Freedom Trail, Fenway, Food Trucks and Family v. 44

There is a red line embedded in the sidewalks of Boston. Thousands of people follow it every year to encounter places significant to the birth of our nation.  It is the Freedom Trail- with stops at the Massachusetts State House, the old State House, and the site of the Boston Massacre.  It includes the Granary Burying Ground, where John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Samuel Adams are buried.  It also has an obelisk with the name "Franklin"... Ben Franklin is not buried there, but his family is! Becca was interested in the oldest public school in the nation- Boston Latin- since she was told a graduate is nearly guaranteed to get into the most competitive colleges  You can pick up a self guided tour brochure at the visitor's center at Boston Common, or download an mp3 guide, but I am happy that we chose to go with a tour guide ($13 adults/$11 child).  There are 2 sections of the tour, and we later found out that my sister and her family did the portion with the Paul Revere house and the Old North Church on the same day we were at the Boston Common end!

At Paul Revere's headstone

We noticed that if you dress up as a Revolutionary War era patriot, you can walk anywhere in Boston- even ride the water taxi- armed with your musket!  We saw at least 50 enactors- and they are serious about their weapons- every one of them could be fired.

"Patriots" returning to Boston Common on the water taxi

This being so close to Danny and Lindsey's engagement, Becca was very interested in the "bachelorette" party that rode the water taxi with us.  As usual, making friends and asking questions.

Becca and the bride-to-be

The other most important tour we had to take was at the oldest baseball park still in use, the home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park.  

Becca and Bob atop the "Green Monster"

We have become real fans of food trucks.  What started as Becca insisting on food from the hot dog vendors in DC, has morphed into some of the best food we have eaten on the road.  In DC, New York, Boston, Baltimore; crab cake cone, filet mignon bites, gyros, and clam chowder; we are hooked!

We had one more great treat in Boston- My sister and her family were in Boston visiting their Carly at Brandeis the same weekend that we were there!  We got to take in a cold, wet and sloppy rugby game and visit over lunch- icing on the cake!

Becca and Carly

Jan and Patty

 Sorry Doug, Jon, and Bob- somehow I don't have any pictures of you...