BK Olson, Travel Blogger

Category: New England

  • The Search for Lights

    The Search for Lights

    If you were more than a little disappointed by the lack of lighthouses in my last post (especially since I called out a seeming abundance of them), then this is the post for you. We searched high and low and found some good ones, along with several “No Trespassing” signs and several that were just not there. Along with the lights came fantastic views and birds, and just a little more history. I love vacations!

    Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
    To start at the beginning of this series, visit Fall for New England 2021.

    Cape Cod Continued

    Today we started our quest for lights at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable, MA. We thoroughly enjoyed the grounds of this place and once we reached the water’s edge, it was even better. It was a bit of a stretch to see the Sandy Neck Lighthouse across the harbor and houses were built right up to it, but it was still a very pleasant visit indeed.

    “After Sandy Neck Lighthouse stood “headless” for nearly seventy-five years in spoiled beauty, volunteers were finally spurred to restore the lighthouse to its former glory. Looking now at the charm of this lighthouse flanked by its six-room keeper’s house and situated on the low, eastern point of Sandy Neck at the entrance to Barnstable Harbor, it is easy to forget the sacrifices of the men and two women (and their families) who tended this light during its century of service.

    Sandy Neck comes by its name honestly, with shifting sands constantly redefining the margins of this thin, one-half-mile-wide, six-mile-long peninsula on the north side of Cape Cod. In the nineteenth century, Barnstable was an important port for fishing, whaling, and coastal trade, and Sandy Neck was home to a try-works for rendering whale blubber into oil.” ~ READ MORE

    Don’t Get Too Close or Keep Out Altogether!

    The Hyannis Rear Range Light, AKA the Hyannis Harbor Light (first photo below) was built in 1856 and its partner – The Front Range Light was added in 1885. The pair would guide ships into the Old Colony Railroad Wharf so they could unload their goods onto trains. Since they were not meant for navigation to ships way out at sea, they were only twenty-feet tall. When the water traffic was rerouted to another bay, the lighthouse was sold. It is now a private residence and closed to the public. The Front Range Light – along with the wharf – washed into the Sound.

    I didn’t put two and two together to realize The Lighthouse Inn (next three photos) probably wouldn’t be what I was expecting. Today the “Inn” aspect of it definitely overshadows the “Lighthouse”. I felt like I was snooping as I shot some quick photos. Check out the specifics on their website and they have much better photos where you can actually see the old lighthouse with their ariel views (in the back behind the peak of the roof). The Inn does look beautiful and a fun place to stay, and its little lighthouse “shed” is pretty cute.

    I’m going a little out of order with the final photo below to keep it under the “No Trespassing” header. Good thing I have a good zoom, because this was definitely marked as private property in a subdivision. Jim was not happy that I was getting close in although technically, I wasn’t trespassing – I was still outside the gate. I have no idea what the name of that one is, and… I gotta go!

    Chatham Lighthouse

    “The coastline of Cape Cod is rumored responsible for over 3500 wrecked vessels (1850 through 1980). Those who sailed close to the Chatham shores tell tales of ghostly images that lured ships to what seemed like, safety; only to have their hopes dashed against the rugged shores of the Cape.

    In the days of old, the lighthouse was the only means of preventing a ship from running aground. The beacon emitted light like a giant flashlight, preventing ships from hitting the sharp rocks of the coast. The Chatham Lighthouse, also known as the twin lights prior to 1923, is one of 16 remaining lighthouses on the Cape Cod Coast.

    The building of the lighthouse was no cheap endeavor, nor was it easy considering the sand. In the early years, merchandise took months to reach the American shores, and it took experienced sailors to bring it home, not to mention ships were precious and costly to build. This lighthouse was built with the same solid construction ships were given. Chatham Lighthouse was built to save cargo and lives.” ~ READ MORE

    In an effort to distinguish this location from others nearby, two wooden towers were constructed – the first in 1806 and second in 1808. They were both resurfaced in stone in 1841. Even though they were built on moveable platforms, creating safer access for ships as erosion crept in, one of the towers fell into the sea. The second still shines today – all day, every day.

    Today the Chatham Lighthouse property consists of the North Tower, a museum, and Coast Guard search and rescue. Also pictured below are sand dunes for miles, a shark warning and an interesting story about the MayFlower and how the treacherous waters of this location may have changed history. A detailed story of its journey and landing in Provincetown can be seen at the Pilgrim Monument and Museum in Provincetown.

    The Scenic Route

    As we make our way back west (home), today we are headed to an overnight in East Haven, CT. Although not a hotel we would recommend, our route checked off two boxes on our “states yet to visit” list (CT and RI) and took us to some of the most fabulous lighthouses of our entire trip! We started at Nobska Lighthouse, and if you check out the website, a renovation is almost complete. Soon the keeper’s house will become a Maritime Museum, which I’m sure will be top-notch!

    A Pub with a View

    After another lighthouse fail, we decided to stop at the wharf in Newport, RI at the Celtica Public House for some lunch. We totally live by one of the reviews at the link: “These are the small places with the easy going fun that we search out when we travel.” We had fish and chips and with my new Iowa friend cheering me on (in my mind), I tried my first Guinness (and liked it!). The wharf was absolutely beautiful despite the drizzle.

    1886 Casino/Castle

    We made a real quick stop in Narragansett, RI at The Towers because, well, they were awesome! They were preparing for some sort of event since folks were gathering who were dressed to the nines. If you have a special occasion you’d like to celebrate, check out the tab for Your Event. Let me know when you schedule and invite me (please?)!

    “Narragansett Pier is home to the broad Town Beach, which is overlooked by the Towers, an iconic, castlelike remnant of an 1886 casino. Gift shops and eateries fill the Pier Marketplace, and Ocean Road is dotted with inns and seafood eateries.”

    Point Judith Lighthouse

    Next up was a nice walk along the shoreline with large, black rock – beautiful in contrast to the blue water and surf. The closer we got to Point Judith Lighthouse we noticed a high fence, then a U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Coast Guard Station sign. That’s usually not a good thing and a check on the website confirmed that while welcome on the grounds, inside the fence – not so much.

    Located at the confluence of two waterways (Narragansett Bay, RI and Block Island Sound), this area has lots of water traffic. Even with active lighthouses, many ships have wrecked off of these coasts. The octagonal granite tower was built in 1856 and is the third on this site. The upper half was painted brown and the lower half white to make it more distinguishable during the day. Point Judith Light was automated in 1954, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

    Slumming It

    When we pulled up to a (very) affluent neighborhood in Westerly, RI to see the Watch Hill Lighthouse, we assumed they wouldn’t let in the riff raff and there would be no trespassing signs like we had encountered in other spots, but NO! A sign read that walkers were welcome, and seniors 65+ could drive in! We decided to walk in for the exercise and so I could gawk at the gorgeous homes along the way, most of which looked empty. Boy, what a treat!

    We parked along the street and ventured through the neighborhood. It was a pretty narrow road and we were glad that we didn’t drive in, especially when we met other cars that were traveling too fast. Some of the drivers were not 65 and breaking the rules, but who are we to judge.

    As we approached the lighthouse I was simply amazed! Whether it was the log fence, lush greenery, the clouds in the (finally) blue sky, or the flag outstretched over that gorgeous lighthouse, this was my favorite stop of the entire trip. And it looks like it will be here for years to come:

    “Per the terms of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) of 2000, Lighthouses deemed to be “excess to the needs of” the United States Coast Guard are to be conveyed to Federal Agencies, State [or] local governments, nonprofit corporations, educational agencies [or] community development organizations that agree to make the station available for education, park, recreation, cultural or historic preservation purposes for the general public.

    As steward of the Watch Hill Lighthouse since August 31st, 1986, the Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association (WHLKA) resolutely affirmed our intention to continue our Mission to preserve this beloved historic property in perpetuity. Our application highlights our immediate objective to maintain access to the Lighthouse grounds for public enjoyment, and to enhance the collection held and information provided by the Lighthouse Museum the Association maintains on the property. Equally, we continue to plan for anticipated building repairs and revetment restoration so that this beautiful public park space in Watch Hill may be safely enjoyed by all our visitors.” ~ READ MORE

    Stonington, CT

    The Stonington Lighthouse Museum is located in the Borough of Stonington, CT. This unique lighthouse was built in 1840 and could very well come in second place for my favorites on this trip. A well-preserved example of a mid-19th century stone lighthouse, Stonington was taken out of service in 1889 and now serves as a local history museum.

    “For more than 170 years, this modest stone citadel — a lighthouse tower attached to a dwelling — has stood at the entrance to the harbor of Stonington, Connecticut’s only port facing on the Atlantic. Now regarded fondly as a durable symbol of a seafaring past, in its working years it performed the valuable service of guiding ships across treacherous Fishers Island Sound.

    The building is notable among lighthouses of its period for its fanciful stonework, with ornamental cornices around the tower and weighty granite lintels above doorways and windows. When it was built in 1840 it had a nearly flat roof with simulated battlements, but it leaked so badly that two years later local craftsmen were called in to install the gabled roof it has today.” ~ for more info on Stonington, including an historic walking tour READ MORE

    Wouldn’t you know it, the museum was closed for renovations, what a surprise! After a couple of quick pictures of this fantastic place, we walked down by the harbor to see the views. Turns out there’s a lot of things to see out in the distance from this spot (see the sign below) including the Watch Hill Lighthouse! I think we’ll need to revisit Stonington, take the walking tour and visit a few more lighthouses in this area.

    Tomorrow’s a Drive Day

    After three wonderful days in Cape Cod and a stupendous drive day en route to East Haven, CT, tomorrow we have to make some time to get to our next stop in Pennsylvania. I hope you enjoyed all the beautiful lighthouses and that’ll you’ll return for some Frank Lloyd Wright in the days (or weeks) ahead!!

    Next up: All About Frank

    Happy trails,
    Barb

  • For the Love of Water

    For the Love of Water

    So far on this road trip we’ve seen two Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, cascades, smaller (than Niagara) waterfalls, rivers, and Boston Harbor. On our next few stops we kick it up a notch with Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket Sound, Barnstable Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean. And you know what that means – lighthouses!

    Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
    To start at the beginning of this series, visit Fall for New England 2021.

    Our New Digs and Great Chowder!

    Our New England road trip continues with three nights in Cape Cod. After some sightseeing north of Boston and treacherous Boston traffic, we arrived safely at The Soundings Seaside Resort in Dennis Port, MA. By the time we unloaded and unpacked it was time for dinner, and we decided on a place that was close and delicious on a previous trip. In case you’re wondering who has the best clam chowder on Cape Cod, it seems like it might be Captain Parker’s Pub:

    “We’ve participated in the Cape Cod Chowder Festival, the Newport Chowder Cook-Off, and the Boston Chowder Festival accumulating a total of 18 first place trophies and earning us the title of triple crown chowder champions. Our chowder has appeared in numerous programs on the Food Network and was even mentioned in a question on Jeopardy!” ~ READ MORE

    The Three Sisters and Nauset Light

    Three 15-foot high masonry towers were built by Congress in 1836 out of Eastham residents’ concern for loved ones at sea. They soon were given the nickname “The Three Sisters” because “from sea they looked like women in white dresses with black hats”. The ladies standing here today are actually versions two. With changes in the shoreline so constant, moveable lighthouses became a thing and the originals were left to fall into the sea.

    Eventually part of the Nauset Beach Light Station (about a quarter mile away), they provided a landmark for sailors along the Outer Cape from 1838 to 1911. Turns out these sisters have quite a story after erosion forced them further inland.

    In a nutshell, they were deemed unnecessary, sold at auction, used as dance studios and summer cottages before the National Park Service reunited them at their original location. Visit the website to read the story of their separation and their journey back to this location in Eastham, MA.

    I didn’t bother with a photo, since the Nauset Light was topped with repairmen and scaffolding, surrounded by caution tape, with a crane and bucket at the ready. There are some beautiful photos on its website though!

    More Construction, Beautiful Views

    The Highland Light (AKA Cape Cod Light) is owned by the National Park Service as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore in North Truro, MA. Although disappointed with the shroud of tarps surrounding the Highland Light, the walk out to the Atlantic Ocean was fantastic. Erosion also forced this light’s relocation in 1996.

    From a sign: “These tall cliffs seemed like solid ground when President Washington authorized the construction of Cape Cod’s first lighthouse here in 1797. But over the years, the waves of powerful winter storms have battered the base of this cliff. From time to time the upper part of the cliff falls in large chunks to the beach below. Of the ten acres bought to build the 1797 lighthouse, fewer than four acres remain.”

    The beautiful deck below is as far as we could go to stay safe on the eroding coastline and it is also the original location of the light. Besides a great view and pleasant, warm breezes, we had nice conversations with two couples. One couple were full-time RVers from Bismarck, ND and the others were just enjoying the views in their home state. Visit the website for some non-shrouded views!

    Visitor Center with Dunes, Views, Trails & Whales

    Also along the Cape Code National Seashore, Province Lands Visitor Center has exhibits, dunes, views of the Atlantic, and miles of walking and biking trails. And whales may be seen swimming offshore! Too bad we didn’t bring our dune buggy!

    P-Town Lobster

    No trip to Cape Cod is complete without a trip to Provincetown – a cute little town at the top of the Cape. There was some kind of traffic situation going on, so we parked and found our restaurant pretty quickly. Our dinner included marina views and outside dining, so even though the food was just so-so, it was an enjoyable end to another beautiful day. Next time we come back, there WILL BE shopping!

    “Provincetown is at the northern tip of Cape Cod, MA. The seaside town is on the site of the Mayflower’s landing in 1620, commemorated by the towering Pilgrim Monument and neighboring Provincetown Museum. P-town is known as a longtime haven for artists, lesbians and gay men. Numerous galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, cabarets and specialty shops are clustered on and around lively Commercial Street.” ~ READ MORE

    Ya Gotta Love Cape Cod!

    Next up: The Search for Lights

    Happy trails,
    Barb

  • Walk Into History

    Walk Into History

    We were blessed with beautiful days in Boston and we took advantage of every hour that we could, to be out and about exploring. The only thing we missed was “Cheers” and we could have done that, had we realized just how close we were to the iconic bar where everybody knows your name.

    My favorite line from the “Normisms” t-shirt I bought Jim on a visit several years ago is: Cliff: “What’s shakin’ Norm?” Norm: “Two cheeks and a couple of chins!”

    Sorry, I couldn’t resist!

    Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
    To start at the beginning of this series, visit Fall for New England 2021.

    10,000 Steps? No Problem.

    What started as the name of a tour where we could get an overview of the city and its history, ended up being the theme of the three days that we spent in Boston. Around nearly every corner in this bustling, modern city was something historic – a building, plaque, church or mural to remind us of all that went on here so many years ago. The city is spotless and easily walkable (with several rest stops along the way at restaurants and pubs).

    This city had a way of making me look in all directions so I wouldn’t miss a thing. The well-kept cobblestones contained medallions and artwork that were absolutely fabulous. Looking up (sometimes way up!) offered ornate embellishment, steeples or clocks. And of course in any big city you should always look side to side, especially when stepping off the curb. Traffic was not too bad during the day and drivers were very courteous and very aware of folks in the crosswalks.

    Statues, Monuments and Sculptures, Oh My!

    What is the deal with men and their obsession with statues and obelisks? OK, I won’t go there. But there are plenty all over this city and with good reason I suppose.

    Boston Common and the Public Garden

    “Two centuries separate the creation of the Boston Common and the Public Garden, and what a difference that period made. In 1634 the Common was created as America’s first public park; it was practical and pastoral with walkways built for crosstown travel. In contrast, the Public Garden was the first public botanical garden in America. It was decorative and flowery from its inception, featuring meandering pathways for strolling.

    The Victorians ushered in the style of park which featured the gardener’s art. They designed vibrant floral patterns in the Garden which utilized new techniques of collecting, hybridizing, and propagating plants. With access to showy annuals and greenhouse-grown plants they bedded the Garden with colorful displays and planted exotic imported trees. George Meacham used these new techniques to win the public design competition held for the Garden, for which he received a $100 prize.

    In the early days, some complained that the unnatural combinations of colorful plants were garish beyond the bounds of good taste. Now Boston calls the Public Garden one of its greatest attractions.” ~ READ MORE

    After a long day on our feet I talked Jim into one more trek, and the extra couple-mile loop was totally worth relaxing in this beautiful place. The public garden is a great place to feed the geese, shoot photos under the weeping willows, listen to music on your earbuds and even get married! A gorgeous evening – and an escape from the bustling, historic city just outside the fence.

    Beantown Treats

    A person has got to have goals! During one of our jaunts around town, we enjoyed a cannoli, a pint at The Point (one of Boston’s oldest taverns), a couple of apps and more pints at the Union Oyster House. America’s oldest restaurant (since 1826), the Union Oyster House is located in a building that dates back to Pre-Revolutionary days!

    When I filled in a survey as to how our stay was thus far, the Godfrey asked what they could do to make our stay even better. Boston Cream Pie came to mind and – low and behold – a piece was waiting in our room after a long day of exploring!

    We finished off that day at the Beantown Pub – the only place where you can enjoy a cold Sam Adams across from a cold Sam Adams! We thought our tour guide was so clever when he said this as we visited the Granary Burial Grounds – right across the street. Turns out it’s on the Beantown’s website, but he got a good laugh during our tour! At Beantown we enjoyed Fenway Franks with Boston Baked Beans and another pint to round out our hunger (and thirst) for all things Boston. Needless to say after a day of Boston pints, I got very creative on the last picture of this grouping.

    What? More Photos?

    Ya, ya I know. But that’s really why you come to this site, right? Here are just a few more random shots before we head a little further north of the city.

    USS Constitution

    Since we decided against public transportation, we decided to save the two stops furthest north for the day we were leaving Boston. Since our commute that day was going to be less than two hours and we couldn’t check into our next accommodations until after 4pm, it made the most sense that we drive up to the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill.

    Big mistake. Huge. Not only did we have horrible traffic going north, we had to drive in even worse traffic as rush hour approached going south to Dennis Port, MA. If you decide to visit, please don’t drive to these last locations unless your route will take you out of the city altogether.

    “The USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat and America’s Ship of State, promotes the United States Navy and America’s naval heritage through educational outreach, public access and historic demonstrations both in port and underway in Boston Harbor.

    Located inside Boston National Historical Park as part of the Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown, MA and part of Boston’s Freedom Trail, USS Constitution is open for public visitation, free of charge, throughout the year.” ~ READ MORE

    Bunker Hill

    Bunker Hill is located pretty much in a residential area of Charlestown near Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. The Bunker Hill Monument, Lodge, and Museum are National Park Service sites.

    “On June 17, 1775, New England soldiers faced the British army for the first time in a pitched battle. Popularly known as “The Battle of Bunker Hill,” bloody fighting took place throughout a hilly landscape of fenced pastures that were situated across the Charles River from Boston. Though the British forces claimed the field, the casualties inflicted by the Provincial solders from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire were staggering. Of the some 2,400 British Soldiers and Marines engaged, some 1,000 were wounded or killed.

    Fifty years after the battle, the Marquis De Lafayette set the cornerstone of what would become a lasting monument and tribute to the memory of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The project was ambitious: construct a 221-foot tall obelisk built entirely from quarried granite. It took over seventeen years to complete, but it still stands to this day atop a prominence of the battlefield now known as Breed’s Hill. Marking the site where Provincial forces constructed an earthen fort, or “Redoubt,” prior to the battle, this site remains the focal point of the battle’s memory.” ~ READ MORE

    In Conclusion

    So much history and so little time! What a busy, exhilarating, exhausting couple of days! Now we’re off to a little rest and relaxation. Dennis Port is in the town of Dennis, Cape Cod, MA. Sounds wonderful!

    Next up: For the Love of Water

    Happy trails,
    Barb

  • A City on a Hill

    A City on a Hill

    Road trips have become a regular thing in our retirement, but we rarely spring for luxury accommodations. When it came to our three days in Boston however, we didn’t want to spend part of each day stuck in traffic or fumbling through its public transit or parking regulations. We put on our walking shoes and strolled right out of our hotel lobby and into the city.

    Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
    To start at the beginning of this series, visit Fall for New England 2021.

    The Godfrey Hotel Boston

    Although not a “big city” guy, Boston has been on Jim’s bucket list for years, given its historic past. We asked our timeshare group for suggestions on how they handled the expense vs. other scenarios which involved a commute.

    It seemed almost everyone who replied had tried a different scenario. After all of the back and forth, we decided we wanted the flexibility to walk everywhere so we decided to bite the bullet and stay downtown.

    After obsessing over the Boston maps – Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, The Boston Public Garden – we decided on the ultra-modern Godfrey Hotel because of its proximity to all of the above. Plus the photos on their website were beautiful!

    We parked our car and left it for three days (which was also expensive) and we walked everywhere. Was the splurge worth it? Would we do it again? Yes we would!

    Boston artist Mark Grundig painted this mural and more wall decor at Democracy Brewing. The saying “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” translates to: “With the sword he seeks a peaceful repose in freedom.”

    Just around the Corner

    After a little stress on the freeway and a couple of wrong turns, we made it safely to the Godfrey. There was a parking spot right out front just for us and with the help of a very friendly valet, all of our “stuff” was effortlessly moved to our room. We unpacked a few things and relaxed for a bit until our tummies started rumbling for some dinner.

    Since it was dark and we were in a new and bustling city, our decision was made quickly when we found Democracy Brewing just around the corner. It turned out to be a great introduction to the city with a beautiful bar, great food and really great beer!

    In looking at their website, this business is democratically governed and worker-owned. It was fascinating to read the bios of the folks running this place, and it made the food and beer taste that much better.

    We could have stayed for a little comedy after our meal in another area of the building, but instead we called it a night. It was a long day after stops in Lexington and Concord and we needed a good night’s sleep tonight to conquer Boston tomorrow. The heavenly bed at the Godfrey helped with that.

    History 102

    This Massachusetts Bay Colony was inhabited for centuries by Native Americans who called the area Shawmut. In 1614 Captain John Smith explored the coastline of “New England”. Shortly after, folks in search of religious freedom (the Pilgrims) arrived and named it Tremontaine (three hills). When a fleet of Puritan ships arrived in 1630 led by John Winthrop, its name was changed to Boston. “A city on a hill” described John Winthrop’s expectation that the colony would shine like an example to the world.

    As a preamble, you really should watch this three-minute video on The French and Indian War (1756-1763) – one of the most consequential wars in American history.

    Taxation without Representation

    As Boston grew and prospered, tensions between colonists and English governors increased. A series of taxes to help recoup some of Britain’s debt after the French and Indian War only made matters worse.

    • Stamp Act (1765) was the first tax levied directly on American colonists. The act would tax all paper documents in the colonies. Arguing that only their own representative assemblies could tax them, the colonists insisted that the act was unconstitutional. After they resorted to mob violence, it was repealed in 1766.
    • Townshend Acts (1767) – Parliament again tried to assert its authority by passing legislation to tax goods that Americans imported from Great Britain. Americans struck back by boycotting British goods that were subject to taxation. In an effort to muffle the resistance, the British sent troops to occupy Boston. This only made matters worse.
    • Boston Massacre (1770) – Tensions peaked one afternoon, when a disagreement led to a crowd of 200 colonists surrounding seven British troops. Americans began taunting and throwing things and the soldiers fired into the crowd. Although only five Bostonians lost their lives, the “massacre” became a useful propaganda tool for the colonists. It didn’t really matter that the British were not the aggressors in this case.
    • The Boston Tea Party (1773) – The British eventually withdrew forces. They repealed many of the Townshend Acts (except the Tea Tax) and enacted the Tea Act. Giving the British East India Company favorable tax treatment, they could undercut American merchants who imported from Dutch traders. Bostonians responded by tossing more than 92,000 pounds of British tea into Boston Harbor.
    • Coercive Acts (1774) – Many members of Parliament lost great sums of money when all that tea went into the harbor. They had invested heavily in the British East India Company since it seemed a sure thing. When their plan backfired, they decided to tame the rebellious colonists with these acts:
      • Boston Port Act closed the port of Boston until damages from the Tea Party were paid.
      • Massachusetts Government Act restricted Massachusetts democratic town meetings and turned the governor’s council into an appointed body.
      • Administration of Justice Act made British officials immune to criminal prosecution in Massachusetts.
      • Quartering Act required colonists to house and quarter British troops on demand, including in their private homes as a last resort.

    You Know What They Say about Assuming

    “Parliament hoped that the acts would cut Boston and New England off from the rest of the colonies and prevent unified resistance to British rule. They expected the rest of the colonies to abandon Bostonians to British martial law. Instead, other colonies rushed to the city’s defense, sending supplies and forming their own Provincial Congresses to discuss British misrule and mobilize resistance to the crown. In September 1774, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and began orchestrating a united resistance to British rule in America.” ~ READ MORE

    Many of the key events leading up to the Revolutionary War occurred in or near Boston and we are going to visit the locations of quite a few. We were at Concord and Lexington earlier today, which you can read at this link. At the link there is a current-day photo of the Old North Bridge, but the one just below looks cool with soldiers lined up on both sides of the Concord River.

    Ed Vebell/Getty Images, from 7 Events That Enraged Colonists and Led to the American Revolution.

    Walk Into History Tour

    Looking out our hotel window was quite a treat this morning with an all-glass building reflecting the gorgeous clouds and beautiful blue sky. We could tell it was going to be a great day!

    We met our guide at Boston Common at noon to begin our 2-1/2 hour tour. To be honest, when he introduced himself as Dr. Samuel Prescott, I wasn’t sure who he was supposed to be portraying. As I’ve said before, I’m not much of a history buff – but I may get a little reprieve from my ignorance, because I’ve been hearing about Paul Revere’s ride for years – with no mention of our beloved tour guide.

    Our Tour Guide sets us Straight

    According to Dr. Prescott, several things about the night of April 18 and Paul Revere’s ride weren’t quite on point. Patriot spies had caught wind that the British were coming from Boston to Lexington the next day (April 19, 1775) to capture rebel leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Once that task was complete they would continue on to Concord to destroy the American weapons and ammunition that were stockpiled there. Paul Revere supposedly road through the streets and shouted: “The British are coming! The British are coming!”

    Our tour guide stated that instead of shouting “The British are coming!” he would have shouted “The Regulars are Out!” and not because most Americans still considered themselves to be British, but because British soldiers were called Regulars (they were in the regular army). And, he would NOT have shouted at all! This is some serious spy stuff here, he had to be sneaky and quiet.

    The Real Story goes…

    According to “Historical Digression“:

    Paul Revere and William Dawes (the two “Midnight Riders”) were alerted that spies had caught wind of a British strike on the provincial military supplies at Concord, and that about 800 Regulars had left Boston. Their mission was to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams in Lexington, which they completed successfully. They were then instructed to continue on to Concord to alert the town.

    Not far outside of Lexington, Revere and Dawes were met by the young Dr. Prescott and he joined in their task of alerting households and pushing on to Concord. Since Revere considered Prescott “a High Son of Liberty,” they trusted him to help with their crucial mission. Prescott was also well known in the area (being a country doctor) and would be helpful in assuring residents that this was all for real.

    The three riders only made it about three miles (halfway to Concord) when they were detained by a British patrol on horseback. Dawes escaped and went back to Lexington, Revere was later released and walked back to Lexington, and Samuel Prescott escaped and made it to Concord. Along the way he alerted several more households in Lincoln. He arrived in Concord and the town bell was rung. Samuel Prescott had completed the mission given to him by Revere.

    So when remembering Paul Revere’s ride, also remember William Dawes AND ESPECIALLY (our tour guide) Dr. Samuel Prescott.

    Break Time

    That was a lot of history (for me anyway). I’ll continue my next post with more pictures and fewer facts, for those of you who prefer that kind of stuff!

    Next up: Walk into History

    Happy trails,
    Barb

  • History 101

    History 101

    As someone who hated high school history class, I’m amazed at how much I enjoy visiting places from those dreaded books and lectures. At first it was Jim who was encouraging the stops, but now we both agree that, although some places may not be politically correct in this day and age, it’s our history. How can we measure how far we’ve come without knowing where we’ve been.

    Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
    To start at the beginning of this series, visit Fall for New England 2021.

    Make the Most of the Miles

    As much as we loved New Hampshire, it’s time to move our home base from Bartlett to Boston. We were able to visit Lexington and Concord by adding just ten minutes to our route. This stop fit in nicely as a prelude to the history we have in store for us in Boston.

    Had we done more research beforehand, we would have realized the good stuff that’s available in this area. We really should have scheduled an overnight in Lexington to get the most out of both cities, but instead we just hit the highlights.

    We started at Minute Man National Historical Park (in Concord) which included some wonderful displays about the events leading up to the Revolutionary War.

    A Glimpse of the Battle Road Trail

    Just up the road is the North Bridge Visitor Center which is located in a brick mansion built in 1911 by descendants of Major John Buttrick – the officer who first ordered his militia to fire upon British soldiers. There we watched a short video and perused some great exhibits.

    Keep in mind the gentleman riding the horse in the last photo (Dr. Samuel Prescott), because we’ll actually see him tomorrow on our “Walk Into History Tour” in Boston. He’ll set a few things straight that the retelling of history may have gotten wrong.

    The Old North Bridge

    From the Visitor Center we walked out about a third mile to the Old North Bridge – a replica of the original bridge which spans the Concord River. After our time in the Visitor Center, my history lessons (from a long time ago) all started to come back.

    We were reminded of the bridge’s historical significance with the phrase “The shot heard ’round the world” – fired from this very spot. Of course the phrase refers to the opening shot of the battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 which started the American Revolutionary War – which eventually led to the creation of the United States of America.

    Amid a lot of “confusion and contradiction”, no single shot can be cited as the first shot of the war. Shots were fired earlier that day at Lexington, but Concord’s North Bridge “skirmish” saw the “first shots by Americans acting under orders, the first organized volley by Americans, the first British fatalities, and the first British retreat.”

    It seems Lexington and Concord have long debated the point of origin for the Revolutionary War since Lexington was described as the “birthplace of American liberty”, but the “first forcible resistance” occurred in Concord.

    A Much-too-quick stop in Lexington

    Unfortunately we had very little time in Lexington, long enough for a quick stop at the Visitor Center and to check out Battle Green, which was a lovely park with lots of history. Check out the link to see all this town has to offer. I think an overnight here would have given us more time to explore both Lexington and Concord, but instead we’re hoping to get to our hotel before traffic gets too thick in Boston. Oops, too late!

    Boston, Here we Come!

    Next up: City on a Hill

    Happy trails,
    Barb