Gloucester and Boston Massachusetts

We are staying at Hanscom AFB about 20 miles northwest of downtown Boston.  On our first day in the area we decided to take a day trip up to Gloucester to see the Fisherman's Memorial.

Man at the Wheel...no not me!

We were surprised at how many men lost their lives spanning centuries

 The crew of the Andrea Gale that got caught in the Perfect Storm

Beautiful bay

The transit system in Boston is wonderful.  We drove less than 15 minutes, parked the car,  and took the subway into downtown Boston.  Even us "never ride public transportation type people" were able to negotiate the system with ease. We never had to wait for a subway car. Actually we enjoyed "Charlie" !

To ride the subway, known as the "T",you need to get a Charlie Ticket ...What the hell is a Charlie Ticket ?  Where do you get one ? I didn't see any sign for a "Charlie Tickets Sold Here". Who the hell is Charlie ? Andy had to get the Charlie tickets for us since she knew all about Charlie and where to get a Charlie Ticket.  REALLY !!

I am not going to tell you about Charlie and the Boston Subway system.  You can goggle it and learn..lol

I highly recommend using the Charlie system !

Once we were in Boston we took a sightseeing trolley tour  It's a trolley tour that takes you though the historical parts of the city with a tour guide, (driver).   It is a great way to see all of the sights and learn the history.  You just hop on and off wherever you want. The tour is good for two days.

Massachusetts State House

 The USS Constitution known reverentially as"Old Ironsides," is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.  Launched October 21, 1797. She has a very thick hull incorporating Live Oak and has a battle record of 33-0. She had an armament 54 canons with a crew of 500.  Since she is still on active duty she has a crew of 50-80 sailors.

In a short battle during the War of 1812, USS Constitution defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere and earns the nickname "Old Ironsides,"

She has had many tours along the African coast and even sailed around the world.  In 1897, after spending an additional  forty years away, she is permanently returned to Boston.

USS Constitution

Now I'm the Man at the Wheel

One of her guns

How would you like to sleep in one of these ?

The craftsman ship in 1797

We walked from the Constitution up to see the Bunker Hill Monument.

Decided we were to old to climb to the top!

The battle at Bunker Hill

 Included with the Trolley Pass is the Boston Tea Party Tour and Reenactment. I highly recommend it to anyone going to Boston.  It was an interactive narration which gave us a lot of information on the history of not only the Tea Party but the events leading up to it and the Revolutionary War.

For those of us who are a bit rusty on our history. On the night of the Tea Party the participants put Mohawk feathers in their hair and darkened their faces.

Andy's is now a Mohawk Indian and about to commit treason

This is "Andy" dumping  tea into the harbor.  See what you started !!

We went over to check out the Old State House and what did we find underneath the building ? The entrance to the subway!

The Declaration of Independence was first read "in public" from this balcony

The fame of the "Old North Church" began on the evening of April 18, 1775, when the church sexton, Robert Newman, and Capt. John Pulling, Jr. climbed the steeple and held high two lanterns as a signal from Paul Revere that the British troops were leaving Boston to seize rebel stores of ammunition in Lexington and Concord. This event ignited the American Revolution.

The old North Church is Officially known as the Christ Church in the City of Boston.  It was built in 1723, and is the oldest standing church building in Boston

The parishioners had boxes which they worshiped from.and still do. You buy or rent a box and then you "were" able to decorate it how ever you wanted.

Tammy....Andy says this is your pew.  2nd row left side??

He must be a famous guy around here.  Statues and stuff everywhere with his name on it !

It's sometimes so hard to believe you are actually observing so much from American history.

Andy is a rebel, now she's waiting for the tow truck

We saw a number of these bicycle rental stations.  I guess you just hop on and ride to where you want to go then return the bike to any station.  Probably cheaper than a cab and a lot faster.  This is not a city I would ever want to drive in!

Rent a bike...unlimited 0-30 minute rides in a 24 hour period  $6

This is Andy's kind of bike !  Does anyone know why?

This was her favorite thing about Boston...no really ... I am serious !!

It's ALWAYS about the food...yes Andy speaking here.  Thanks Tammy for the great recommendation. We sat at the bar and had the best view.

No trip to Boston is complete with out a stop at this icon.   Maybe this is where VooDoo Donuts got their idea?

Yummy!

How many people can say they have had a picnic lunch in the oldest  & first park in America...we can!!

Boston Common

The old with the new !  Boston is a beautiful city !

Fenway Park was a must while we were here.  Lucky me !  The Seattle Mariners were playing.

 The Seattle Mariners lost unlucky me..Boo ! Those Red Sox sure take their baseball seriously!

I thought I smelled something funny in the Ballpark !  LOL

Andy's Note:
We had two wonderful days exploring Boston.  So much American history here!  You learn about all of this when you are in school. I didn't  realize how much I have forgotten until I actually got a chance to see and experience it all for myself.  Of course the fact that we were in school such a LONG time ago didn't help either.  Great city!

Tomorrow we will be heading for Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  We will be stay there for about a week.  Our plan is to check out Provincetown, Plymouth Rock, Martha's Vineyard and maybe take a whale watching trip.