Kualapu'u East Coast Trip: Day 2 Boston. Hiking, Ducks, and the Infamous Squirrels!

Welcome to day 2 of our journey! We got in fairly early last night, 8:00 so everybody got decent sleep after traveling for two days straight going non-stop. Woke up to a slightly drizzly Spring day. That wasn't going to stop us! We didn't fly 5,000 miles to hide inside. We got right at it and started our day on the Freedom Trail. If you notice all of the kids are standing on red bricks all in a line. That is the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile walking route that connects the major places of the Revolution. It starts in Boston Common and ends at the Bunker Hill Monument.

We started our day near the Bunker Hill Monument. I started the day making claims that today we'd be doing leisurely strolls. I forgot we'd start the day at Bunker Hill and instead of a leisurely walk, we did a 295 step hike to the top of the Monument! Ha Ha Ha! The walk to the top is a very narrow stairwell that is circular. Many legs were hurtin' for certain when we got to the top. Many kids said they didn't realize how high the monument was going to be. They had seen pictures from previous trips but the pictures didn't do the monument justice. It was work!

Keith and Jason at the top top of Bunker Hill!

Even though it is a tough hike, it is rewarding and gives everybody a nice view of the city. Even better when it isn't raining, but we don't know about that. Above you can see, if you look closely, Old North Church to the far left, The Boston Garden where the Celtics and Bruins play in the middle, and far in the back the golden dome of the State House.

After the hike we went inside the museum to check out displays and a cool reenactment of the battle. Fun fact about the battle of Bunker Hill. It was actually fought on Breeds Hill! Even though the colonists lost the battle, the British lost more and eventually left the city of Boston, even with the "win".

We then got to see the oldest commisioned ship in the US Navy, Old Ironsides. Also knows as the USS Constitution. It is in dry dock right now because when a ship is 220 years old and still works, it needs to be taken care of. This ship has fought the British, Pirates, and now welcomes students to see it. The famous Paul Revere, who seemed to have a hand in everything, also helped by forging the ships copper.

On to the Duck Tour! Always a fun time. The Duck drives around the city with a character telling us all sorts of facts and highlights of the city as we drive around. It then turns into a boat and we boat around the Charles River. Great time as each child gets a chance to drive the Duck in the river. Luckily for us, we didn't end up like the Titanic......

After the duck it was time to get our learn on. Off to Harvard we went! Here we are standing with the famous statue of John Harvard in Harvard Yard. This is also known as the statue of three lies. Them being it says Harvard was founded in 1638 but it was really 1636. The second lie being John Harvard being the founder of Harvard. This isn't true either and he didn't even attend Harvard! The final lie being the statue isn't even of John Harvard! The lost all portraits of him in a fire and found somebody they thought may be a relative of his and used him as the model! You see some people touching his foot. His foot is a different color than the rest of the statue due to people rubbing his foot for good luck! Looks like we have some lucky kids!

Driving to the Public Garden

After getting smarter by being at Harvard it was time to go squirrel hunting in the Public Garden! Loaded with bagel ammo the kids were ready! Below are many attempts of feeding the wildlife in the park from ducks, geese, to the infamous squirrel. We had some successful kids and some even got to pet one! So far no rabies.....

With the Make Way for Ducklings statues based off of the famous children's book.

Squirrel Huntin'

Statue of George Washington in the garden with the city skyline behind us.

Happiest of birthdays to our own Miliopuna! She got to start her birthday in the city of Boston and end it in New York City! Pretty neat and Happy Birthday Miliopuna!!!!!

Kaolino had no problem feeding this duck......

We then headed over to a very fancy neighborhood, Beacon Hill. Secretary of State and Presidential candidate John Kerry lives here. Also, the author of Little Women, Louisa May Alcott lived here and was able to afford it from the book, Little Women. Was great to hear some of our kids say they were reading it in class now! We drove by the house she wrote it in the day before on our way to Concord. Along with these houses we went down and up the famous cobble stone street, Acorn Street. Amazing to think that people still live in these old houses and they cost a pretty penny. I'm sure they loved us running down and up their little street!

Sonni on the steps of Louisa May Alcott's home.

Final meal at Cosi's in Boston. We said goodbye to our tour guide, Ted. Ted was a great guy and I think we were really lucky to have him. Cosi's is a sandwich place. Not bad. Since it was Mili's birthday, she got a special dessert platter to end our trip in Boston.

I love coming to Boston. It is a beautiful city with many old, brick buildings from the Revolution to modern sky scrappers. If you've never been, I highly encourage you to someday visit this city. It is a easy city to walk around and see so many things. See you again in two years Boston! Go Red Sox!