Fourth of July 2012

Since we are in Connecticut, and all we have heard about since we moved here was Boston's Harborfest, we decided to head up to Boston for the 4th of July. And we weren't disappointed! We left our house at 8 am July 3rd, and did the Boston Freedom Trial all afternoon. "In the 1950’s concerned Bostonians were determined to preserve the story of the American Revolution as it began in Boston through preservation of 16 historically significant sites. These 16 sites are located along a unique 2.5 mile urban walking Trail marked with a red brick line." Some of the sights take you to where the Boston Tea Party started, the site of the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere's house, and the USS Constitution which is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. For someone majoring in History, I was in heaven!!To read more about it, you can visit their web site at TheFreedomTrail.org. We finish the trail just in time for dinner and swimming in the pool at our hotel before bed time. On the 4th, we met up with the Nielson's and visited the New England Aquarium. It was beautiful and amazing. The 3D IMAX show, "Under the Sea," playing at the aquarium was just as fascinating. For the fireworks, we jumped on a boat to go whale watching, and we saw three humpback whales! Paxon, Ryan, and Jaden were going crazy; but me, Devon, Amanda, Michelle, and Gifford might have been going crazier! On the boat ride back into the harbor we got to watch the fireworks; which also did not disappoint. We got back to the minivan at 10:30 pm and arrived back at home just after 1:00am. Our first visit to Boston was a hit! Now...how do I narrow down 84 pictures...

Old North Church

Old North opened its doors for service on December 29, 1723 and played an important role in the American Revolution by hanging lanterns in the top of the eight story church to signal if the British were attacking by land or by boat-that practice was immortalized by the now famous phrase One if by land, two if by sea.

 Me in front of Paul Revere's home.

 Quincy Market

This place is awesome! It is the center of an outdoor fashion plaza, and is a new twist on a food court. When you step inside there is one aisle with food joints up and down both sides; but not a single one belongs to an America food chain. There was Greek food, Russian food, Thai, etc. It was complete chaos and completely awesome! I had a gyro :)

 Devon participating in a street magic show outside of Quincy market.

 The Old State House/Site of the Boston Massacre 

Think back to America when it was known as the original 13 colonies. Of all the buildings constructed during these first years that America was being established, this is the oldest building still standing. The Old State house is 300 years old and is "the oldest and one of the most beautiful and important public buildings still standing from the original 13 colonies." It is also the site of the Boston Massacre with a memorial plaque built into the ground to honor this great national tragedy that occurred during the Stamp Act riots. 

 City Hall during the 1700's; which is also the site of America's very first public school.

 Devon and the kids in front of a Benjamin Franklin statue.

 USS Constitution 

As I said above, it is the oldest warship in the world still afloat. Back in her hay day, she was quite the magnificent ship (still is in my opinion). During the War of 1812, she became known as Old Ironsides.

 Paxon and Ryan with some of Old Ironsides' cannons.

 Our family steering the ship. Can you believe how big the steering wheel is?!

 Right before the New England Aquarium's 3D IMAX show, "Under the Sea."

Grandma Shell (Michelle) was nice enough to take a picture of all of us on the boat as we were headed out to sea for some whale watching. On the bench front to back: Gifford, Jaden, Devon, Paxon, Me, Ryan, Amanda, and Bentley.

 Boston Harbor.

 These whales were fast, and I was slow. I didn't get any great pictures of the whales. This one of the Humpback's fin as it dove into the deep was the best I got.

 And what's a post of the 4th without some firework shots?