Rambling around Boston

With a week booked in Boston at the Charlestown Marina, we have time to explore this historic city. Being here over Independence Day is particularly poignant.

The expressions of pride and patriotism are everywhere from the boats in our marina to the
flags on the historic graves of Revolutionary War veterans.

The USS Constitution

Visiting this venerable ship, the oldest commissioned war ship in the world is a trip back in time. Not only does it have a rich record of success in maritime conflict, but it also reveals the technology of the big ships and the toughness of the crews that manned them. "Old Ironsides" has been the pride of the U.S. Navy since 1797.

        

We explored all the decks that were open to the public. Navy sailors are assigned to the USS Constitution and costumed in the uniforms of the ship's past.


Though Old Ironsides was not a warship engaged in the war for independence, it brought to mind Washington's first ship, sent to St. Eustatius to obtain supplies and munitions. If it were not for the recognition of the Dutch island outlined in Barbara Tuchman's book, the First Salute, we might not be celebrating our independence. The history we learn doesn't quite tell how the 13 colonies fit into a global perspective of the time.

We noted that the south, said to be Georgia Sea Islands, supplied the strong live oak siding, ribs and knees, The decks were planked with longleaf pine. The ship was dubbed "Old Ironsides" because cannon balls bounced off the hard live oak sides.


Bunker Hill




Taking off to trek the Freedom Trail, a route denoted by brick and granite inland in the streets and sidewalks, we explored Bunker Hill. On top, a granite obelisk rises 220 ft. and is available for people to climb the 194 steps up to the viewing room. From the small windows there are spectacular views of the city. We could even see our marina.

Lee made it half way up before her rebuilt knee started telegraphing a warning that reaching the summit might not be a good idea. Marvin made it to the top, and back, a bit winded from the equivalent of a 20-story stair climb.

Paul Revere House

on the Freedom Trail 

The next day, crossing over the locks on foot that we transited in AQUAVIT, we resumed the Freedom Trail to visit the many historic landmarks that are part of a national legacy - Paul Revere's House, The Old North Church, Old South Meeting-House, King's Chapel Burying Ground, Faneuil Hall, Granary Burial Ground (where many of our founding fathers are buried) and statuary parks. Lee had visited Boston once in 1976 (the bicentennial year) for a meeting when she worked with The Florida Bar and Marvin had been to Boston in 1969. (We have only made one brief trip back to this city, in 2010, so we have had much to explore on this trip )

We wanted to see the part of town where Marvin's Uncle James Speakman (1896-1990) held court as the "Mayor of Scully Square" but sadly the fix to this rough part of town was to eliminate the blight with a bulldozer and replace the Irish community with a huge government center.  One long-time Bostonian we met called it "urban removal". Affable Uncle Jimmy, or "Stubby" as he was known, had a bar in Scully Station and seemed to know everyone from Boston to Maine.

It is so interesting to see street buskers, tourists, and locals mix. Seeing faces and hearing languages and accents that represent so many nations and cultures reaffirmed that our nation is comprised of many people, having in common the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness. When we see the flag flying here, it isn't a surrogate for the Confederate battle flag or being usurped to represent a political view. It is flying proudly on the pride of a nation that was created on lofty principles of freedom and democracy.


After a stroll through the Boston Commons, we wandered back to the Long Wharf for dinner at Legal Seafood.

Throughout the walk, we see that the stories are being updated and expanded to include the contributions of African Americans and women. While history is written by the winners and the privileged, it is good to see recognition of the unsung partners and a recognition of past mistakes.

Worn out from a long day's walk, and with heads spinning from so many historic details, we took a Lyft back to Charlestown. Upon returning to the marina, we see a couple super yachts have come in and docked. One is 317 ft in length--about the size of the small cruise liner that loaded 185 passengers here yesterday! The expense of the boat and crew is unimaginable.

New England Aquarium

It may not be the largest, but it is one of our favorites and so popular with visitors. Though our visits have been infrequent we are always impressed in how their design renovations keep this old venue up to date. When in business, we had a good relationship with the curator and appreciated his assistance, particularly with coral models we used in numerous projects to augment our own capabilities.







Boston Public Garden

More walking! From the New England Aquarium we hiked across the city over to the Boston Commons and Boston Public Garden. Lee found that the Garden has two specimens of American Elm so we set off to locate the trees in the park. Lots of folks were enjoying the garden on a pleasant summer day. It reminded us of the Seurat painting "A Sunday Afternoon..." All that seemed to be missing were the hats and umbrellas.

Boston is a very walkable city. The sidewalks are not as crowded as New York and there are parks and greenways all over (part of the Emerald Necklace, designed by Olmsted, that surrounds the city) for sitting and resting. But the streets are not laid out in a grid like New York so it is easy to get turned around here. On one of our ramblings off the Freedom Trail we came across the North Street Grille and enjoyed a nice lunch there.

Statuary of well-known figures and several that were obscure to us were scattered throughout the park. The most commanding statue was of George Washington, fittingly heroic, atop a stallion.
A visit to Whole Foods and a Lyft ride back to our boat, tired and happy to have hot showers and a comfortable bed to rest weary bones.

Next stop Maine 

After meeting up with Carlos and his family, we will be moving on up the coast. We have reservations that we cannot cancel in Kennebunkport for 2 nights. Then on to Portland. So far we are thankful the tropics have been calm and we have not had to contemplate an unscheduled return home for weather.


We feel so lucky and privileged to be on this adventure. Thanks for sharing it with us.

07.09.2019