Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Boston!!

We originally started this blog as a means to keep in touch with our families - all of whom live thousands of miles away. We wanted them to have a way to see pictures of our travels and adventures, without having to send out mass emails every week. Of course, we love it when friends check our blog, but I am going to apologize in advance for the number of pictures I am going to put up. The family wants to see all the Boston photos (impossible, really) so I am going to put up a fair number of pictures, trying to represent the million things we saw.

We had a fabulous time in Boston! Thanks to the Memmotts for putting up with us, and allowing us to crash on their futon. We did a ton of stuff down there, and of course, took hundreds of pictures. We bought what are called "Go Cards" - which means we had this huge list of things that we could possibly do, and we had 3 days to do as much as we could fit in. I am proud to say we got our money's worth - but man, it was crazy!

This is the yacht owned by the dude who owns the Boston Red Sox. Yep, it's huge. It stays anchored in Boston Harbor when the BoSox are in season, then they spend the off season down in Florida. Rough life, huh?

We went whale watching and it was so cool! I know the picture doesn't really do the whale justice, 'cause it was so neat to see them in person!

Trinity Church - wow, it was beautiful! The attention to detail and the carvings were fantastic. I like our church but this was a sight to see!

The USS Constituition - aka "Old Ironsides". She is the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world. She's pretty big - we took a guided tour inside of her, and it was neat. The bottom picture is Cory and I at the museum, trying to decide if we would have made good sailors or not.

The Massachusetts State House Building - that's 23k gold on the dome. Cha-ching! It's used as the state capitol building.

The Boston temple - so pretty!! Inside and out. I love doing temple sessions when we are visiting places (even though I got lost trying to find my way out, and a very nice temple worker had to show me the exit :)

We took a day and drove out to Concord and Lexington - the sights where the first battles of the Revolutionary War took place. This is the North Bridge - the sight where the 'shot heard round the world' was fired.

Cory is standing at the very place where Paul Revere was captured on his midnight ride. I'm standing on 'battle road' where some of the heaviest fighting took place.

While out in Concord, we went down to Walden Pond, made famous by the book Walden, written by Henry David Thoreau. The above picture is where his cabin stood and the middle picture is a replica of his home, along with his statue. The bottom picture is Walden Pond - it was really pretty there. I don't think the picture does it justice.

Going sailing on a chartered ship. We got to help raise the sails and everything. It was rather peaceful, sailing around the Boston Harbor.

Of course, what trip to Boston is complete without doing the Freedom Trail? This is a statue of Paul Revere, and in the background (if you look close, you can click on the picture to make it bigger) you can see the Old North Church, where the lanterns were hung to warn the colonial people that the British troops were marching (one if by land, two if by sea).

Paul Revere's house

The Old State House - one of the oldest buildings in Boston. Right in front is where the Boston Massacre took place. This building was standing at that time.

Standing in front of the Old State House - looking at the sight where the Boston Massacre took place - it looks a lot different today than it did back then :)

The Granary - burying grounds to a lot of famous people. We did a guided tour of the Freedom Trial and that's our guide next to the grave of Paul Revere.

Also buried there is Sam Adams and the 5 victims of the Boston Massacre.

Bunker Hill and the Monument placed there to honor those who defended the hill.

We walked the 297 steps to the top of the Monument at Bunker Hill. I know you're thinking "297 steps doesn't sound like very many" but believe me - it is! However, the view from the top was worth it - it was amazing!!

Apparently no trip to Boston is complete without a stop at Mike's Pastries, in the Little Italy part of Boston. I must say, they make a pretty mean cream puff.

And of course we had to stop at Harvard. We walked around the campus and soaked in the palpable intelligence in the air :) The building above is part of their law school - wow!



Aaaah, Fenway Park, home to the BoSox. We did a guided tour of the park and it was awesome! We even got to sit on top of the Green Monster.

Can you go to Boston and not go to Cheers? Cory even had the famous Boston baked beans when we ate there (though he says he's had better baked beans at a Mormon campout - go figure!)

Louisa May Alcott's house - the sight where Little Women was written.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions on what to go see. We did lots more stuff than what I put up here - like the Aquarium, the Science Center, a DUWK tour, the Isabella Gardner Museum (way cool!) and more. All in all, what a great trip!! I love American History, so seeing all the sights was really cool for me. To visit the birthplace of our nation was really neat, and to get to hear all the stories from that time period. I think one of my favorite things we did was the guided walking tour of the Freedom Trail. I learned so much just walking around and hearing the stories. Yep, as corny as it sounds, I'm glad to be an American!

9 comments:

Andrea said...

I can't beleive you did all of that! I felt like I was there again. I laughed at the picture of you and Cory sleeping on the hammocks. It was hilarious. I think you turned into a 3 day Bostonian. And isn't the T just about the coolest??

Michelle said...

HOLY COW! You did all that in 3 days? Are you ready for a break from vacation? That was a whirlwind trip, but so fun! I am glad that you 2 had such a good time, it is so nice to just stop and reconnect sometimes.

MiriamR said...

You guys are amazing. Now I really want to go to Boston. You saw so many places where great literature was born too. I am so jealous.

Lincoln and Alisia said...

I love all these pics! Looks like you guys had so much fun!

Scott and Becky said...

Enjoyed the pictures! Looks like alot of fun. I finally finished Breaking Dawn! It took me forever! I guess I was getting bored with her writing and describing every possible way for things to turn out! Sorry to say I am glad there is not a book 5 in this series. I heard that she is not going to finish the first twilight book from Edward's point of view. I'm not sure I would read it if she did. Have a great day. Love Becky

The Carpenters said...

Wow, you guys really did a lot. I was really sad we didn't get together, but I'm glad you had a great time! We just went to Bunker Hill last week and Samantha climbed to the top of Bunker Hill Monument and back down and would not let us help her. We were impressed - my thighs were definitely burning by the time we reached the top. I love the pictures!

Irene said...

I have to say that I wish I had just gotten back from Boston. I would love to visit there one day, but by the time I get there I will be old and grey. I love the pictures and I hope all is going well. (looks like it is)

Melvin and Carly said...

Gasp! Blasphemy in your comments! Just kidding. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if I don't agree and would buy "Midnight Sun" RIGHT NOW if I could. Like the button, by the way.

Loved the pictures! I went to Boston with my high school English and History class for almost a week. We saw a lot of the same places. I love the Boston area - there's so much for a history major to love! I must say though, that my 16-year-old self got tired of that red brick path after several days of following it in the rain.

We were there over Easter Sunday and attended the service in Trinity Church. Beautiful, like you said. I was a little disgruntled though because it was also General Conference Sunday and I really wanted to be watching that instead!

Kirsten said...

So jealous! I've wanted to go to Boston forever. I keep telling Mark...maybe we'll make it there someday!