern in the United States. It is called the Bell Ringer. I just liked the building.

A church.

The Paul Revere monument. We were lucky enough to meet up with a National Park Ranger who was giving a Paul Revere tour and talk. He was a fantastic story teller. He told a very interesting and real story of Paul Revere. This was one of the best parts of our Freedom Trail walk.

A memorial with a dog tag for each soldier killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Our next big stop was Bunker Hill Monument. This is a tall monument reminiscent of the Washington Monument in D.C. There are 294 spiral steps to get to the top and tickets are free as late by as they are available. The views from the top are pretty cool.

The USS Constitution ship is visible to the right of the picture below.

You can’t tell, but the picture below was taken after our voyage to the top and our legs are shaking so violently we all had to sit for awhile. There are 20-30 steps and a hill to get down off of Bunker Hill, and our legs were not signing up for that immediately after our climb. It might not have been so bad if we didn’t follow Caleb who practically ran up them without stopping (thus so did the rest of us). And then did the same on the way down. It is true that kids keep you young! We were also there at the end of the day so they were about to close.

To make the experience more fun and complete, there is a grate once you get to the top where you can see all the way to the bottom of the monument.

View of Boston from the top of the Bunker Hill Monument.

Our visit to the USS Constitution was probably our favorite part of the day. It was the final stop on our Freedom Trail route. We got there just before they closed for the day. 

Captain Caleb has everything under control.

We walked around the various levels of the ship and the many canons on board. We did not realize that the goal of the canons was not to sink the other ships, but only to disable them so you could capture the ship, bring it back to dock to fix and make it part of your fleet.

And then unexpectedly the kids ended up as part of a flag ceremony and we went home with a flag that flew on the main mast of the USS Constitution.

Cameron raising the flag:

Cameron raising the flag.

The flag flying high.

Caleb lowering the flag

Grace holding the flag off the ground.

Cameron helped fold the flag.

A brief ceremony presenting the flag to Cameron  who accepted on behalf of our family,

And sadly, it was time to leave the ship.

We started the walk back to our beginning point. Matt suggested we stop at the oldest tavern place for a rest. It was close-ish to our starting point and we were getting hungry. 

As luck would have it, this place serves wonderful food and with all of the windows open and a nice breeze, we decided it might be the best place in the city to eat dinner. 

Dad stood outside the restaurant and took this picture.

And this one.

A friend of ours recommended this cupcake shop on the trail. We hate to pass up a good recommendation, so we stopped. She was not kidding. Yum! Thanks Meg! 

One of Cameron’s goals while we were in town was to find a new book to read. He had finished the one he brought. (Really? You only brought one?!) A quick search showed all of the book stores were closed for the day. We did find a comic book store though. So we humored him and walked in. It was a rather large two story store in the market area. They actually did have more than just comic books. We found the book Ready Player One. Cameron loved the movie so he was very interested in the book.

Oh, and I bought Matt a new pair of socks...

As we were walking back through the park on our way to the truck, we passed the Statehouse again. The sun was hitting it just right. It seemed to glow.

As we approached the parking ramp we had a discussion about what happens when you car is put in a parking boot. Yikes!

We did not over plan this day, and I think that’s what made it great. A lot of the best parts of the day were unexpected. I think we will be seeing Boston again someday.