Webb Family Vacation, Day 8

Thursday July 28th

Boston by land and water!

We headed out early on Thursday (I think we headed out early every single day!) so that we could squeeze in a few historical sights and a Duck Tour prior to heading to Fenway.  We left our hotel and followed the Freedom trail to the Old Granary Burying Ground. The duck tour was included with our trolley tour from Wednesday.  The tour wasn't that exciting but it was nice to get a glimpse of the city by water.  A few of my favorite sights:

The Old State House

It is pretty amazing to think of all the important men in our countries history who have stepped foot in this building.  Lots of important decisions were discussed in these walls.  When the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time in the city of Boston, it was read from a balcony on the other end of the Old State House.   The Boston Massacre took place just outside the Old State House.

The Old South Meeting House

 Just another amazing, historic building.  This is truly a meeting place - it was used as a meeting place for colonists and as a congregational church - and is still used today - like the Old State House, lots of very important decisions were made within these walls.  The interior of the building is amazing.  There are many groups of self contained benches.  Five years after the Boston Massacre, the colonists met in the Old South Meeting house to debate about British taxation which lead to the Boston Tea Party.  Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin all spent time in the Old South Meeting house...pretty cool if you're interested in American History!

 The Old Granary Burying Ground.  This cemetery dates back to the late 1600's...old!!  The bodies of many revolutionary heroes are buried here including Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Paul Revere.  Benjamin Franklin's parents are also buried here (he was born in Boston....just in case you were wondering!). 

  

Samual Adams

John Hancock

The monument if for Benjamin Franklin's parents

As far as cemeteries go, this one was pretty interesting!

From the cemetery, we hustled back to the trolley stop to board the bus and head out for our duck tour.

I was really interested in this:

Dump truck emptying a load of salt on top of a pile of salt.

This is a HUGE pile of salt.  This is sitting in part of a shipping port.  A large barge, from Columbia, is parked in the port.  These dump trucks are being filled with salt.  They drive the salt over to this already huge pile and add more and more and more.  The Duck Boat staff informed us they had been emptying that barge for 3 days and when it leaves, another will come.  They also explained that when the 1st snow storm of the season hits, about half of this pile will be used!  My cousin Brett works for the DOT and is in charge of the roads when it snows - I can't wait to ask him how this salt pile compares to the one in Charlotte/Mecklenburg!

Boston from the water

The USS Constitution with the Bunker Hill Monument in the background.

Another view of the salt pile - I was really amazed!

Enjoying the duck boat tour!

 Mid-morning, we headed back to Fenway for an afternoon game against the Royals.  Unfortunately, the Redsox didn't win this one, but we had a great time anyway!  We sat in the same section as Tuesday night, just a few rows closer to the field.   Yes, we are all wearing our Sox gear again....sweat and all!

 If you need a good luck charm, just take Payton - 2 games at Fenway, 2 baseballs to take away.  He got this one as the Royals were finishing up with batting practice.  

 Fenway offers a "Welcome to Fenway" package for first timers.  I missed this on Tuesday so I took advantage on Thursday.  I missed the photo op, but in the middle of an inning, the center board said 

"Welcome to Fenway Payton & Owen Webb."  They also got a souvenir  container of Fenway dirt and Red Sox bracelets.  Happy boys!

 The afternoon game was Military Appreciation game which made it even better.  The National Anthem was accompanied by this huge flag draped over the Green Monster. 

Hats off for the National Anthem

Mommy and Payton

Payton getting into the game. 

Owen is missing from a lot of these pictures - the trouble with an afternoon game is the heat - and it was HOT!  Owen and I made several trips out of the seats and into the shade.  I was hoping to get him to sleep.  Apparently, only Aunt Chandra had the touch.  She got him to sleep and ended up spending the end of the game on a covered picnic table holding a sweaty baby!  Thanks Aunt Chandra!

After the game, the kids enjoyed a little time in the hotel pool.  We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and dessert in Meme and Pawpaw's room. Another great day in Boston!