We've made it to Boston and if you like history this is the place to be. Boston's first public market, Faneuil Hall adjacent to the site where Quincy market now stands was built in 1792.....and that's where we ate this evening! You will find food of every kind. Boston creme puffs, Chinese, Mexican, hot dogs, pizza, clam chowder...you name it!
I think we will be back there tomorrow to sample yet some more wonderful foods.
Today we toured the USS Constitution "Old Ironsides" it is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world. It was first launched at a shipyard in Boston's north end in 1797. They are doing some work on the sails of the ship and had those down for now.
Inside you can see the guns used so long ago. The sound would have been deafening to those on board. It was told that little boys of 8 years old and older were used as "Powder Monkeys" on board. They would run up and down the stairwells gathering powder and 35 pound balls for ammo. Food on board consisted of fish or beef stew with hard biscuits. Water was limited to 1/2 gallon to 1 gallon per person a day. They would also be given an allotment of rum each day. With the water they could drink it or bathe. For the most part they just drank it.
Below was the place where the crew slept. Only half of the crew would sleep for 4 hours at a time. There would be from 220 to 250 at once sleeping side by side in the swinging hammocks.
Next we visited the Boston Commons a central public park with about 50 acres. Dates from 1634 and is the oldest city park in the USA.
The Central Burying Grounds is located on the Boston Commons. There you will see graves of British Common Soldiers who died in combat or of disease during the revolution. Foreigners and American patriots from the Battle of Bunkers Hill and the Boston Tea Party are also buried there. In the wall of this hill above the metal doors are names of people as well as many tombstones on the hill.
Statues are scattered throughout the park. This one is of a man working.
A very large fountain found in the Boston Commons. People sit and read or just watch as people go by.
Just at the top of the hill of the Boston Commons is the Shaw Memorial. Made by Augustus Saint Gaudens and placed there on May 31st, 1897. It shows Colonel Shaw riding his horse in uniform with his soldiers carrying rifles, packs, and canteens and led by young drummer boys. Above them is an angel holding an olive branch, symbolizing peace and poppies symbolizing death. The expression on the soldiers is one of solidarity.
Across from the Boston Commons....The Massachusetts State House built in 1798. It sits on top of Beacon Hill. The land was once owned by John Hancock. The original wood dome leaked and was covered with copper in 1802 by Paul Revere's company.
Now for some of Boston's finest!
Tomorrow we'll head back into old downtown Boston for a bit more sightseeing and some of that wonderful food.
I must say I'm missing all of my family back home and look forward to returning home on Saturday. Until then.....
Happy Trails.....Ginger
