Day Six: Falling Into a Freedom Trail

We began day six on the "T" headed for the Boston Common and the start of the Freedom Trail. It was a Saturday morning and the subway was essentially empty. In an attempt to save money we stayed outside of Boston at a very nice hotel that was only a 10 minute drive to the Alewife station, where we were able to park for just $5.00 a day. I was nervous about not staying close enough that we could walk to our hotel, but it worked out extremely well and saved us close to $300.00.

The Boston Common is the oldest city park in the United States. In the early 1600's families used to graze their cows there, and it was used as a camp for British soldiers before the Revolutionary War.

When we arrived at the Boston Common we discovered that there was a huge anti-war demonstration going on. Although it is hard to see, this picture is of a group of the protesters, 3 dressed as soldiers and one dressed like George W. Bush - he even has the W. mask. Bryan ran to get in front of him to get a better picture while I went to scout out a map, but they were movin out. Otherwise the park was filled with happy people having picnics and meditating. Seriously. Meditating. I should have gotten a picture of them.

I have been to Boston one other time, but I do not remember the Freedom Trail being as long as it is. This is stop number one, with a life-size "you are here" marker.

This is the Massachusetts State House. You can go in and take tours I think, but we did not know that until later in the day.

Much like Salem, Boston is filled with very old cemeteries - only in Boston they contain the graves of people who were not hanged for witchcraft! This one, the Granary Burial Ground, has some of the more famous Bostonians.

Paul Revere

John Hancock

Robert Treat Paine

Samuel Adams

The victims of the Boston Massacre

And most importantly, Mother Goose.

The Kings Chapel has a box pew where George Washington sat for at least one service. It is the one with the books.

This is as close as Bryan and I have been to church together.

I thought this was pretty.

The Old City Hall was next on the trail -

I waited a long time to take my picture on the donkey in the courtyard, and then it turned out like this:

Bryan's turned out much better

I like that the roads are curved - it is like most of the buildings are old enough that the streets had to be cut in between them.

I think that these pictures were taken at the Old South Meeting House. The actual tea from the Boston Tea Party is pretty awesome.

After all that learning I needed a little play time. It was like recess at the Old South Meeting House.

The Quincy Market was just as full of people as I remember it being. The kid on the tubs was pretty impressive.

This guy got his entire body through a tennis racket. He is double jointed in nearly every joint.

More curved streets. You have to love it.

This is Beacon Hill - my favorite part of Boston.

We went to the Cheers Bar for dinner. I know it is typical tourist, but we wanted the souvenir glasses.

From there we went to our hotel. Exhausted. The hotel was very nice and I kind of wanted to take the bed home with me. At least I wanted to take the pillows.