Boston: Dream Come True

New England is packed with history, and Boston serves up a healthy dose of it. My head is swimming. We're spending two nights in the area so we can devote a full, and I mean full day to a head-learning, site-seeing, information overload—WITH a HUGE reward! (Keep reading or scrolling. This is BIG!)

We checked into our AirBnB apartment late afternoon. That meant we had time in the evening to visit Bunker Hill after dark, and after rush-hour traffic. Easy getting there, but it was under renovation. So we decided to go downtown and drove by this neat brick building on the way. Downtown, the marina was amazing. So many lights. Beautiful boats. And lots of people. I love seeing people out-and-about at night. The Mystic Bridge lit up was beautiful in the background. 

Tourism is big in all the cities we've visited and Boston is no different. That means a plethora of tours available. Today we're half on our own and half touring. We start out on our own, exploring the Beacon Hill area of Boston. 

 We took the subway into Boston and grabbed coffee/breakfast at Capitol Coffee House. We walked by the Massachusetts State House (state capitol), and through the Beacon Hill neighborhood with its classic Federal architectural style. One of the homes we stopped by was the William Hickling Prescott House, twin townhouse named after nearly-blind historian who lived here in the mid-1800s. The brick sidewalks were historic and beautiful, but a little challenging with their many dips and uneven surfaces. 

Near the end of the Beacon Hill neighbor and across the street from the Public Garden is the bar “front” used for the TV Show Cheers. Like Bunker Hill, it is under renovation but the famous stairs were there. “Norm!”  In the Public Garden, the country’s very first public garden, we located the Make Way for Duckings statue, a tribute to children's book by the same name. Next to the Public Garden is Boston Common, which is the nation’s first public park, established in 1634. It was in Boston Garden where we joined a walking tour of the Freedom Trail. We also learned some disturbing information about Boston Common. Let’s just say Salem wasn’t the only place involved in witch hunts. 

The Freedom Trail tour was definitely a "tourist" experience. Our guide, Steve, was dressed in period costume. The walking tour took about 90 minutes as we passed several historical landmarks. A few highlights: Park Street Church, active church known for its historical and current roll in social justice and human rights. Near the church is the Park Street Station one of the nation’s first subway stations. Granary Burial Ground, resting place of Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and more. The Benjamin Franklin Statue at Boston Latin School. That is by Ruth Chris’ Strakhouse, which happens to be one of the businesses located inside The Old City Hall. The Old State House, State Court building in the 1700s, is now a museum. It has one unique on-going historical link. Each July 4th at 10AM, a historically-dressed figure emerges from the balcony and reads the Declaration of Independence. 

Faneuil Hall, site of several speeches prior to the revolution is now a modern-day marketplace. Papa and I broke off from the tour here and continued on our own. We had another BIG tour booked for the afternoon but wanted to see a couple North End spots prior to that. 

North End spots: The Paul Revere House, presumably occupied by Revere and family from 1770 to 1800. Equestrian statue of Paul Revere, and the Old North Church, built in 1723, oldest standing church in Boston made famous by the midnight ride of Paul Revere

We made our way back to the waterfront and found a relaxing spot to rest our legs. An incredible day being in the lap of history. Yet the most remarkable part of the day was just ahead.

For years I've had a personal goal, which I think I shared here at least once on this trip. I want to glide on the ocean water in a sailboat. A tall ship with giant sails. I want to touch the sails, walk the deck, feel the breeze. Today, the dream becomes reality. Words cannot express the joy. Check out this 3-minute video of our sail on the Liberty Star!

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/fnhopYjOAjg?feature=shared