It took most of the day to get to Boston from Hershey, the highlight, of course, was driving through New York City. The cityscape perched in the hazy distance, causing me to get a little giddy. “Look there’s the Statue of Liberty…and it’s the Empire State Building!”
We were all in awe, so much so, that Kurt took a wrong turn.
Woops!
It didn’t take too long to untangle the confusing maze of roads coupled with several construction sites along the way. Soon we were back on track, and paying fourteen dollars to cross the George Washington Bridge.
Seriously New York? Fourteen dollars to cross a bridge? That gives highway robbery a whole new meaning!
Exhausted by the time we made it to our rental home in Roslindale, south of Boston, we decided to take it easy and start fresh, early the next morning. We had made the decision to drive into the city, a decision most experts would warn against.
Perhaps all the planets and stars were aligned just right that cool July morning because we made it just fine. My navigation skills were top notch!
The car all safe and sound in the Boston Common Garage, located under the Boston Commons, a fabulous park in the center of downtown, we headed for the Freedom Trail.
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile path that winds through downtown Boston, marking sixteen significant sites that played an important role in the history of the United States. Noted as one of America’s first walking tours, it has attracted visitors since its inception in 1951. It is estimated that more than four million people explore this piece of history each year.
There is so much to see on the Freedom Trail, much more than the noted sixteen sites. Five of our favorites were:
- A street musician and his loyal dachshund. He was an unapologetic liberal, and I definitely appreciated his candor!
- The churches. There were so many churches, all very different. Some were ornate, some were fairly minimal. My favorite was a Catholic Church located in Little Italy. Inside every corner, nook and cranny were statues of saints, surrounding them were prayer candles. For a donation, visitors could light a candle by their favorite saint, with a petition in mind. Sabrina lit a candle by Saint Anthony.
- The street shows at Faneuil Hall. Part of the attraction of Faneuil Hall, a meeting and marketplace since 1742, is the street shows. We especially enjoyed the Red Trouser Show. (Learn more about them on their website: http://www.theredtrousershow.com/) Huge crowds gathered to watch these amazing acrobats, who were also very good showmen.
- The cemeteries. Numerous historical figures were laid to rest in the city. Kurt found the grave of one of his favorite historical icons, the statesman Sam Adams, who, in his lifetime helped organize the Boston Tea Party, signed the Declaration of Independence, and served as Governor of Massachusetts.
- The green space. The parks were absolutely gorgeous, adorned with vibrant gardens, ponds and sculptures. Tall old trees lined these areas, providing needed shelter from the hot summer sun.
The Freedom Trail, abundant in beauty, history and culture, was definitely a highlight of our Boston stay. This was my fourth trip exploring the trail, and I enjoyed it as much as the first time because it is an attraction that is so vast that one is bound to continue to make new discoveries on each visit!
Shootin' The Breeze 