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