Boston- November 28th and 29th and 30th

Saturday night we jumped 150 years ahead in history from the time of the Pilgrims straight into the American Revolution.  We walked along the Freedom Trail in Boston and saw government buildings, cemeteries, and meeting halls that played crucial roles in the creation of our country.

The Freedom Trail is identified  in Boston by red bricks and sometimes a painted red line.  Kristen kept us right on track following the red line all through the city.

These bricks mark the site of the Boston Massacre, one of the earliest skirmishes between British troops and the colonists.  Andy is trying to get us to participate in a re-enactment of some sort, basically an excuse to shoot his sister.  They have been getting along just fabulously. 

The Old State House was once the seat of British government in Boston.  After the delegates returned from Philadelphia they read the Declaration of Independence to a crowd.  After the reading the crowd rioted and threw the gold statues (symbols of the British monarchy) to the ground.  Fun to think of our forefathers as violent revolutionaries.

One if by land, two if by sea..

I am in love with the idea of 18th century "pew boxes."  This is the perfect way to take my kids to church.  The Old North Church is the home of a very active Episcopal congregation.  They are accustomed to scores of visitors in the summer and they seemed genuinely happy to have us worship with them on Sunday. 

Andy and David went to visit the Green Monster at Fenway Park and the girls and I found a cute neighborhood to do some shopping.

We dropped  Karlyne at the Boston airport and went to see the U.S.S. Constitution "Old Ironsides" docked in  Boston Harbor.   We arrived just in time to see them retire the flag.  You can see the smoke from  the cannon blast.  Now we understand why they do such an elaborate countdown.  It was shocking even with the ample warning.

We finished up our walk down the Freedom Trail with dinner at Faneuil Marketplace across from the historic Faneuil Hall, site of the Stamp Act riots.     

A quick side trip to Lexington and the Old North Bridge, the site of the "shot heard 'round the world." You can almost hear the British soldiers approaching. 

                                   

Alright, enough of the Revolutionary War history, at least for a few days.