We took a field trip to celebrate Columbus Day on Monday. We had not taken the kids to do the Freedom Trail since they were little and {gasp} they didn't remember it.
We have always started on the Boston Common end of the Freedom Trail and never made it to the end...which is the Navy Ship Yard and the USS Constitution. A little research revealed that The National Park Service had a parking garage near the Ship Yard.
I'm so glad we started on that end! It was fun to see a different part of Boston and to also see Charlestown.
My parents have a painting of the USS Constitution and I only recently realized that it was THAT ship that was moored right here in Boston. Here are the kids in front of "Old Ironsides."
This friendly sailor was fresh out of boot camp and delighted to have scored a Boston gig.
The kids were pretty impressed with the cannon balls (lower right corner).
Quite an impressive battleship.
No idea what this was but had some eager posers. ha.
There was also another ship, the USS Cassin Young, that we were able to board and explore.
Chloe was impressed with the size of this mixer!
Nice view of the Old North Church from the ship.
This one is for you, Dad! {Private joke}
We then visited the Museum at the Navy Yard but didn't have time to do it justice. At all. But we had things to see and so we pressed on.
We hiked into Charlestown (still following the Freedom Trail red bricks the marked the it out for us) to see the Bunker Hill Monument.
There are 294 steps to the top of the monument where you can get a breathtaking view of the city. There is a notice at the entrance that people with heart conditions should not attempt it. Kate and SaraGrace wanted to try but didn't make it very far, so Molly took the rest of the kids to the top and I waited for them at the bottom with my heart babies. (I was secretly happy to have an excuse not to make the climb - haha).
Molly thought it was cool to find out that the battle of Bunker Hill took place on her birth date.
Clearly, I have been missing out on the stunning views in Charlestown. So incredibly pretty there.
Then it was time to head back into Boston because we were all starving and we needed to work on our Junior Ranger books. I kept thinking Quincy Market was 'just around the corner,' but alas.... it was around many, many corners. The kids were troupers for the most part.
Katie started to struggle so the bigger kids took turns giving her rides. Jordan made an attempt and they both almost fell over. Rather comical...but so sweet of him to want to help her.
"Seriously, Mom, you're killin' us here."
Finally found some overpriced ham and cheese sandwiches and sat by the fountains to snarf them while finishing up our Junior Ranger books. By this time, our feet were throbbing but the show must go on.
Some guy offered to take a picture of all of us.
Ben Franklin offered us a photo op and then wanted $2 for the privilege.
Sworn in as Junior Rangers for their Boston badge. This guy took his job very seriously and tried to quiz the kids on some of the material in the book. They were mortified and most of them just stood there wordlessly.
Acrobats in front of Quincy Market. There were other performers in front of Fanieul Hall which enthralled the kids. Only the lure of the gift shop at the Navy Yard could tear them away.
We couldn't leave the area without making a quick dash to the Old State House. It is being refurbished so one whole side is covered with scaffolding.
I thought it was important for them to see the spot where the Declaration of Independence was read to the people of Boston. (Above door, being repaired, and I think there is usually a balcony railing there.)
Beautiful staircase inside.
Next trek was back to the Ship Yard and we made a brief stop at the Old North Church so they could see where Paul Revere and William Dawes awaited the lantern signal.
Last stop of the day was the Museum Store where the kids bought some souvenirs. The kids were sure that we walked a million miles due to our aching feet but all agreed that it was a very fun day!
