Highlights:
"Old Ironsides" ***********
Following the Freedom Trail *******
Boston, MA
Sept. 22 & 23, 2008
110 miles and 2-1/2 hours from our last stop
Bob & Jenny's Cross Country Adventure
Day 37 & 38
Welcome to
What's next? Freeport, Maine
An ideal camping location with easy access to Historic Boston can be found at Wompatuck State Park. Nestled in the affluent neighborhood of the town of Hingham, you'll be surprised to find this huge State Park with miles and miles of paved bike paths (no autos!) A short drive takes you to the Hingham ferry for a 35-minute ride delivering you straight onto Rowe's Wharf near the Boston Sea Aquarium. It's cheap, fast, convenient, and bicycle friendly too!
Take a walk on the Freedom Trail! Actually, we rode our bikes, but be forewarned--Boston is not a bike-friendly city! Only try biking during the off-season. Walking is a breeze anytime.
The Freedom Trail will lead you to many historical sites found here in Boston. Highlights include Paul Revere's home (now a museum), the Old North Church (remember "one if by land, two if by sea"?), and our favorite--the oldest naval ship still afloat -"Old Ironsides", which was built on the orders of George Washington!
Boarding "Old Ironsides" immediately transports you to 1797. A Naval Officer brings it all to life...The gun deck, what it took to fire the cannons, the noise so loud it would blow out your eardrums with a cannon recoil of 4 to 6 feet backwards at 45 mph. The sleeping deck with hammocks for 200 men. You really get a sense of life aboard this ship.
Getting there is half the fun!
Taking our bikes on the ferry.
The church steeple in which Paul Revere's signaled that the British were coming.
"Old Ironsides" --Our oldest Naval Ship still afloat.
Sleeping Deck. Each man was allotted 1/2 to 1 gallon of water a day. Do you suppose thirst or bathing won out?
Gun Deck. Can you imagine 14 men at each of these cannons? Now add black fuming smoke and it may come close to what a day at battle looked like in here.
Other fun finds here: The original Cheers Bar (from the TV show), Fenway Park, and Panera Breads (mmmmmmm!)
Paul Revere raised 11 children in this house. Interestingly, the stairs up to the second level open up into the master bedroom, which is also where guests would have been entertained--right at the foot of their bed. Typical of homes during that time.
Horay to the Riverkeepers!!!
Fenway Park. Home to the Boston Red Sox!
Nearby, the museum for the Salem Witch Trials.
Witch Hunt: The need for a scapegoat in a time of crisis, in a setting of fear.
