Boston
Waterboat Marina Mooring
Today
we took our bikes ashore so we could see more of the Boston area. Our first
stop was the USS Constitution at the Naval Shipyard in Georgetown. The USS Constitution was launched into the Boston Harbor on Oct. 21, 1797 and is the
oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. The Constitution is one of six
ships ordered for construction by George Washington to protect America's
growing maritime interests. The ship's greatest glory came during the war of
1812 when she defeated four British frigates, which earned her the nickname
"Old Ironsides," because cannon balls bounced off her thick hull. Her
main mission today is to promote education and public outreach, and serve as
the America's Ship of State. She has a permanent crew of 73 active duty U.S.
Navy Sailors.
After
touring the ship and visiting the Shipyard museum we had lunch at the Warren
Tavern. It was one of the first buildings to be built in 1780 after the British
sacked Charlestown. They claim it is the oldest tavern in Massachusetts,
visited by George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere. Our food was
good and it was fun to eat at a famous old place.
Our
next stop took all the energy we had...294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument. The Monument stands 221 feet tall at Breed's Hill, the site of the
first major battle of the American Revolution fought on June 17, 1775. The
colonists lost the battle, but their bravery and strong showing against the
British encouraged them to fight on.
The
rest of our day was a little more relaxed. We rode through the park along the Charles
River and then to the Boston Public Garden.
We sat and watched people and the famous Swan Boats. The same family has
operated the Swan Boats since 1877. The boats are still pedal-powdered in a
lazy figure eight on the lagoon while passengers and onlookers sit lazily
drinking it in, just as they did decades ago…it was very relaxing. Our last
burst of energy was spent wandering around Beacon Hill, a neighborhood known
for its Federal-style rowhouses and narrow, gaslit streets and brick sidewalks.
Today, it is regarded as one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods
in Boston.
The USS Constitution
Our tour guide on the USS Constitution, she is part of the active crew.The Warren Tavern
Bunker Hill Monument is 221' high and was completed in 1843
The Museum of Science and the old lock on the Charles River
The Longfellow Bridge looking towards Cambridge. The bridge was built in 1906, also known as the "Salt & Pepper Bridge" because of the shape of the central towers.
Swan boats in the lagoon in Boston Public Garden...lots of ducks and a pair of swans were also in the lagoon.
Homes and building in the Beacon Hill neighborhood
Hi Susie, have been reading couple of your blogs in Hawaii, CA and East Coast! Love them! I have some thoughts/ideas to share with you further, a little bit long, but cannot find your email address here. Do you mind to email me back? So I don't have to write a super long comments here?
ReplyDeleteWilla J