Following the Freedom Trail in Boston

After our extremely long drive last night from New York City we awoke up in Saugus, Massachusetts. Ate a quick breakfast at the hotel and drove down into Boston. Got right off at the Boston Commons, met our guide Mark and off we went on the Freedom Trail. 

The squirrels in Boston are always a gigantic hit. Borderline comical at times. As soon as we were ready to get going, a sea of squirrels was around us so the kids got excited and watched them for awhile before we got started touring. 

 Learning from our guide, Mark, about the Commons. 

 The Statehouse of Massachusetts. The dome is made of gold. But......the gold is like foil, extremely skinny.

 Commemorating the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. The first black regiment in the Civil War led by Bostonian, Robert Gould Shaw. 

 We continued on the Freedom Trail to the Old Granary Burial Ground. Many famous founders are buried here. Below you can see the victims of the Boston Massacre, Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock. We also learned that at any time you are walking around here you are stepping on bodies as there are way more bodies than graves and they did a horrible job of recording where they placed everybody!

 Paul Revere

 John Hancock

 The Customs House. This is where the Boston Massacre happened. 

 Statue for Sam Adams. A rebel leader and member of the Sons of Liberty. 

 Old North Church where two lanterns were hung to alarm the people that the British soldiers were coming by sea. 

 Guess the sermon was booooooooooring....

 Ha ha ha

 The talk at Old North Church

 Couldn't get our classic kids with Paul Revere statue as the whole plaza is blocked off but could get this pic of the statue with Old North Church in the background.

 Paul Revere's house. The oldest house in the city of Boston.

 Quick little stop on our tour to get some pastries in the North End. The North End is an Italian neighborhood. Walking around here was tough on the stomach. All the food smelt so good and we were sorta on our way to lunch. Wanted to eat really badly after walking around this neighborhood.

Lunch for a handful of people was clam chowder and a hot, buttered lobster roll. Super good. 

We then drove out the way Paul Revere rode his horse. Unlike Paul, we weren't alerting the neighbors that soldiers were on the way. 

Here is Lexington Green where the militia was waiting for the British soldiers. Here, the first shots of the Revolution were fired. 

 Kids lined up were the militia was lined up. Looks like we have a redcoat on the far left. 

 Minuteman Statue in Lexington

 We then completed the ride to Concord. Something Paul couldn't do because on the night of the ride, he was stopped by soldiers and held for a period of time that night before he escaped.

Hyperlapse to Old North Bridge

 Our redcoat with the grave of his fellow redcoats at Concord. 

 Group shot on Old North Bridge. 

 Walking around where the Revolution started in Concord was so peaceful. Nice weather and the sounds of animals was nice. Great place.

 Dadelions

We then drove back into Boston and said goodbye to our day guide today, Mark. He was a good guy who knew a ton about the area. He related well with the kids. Thanks, Mark!

Now it was dinner time. Tonight, we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. Loud music, burgers, chicken mac n cheese, and chicken fingers. Kid food heaven!

 As the sun came down it was time for us to head back to the hotel. We have one final day of touring tomorrow before flying back home. Off to Salem in the morning to learn about the famous witch trials and what happened!