Day 9

We made breakfast, loaded the car, and headed to Boston.  Our goal today was to walk the Freedom Trail.  First we walked through Boston Commons, America's oldest park. 

Massachusetts State House

 Next was the Park Street Church.  This site is known as the "Brimstone Corner" probably because... The church once housed brimstone in its basement during the War of 1812.  Or maybe it’s because old-school ministers delivered many "hell-fire and brimstone" sermons here.  "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee) was first sung here on July 4, 1831 on the exact steps we are on.

Next was the Granary Burying Ground.  Some of America's most notable citizens rest here.

Mother Goose

Paul Revere

John Hancock

The King's Chapel and Burying Ground was up next.  This was the first non-Puritan church in the colonies.  It became the first Unitarian Church in America, and houses the oldest American pulpit in continuous use.  One notable person we found in the burying grounds was William Dawes.

Benjamin Franklin Statue/ Boston Latin School Site

America's first public school offered instruction to boys both rich and poor.  

 

This mosaic marks the spot where the school once stood.

 

 

Old Corner Bookstore

This was the location of the center of American book publishing in the 1800s.  The world was introduced to some amazing people from here---Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Mark Twain.

 

Old South Meeting House

December 16, 1773

The Original Boston Tea Party---It all started here.

Old State House

This was also the site of the Boston Massacre. 

We did go on a tour of the Old State House.

 

Lunch was up next--- Little Italy was our stop.

I guess this detour made us miss Faneuil Hall.. So our next stop was the Paul Revere House.

The front door

Old North Church

 

 

USS Constitution 

FINALLY... Bunker Hill is within sight.  We were hot, tired, and hungry so this is as close as it gets.  No one wanted to climb those stairs.  Now to trek back to a subway station.

Subways are fun to ride but I could not do this everyday!!!

We tried to do "something" in every state so in Rhode Island we drove by the capital building.

We kept driving, and driving, and driving.  Finally making it to Connecticut.  Our stop in this state was Louis Lunch.  It was very late, and everyone was tired, but we didn't care.  When you are this close to the birthplace of the hamburger sandwich... you stop.

Here are your choices- hamburger or cheeseburger (they use cheese whiz) with/out onions or tomatoes on toasted bread... chips/potato salad and pepsi products...  if you can't make this work, then this stop is not for you.  The kids really don't prefer burgers so we just split a couple of sandwiches.  Believe it or not, they actually liked them.

We had another great day exploring this amazing country, but we are beyond tired... tomorrow NYC!!

Day 8

Our first stop this morning was the Cape Cod Chip factory.  Of course no pictures were allowed in the factory..  It's a short, self guided tour.  You get to see exactly how they make the chips, up close and personal.

 At the end of the tour, you get a free bag of chips and it stops in the gift shop.  So after, some souvenirs were purchased, we were off to the next adventure.

Whale watching was not originally part of the plan, but after talking to some that live in the area they talked us into going.  We drove to Provincetown, which is about as far you can go before going into the Atlantic Ocean.

Of course Haylee has been telling Carson about the boat that sank in Australia after going whale watching.... so he's scared and really doesn't want to go.  Once we get on he is fine.

The trip is about an hour to two hours out.. we pass some light houses and even see a boat that looks like a pirate ship.

We finally arrive to the area.  At first... nothing.. and then finally you see water in the air.  The whale starts blowing water through the blow hole.

They move so fast, it's hard to get a good picture.

Excited faces

So after about an hour or so, started heading back.  The pictures don't really do the experience justice.  It was definitely worth doing.... so if you are ever in the area give it a try.

We stopped at the Cape Cod National Seashore so the kids could walk in the water.

I don't think they thought it would be that cold...

These are the three sister lighthouses. They got this name because from sea they looked like women in white dresses with black hats. 

By the time we were finished, it was dinner time.  We took the scenic route, and of course there was no place to stop and eat.  We called some of the seafood restaurants near the resort, and of course they all had over an hour wait.  So after some additional driving, everyone was starving.  Finally, a McDonald's ...it never looked so good.  We were finished eating before returning back to the resort for beach time and swimming. 

Hydrangeas were everywhere and so beautiful.... these were my favorite colors

We also had s'mores

Tomorrow we take on Boston..