Arrived from Boston

We woke up early around 4:30 am. We took a taxi to the airport and got on our plane to Austin at 7:18 am. From the airplane window we could see bluebonnets. 

We were very happy to be back home and ready for a nap. 

Dinner with Friends

A friend of Dad's works at Harvard. We took the subway there to see them and have dinner.

After dinner we walked around Harvard Yard and went to see hoof prints to show the way that William Dawes took on his midnight ride to Lexington to warn about the British. 

Boston Public Garden

We took a walk back to the Boston Common area to then go to the Boston Public Garden. Along the way we both enjoyed seeing this Grocery Store. 

Make Way For Ducklings

Freedom Trail

Mom woke up determined to find where to go to start the walking tour for the Freedom Trail.

Visitor Center

This statue says learning which we did a lot of during this trip. Look at the symbols of power. 

Here is our period guide "Prudence" 

New State House

We also learned that Tremont Street was named because at one time the Commons had 3 hills, but those were used to as fill to make the Boston bigger. The architect Charles Bullfinch did not have any real training to create such project. 

Lucien on the Freedom Trail

At the New State House we learned about John Hancock's home which once was next door, his influence as governor, the cod fish needed to pass laws and how the dome has changed colors. 

Link

Link

Prudence shares with us information about many Founders and their families found here at the Granary Burying Ground.   

Here's another link with information.

Taxation without representation is tyranny. -James Otis

John Hancock is apparently missing his hand. 

We were pointed to a grave near his which was John Hancock's slave. This was a big deal because only whites were buried here.  

Really enjoyed hearing an engaging story of the Real Ride of Paul Revere instead of the inaccurate one presented the poem. 

Kings Chapel and Burying Ground

Old South Meeting House was were gatherings, meetings and speeches happened. I could almost imagine seeing this while looking at the building.

We passed the Boston Massacre spot which is where we we stood after getting off our first subway ride.

Old State House

The Deceleration of Independence is read from the balcony every year on the 4th! It is 300 years old and the subway comes up under it! We enjoyed looking at the lion and unicorn. 

The end of our Tour we learned about Faneuil Hall which was built as a market place and hall. It is still used as that today. 

We had to take a picture with Prudence. 

Lucien did a great job on this walking tour. He was right in the front of the pack enjoying our tour guide. 

USS Constitution

When Dad got back from work we decided to visit the USS Constitution .

This is where they would sleep

The Officers Quarters and Dining

The cannons and cannon balls are Lucien's favorite.

These could fire half a mile away.

The stove and kitchen area for cooking. 

Up on deck.

We took the ferry back then had burgers.

Walking in Boston Day 2

With plans to do the Freedom Trail Walking tour we set out to a subway. 

We walked and enjoyed a donut and breakfast sandwich at Duncan Donuts then began to walk in circles. At one point we ended up in Chinatown!

At this point we knew we were close, but the tours were over for the day, so we just snapped pictures. 

Here is a statue of Benjamin Franklin at the site of the First Public School. 

We ended up back by our hotel and decided to stop off at Faneuil Hall to take a look around inside. The guided shared information about the portraits and statues as well as sharing how this building was used in the past and present.