“Don't fire til you see the whites of their eyes”

Today was a beautiful day for a walk through history. Although we didn't get to see a re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party, we did get to walk the entire Freedom Trail. It was a lovely warm day and perfect for a stroll through Boston. Wynn and I were both nervous about driving with the crazies and trying to find parking since we have a rocket box on top of our van. Then Wynn suggested that we try Uber and it was so quick downtown and way less nerve wracking! And it cost less that driving downtown and parking costs! Our driver let us off right in the Boston Commons by the Visitor. Center. And we started our way around. The first stop is actually the Boston Commons. This is America's oldest public park

I love how they have a red brick line directing you from spot to spot. I felt a little like Dorothy, following the yellow brick road.(except it was red…)

Stop #2 was the Massachusetts State House. The land was originally owned by John Hancock and the beautiful dome (originally of wood) was covered in copper by Paul Revere and Sons before being guided with 23 carat gold leaf. It was beautiful in today's sunshine.

Right around the corner were stops 3&4, The Park Street Church and Granary Burying Ground. The church was nicknamed the Brimstone Corner because of the fiery sermons and also the stored gunpowder in the basement. Boom! “My Country Tis of Thee was first sung on these steps. The cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent Americans…John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, Ben Franklin's parents and all 5 of the Boston Massacre.

1. 5 is the King's Church and burial ground. Many condemned criminals sat in these pews to hear their last sermon before being hung in the commons…eww!

So now we see the statue of Ben Franklin. One side of his face is philosophical and the other side is funny and smiling. He is standing in front of the first public school, which still operates in another location and by the way, they still require 4 years of Latin. In this courtyard there is also a little donkey that represented the Democrats. There were footsteps next to it that you could stand in if you were Republican…interesting tidbit.

93CA9BFD-7A03-4C78-9264-4801E91BA5E5

The Old Corner Bookstore, which now occupies the Chipotle Store, is stop number 7. So many American authors were carried in this store, like Harriet Beecher Stowe, Emerson, Longfellow and more.

The last two pics above were in tribute to the many Irish Immigrants who came here to pursue the American Dream The first statue shows how hopeful they were when disembarking and the second statue shows how despairing and stricken they became…moving to me.

Number 8 is the Old South Meeting House. It is the 2nd oldest church in Boston and was the site of over 5000 people protesting the tax on tea. Also the Old State House Museum (#9) is a the oldest standing public building. It is the site of the reading of the Declaration of Independence. They still read it here on the steps on July 4th.

1. 10 - There was a ring of cobblestones on the sidewalk that commemorates the fallen in the Boston Massacre. 5 men were killed in this clash.

Number 11 is Faneuil Hall which was a gift from a wealthy merchant to be used for public meetings and an open-air market.

Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church are numbers 12 and 13. Revere was an accomplished silversmith, copper manufacturer, bell maker, part time dentist and the father of 16 children. No pics could be taken inside his house. The Old North Church is the oldest church in Boston. It is from its steeple that the 2 lanterns hung that some say signaled the beginning of the Revolution.

1. 14 is Copps Burial Grounds. By this time, we are nearing the end and Wynn and I decided to keep walking by. It does house the tomb of Robert Newman, the lantern hanger for Paul Revere.

Stop 15 was about a half mile walk to the harbor. Old Ironsides, the USS Constitution is housed here and is still manned by the US Navy. We crossed a big bridge encounter and went by where the Celtics play.

E55E64AB-4848-4218-A31C-F2898FF83F23

Fnally Stop 16 is the Bunker Hill Monument. This commemorates one of the bloodiest battles and has the famous quote listed in today's title. 221 feet high…Massive. It was closed because of the dreaded Covid which gave me the perfect excuse not to climb it…

So an Uber ride back to the hotel only took about 15 minutes. We stayed at a LaQuinta in Somerville. We rested up a bit and grabbed something to eat and then headed to a rails to trails bike path called the Minuteman Bikeway. We rode a nice 18 mile trip and enjoyed every minute. I am loving my e-bike by the way! We saw some pretty foliage along the way too.

So a wonderful Day 5 together. We will miss small group tonight but pray that all goes well. Time for dinner!