Boston Tea Party?

Nope, no tea party for us!  First morning we were up and at 'em bright and early for some serious sight-seeing . . .

You know Cathy is here and the three of us piled into the truck and headed for the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in South Boston.  This is a monumental edifice filled with comprehensive  and fascinating exhibits of JFK - his life, his family - his world!

A special spot for "contemplation of thoughts too deep for tears."

Next - we braved the wild and crazy streets of Boston.  OMG!  We experienced "Boston sonar."   That's when, the closer you get to Boston, the shorter the time between when the light turns green and the guy behind you honks his horn!!

Anyway, Harold did an amazing job of avoiding disaster on the streets of Boston. And after searching for a parking place for nearly an hour, we finally found a parking garage under the Boston Commons!

First night - Cheers for dinner!!

"Hey - look who's here!"

Here we are at Norm's corner of the bar . . .

Friday - no more driving in town!  Today we opted for the commuter ferry from Hull to Long Wharf in Boston - so we're off on another adventure.

Our plan was to visit and tour the magnificent old sailing ship (built in 1797!) USS Constitution.  But as we were sailing into Boston Harbor, we saw Old Ironsides on her way out for her occasional sail.

Even with the ugly backdrop, this beauty afloat
in the harbor was an incredible sight to behold!

Feel the wind in her hair?
Cathy loved watching the pilot maneuver his craft to the wharf!

We're almost there - Boston Harbor!

OK - we're off on a tour . . .

Here we go - ready to see the sights!

We did stop briefly at the USS Constitution center and watched the ship come in. It was fun to watch the crew in the rigging (in period costume!) and manning the hawsers and securing the ship to the dock.  But too many people here today, so we'll come back later . . .

Crew in action . . .

And from the trolley in the Government Center, we saw the famous Kettle!

The kettle was built in 1873 for the Oriental Tea Company. Hicks and Badger, the city's largest coppersmiths, built the kettle for the company. In 1875, a contest was held to have people guess the capacity of that kettle. The answer is written on one side: 227 gallons, 2 quarts, 1 pint, and 3 gills. The Oriental Tea Company lasted to the 1940s. 

Here are just a few of the old buildings we saw as we rolled through Beantown:

Our tour included a trip across the Charles River to Cambridge.  Our next hop-off would be at Harvard - or as they say here - "Hahvahd."

One of the many portals into Harvard Square

Ate our sack lunch here in the square 

Some scenes from the Harvard campus:

And here in the Square is the John Harvard statue . . .

Better known as the statue of 3 lies:
First, the college was not started by John Harvard.  It began as simply The College and was renamed Harvard some years later after John Harvard willed his books to the school.  Second lie - the plaque says the University was founded in 1638, but it actually was in 1636.  Thirdly - no one
knows what John Harvard actually looked like so this depiction is of some unknown man.

Harvard's motto?  Ve ri tas  (or in English?  "Truth")

A few more buildings around the campus . . .

Back on the trolley and on down the route, just soooo many great buildings!!!

And then, still in Cambridge, passed through the campus of MIT.  An interesting report by our trolley driver/tour guide?  Anyone (with the grades!) can get into MIT - but having a lot of money or an MIT alumnus parent is of no help whatsoever.  All students at MIT are there on their own merit!

Back in Boston - time to find a place for dinner - So we found our way to Little Italy in the North End and a great ristorante  - delicioso!!

"la bella vista" in Little Italy!!

Well, we'd heard through the Beantown grapevine that no visit to Boston is complete without a stop at Mike's Pastry on Hanover Street . . .

Limoncello cannoli???  Oh, yes!!  

Street scene - Little Italy

After a full day in Boston . . . back on the ferry . . . headed for "home"

Good-night, Boston - See ya tomorrow!!!

Then on Saturday we headed back into Boston - first stop at the USS Constitution

And then in town, we sought The Freedom Trail, which goes all through the old part of Boston - you can identify it by the double row of bricks!!

And again in Little Italy for dinner - "Salud!"

So that was about it for Boston proper!

Today, Sunday, we stuck close to "home" except for a nice little bike ride from Wompatuck State Park into Hingham . . .  lots of gorgeous houses and churches along the way . . .

Old Ship Church - preacher was relative of Abe Lincoln!

And this is "Lincoln property" since the 1600's

Ten or twelve miles later - back at the park!

And here's our cozy campsite at Wompatuck!

Tomorrow - back to Boston and then to Logan Intl. Airport to see Cathy on her way home.  We have had a fabulous, fun and memorable time!!!  So glad she could come and spend a few days with us here . . . 

What's next?   Who knows!!!!