My parents couldn't come all the way to New England and not check out Boston. Riley and I were less enthused because our past experiences in Boston have been chaotic, but in the end I'm so glad we went! It totally changed our minds. It's a beautiful city bustling with a lot of friendly and helpful people.
This time we started out right by parking outside the city and taking the subway downtown.
Between the four of us we pushed a pulled the two little ones around the entire city, but Riley bore the brunt of it. Our double stroller is a monster and much too large to take on the subway, up and down stairs, etc. Hinder had to tough it out most of the time and walk, but occasionally he hopped on the back of the stroller to give his legs a break.
Once we oriented ourselves at the start of the trail, it was a piece of cake. This awesome red line runs the entire length of the trail, so it's impossible to get lost. It's made for directionally-challenged people like myself!
We walked block after block taking in the cool sites and historic feel. I regret not brushing up on my Revolutionary history, I'm sure there are so many things we missed along the way.
Here's a few things we didn't miss:
State House
Boston Common and Park Street Church
Franklin family tomb at the Granary burial ground. Lots of famous historical people were buried here like the victims of the Boston Massacre and Paul Revere. So cool!
Here's the site of the first public school in the United States, the Boston Latin School! This is special to me. Free public education is a rare and wonderful thing that gets taken for granted.
A statue of the democratic party donkey. My mom is standing in opposition to this party. :)
We made it to the Quincy Market before the kids started really losing patience. Thank goodness for a little wading area that saved the day! Amazing how a little water changed everything. After cooling off, they were ready to keep going for a few more hours.
Paul Revere's house and the Italian district. What a beautiful place! I could have enjoyed this quiet quaint area for the rest of the day.
Paul Revere statue at the Old North Church.
We made it to the USS Constitution site and rested on a grassy hill. It was a hot humid day.
I can't believe this ship actually sailed in the War of 1812. How cool!
By this time, it was getting later into the afternoon, we were covered in sweat, and couldn't muster the motivation to walk to the Bunker Hill Monument. We snapped a picture from where we stood and called it good!
In the end, it was an awesome experience. I was so impressed with how well the kids did considering how long we walked about. It could have been a disaster with all the foot traffic and bustle, and skipping naps, but it worked out well.
Not until we got in the car did this little girl have a meltdown. It lasted the entire two hours home.
Poor thing. Poor us.
She desperately wanted me to put this McDonald's key chain shoe on her foot....which was impossible. She was so tired and irrational!
It kind of makes me laugh to think about it now.
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