Day 26: The Freedom Trail

 Today was less than ideal.  I had grand plans, but this should have been my first clue.  Joey is having a tough time.  He's ready to just be able to play, and today he was really feeling it.  The goal today was to do the Freedom Trail,  the Boston State House, the Make Way for Ducklings Statue, and the Swan Boat.  We just made the Freedom Trail.  We decided to go with a guide.  Typically, we have found that having a guide for things such as historic buildings is far more engaging for the kids and we all learn much more.  Although today's guide was great, we may have been better off going on our own for this because it would have been quicker.




 Paul Revere's grave in the Granary burial site.  Apparently in several decades ago the groundsmen decided it would be easier to mow the lawn if the headstones were in rows.  So, they rearranged the headstones, but not the bodies.  There are over 4,000 people buried in this graveyard, but most don't match up with their headstones anymore.  I think they know that this was Paul Revere's though.


 Right about when I was taking this picture, a bird pooped on my head.  Good times.  Joey's face is exactly how he was feeling.  The goal was to tour Paul Revere's house, but the first time we walked by the line was too long, so we skipped it and went on to the Old North Church.  This was the third time we have grossly underestimated the timing of what we are doing, leaving our kids basically without lunch.  Chris found a CVS and bought a giant bag of popcorn to hold them off till we got back to the car (close to five),
 We took a tour of the Old North Church.  This is the site where lanterns were hung "two if by sea," on the famed night when Paul Revere (amongst others) made their rides to warn of the regulars coming.
 Walking up the stairs and learning about the bells and bell tower was fascinating.  It's hard to imagine that Paul Revere walked these same steps!


 And then to the crypt!
 The kids are sitting inside a family box (pew).  Each family would have their own, and could decorate and furnish it!  I think if you paid more you could get a box closer up.  This actually might have been a nice way to contain kids!  You also could hardly see them when they were in the box, so they'd be less distracting!







 Back to Paul Revere's house for a tour.



 Faneuil Hall and the Old State House
 Site of the Boston "Massacre"
 Look Austin! Unfortunately, it was closed :(
 Ice cream redemption of the day.
 When we got back, we celebrated Uncle Jay's birthday with a watermelon roll from Friendly's, yum!

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