Boston: Part II

We missed a lot of National Historical sites in Boston because of the government shut-down.   So when the government reopened, we decided to go back.  These states are so small--it was only 45 miles from our campground north of Newport, RI to one on the commuter rail line into Boston.  I would never try to drive my big truck on any street in Boston other than the interstate.  We actually did tow the camper through the heart of Boston a few days ago on I 93, across the bridge and then into the bowels of the city where the interstate goes underground for miles.  Amazing.

We spent a few hours at the JF Kennedy library.  I was reminded of Obama--not just the inspirational speeches, but the insight, the commitment to making the US a better place, the concern for the underprivileged, improving the reputation of the US abroad, using wisdom, strength and patience in crises.  Can you imagine if Bush had been President during the Cuban missile crisis?  Half the world would have been blown up.  I was stricken anew at the tragedy of JFK being cut off so young when he was doing so much good.

We walked in the footsteps of the British through Charlestown, the area on the north side of the Charles River which is also Boston harbor.  They marched 2200 strong to quell those ragtag colonists who were trying to rebel against His Majesty's care of them.  The colonists had entrenched on Breed's Hill, deciding on the last day that it was higher and more defensible than Bunker Hill nearby.  In three onslaughts the Redcoats managed to repel the rebels, but at the cost of half their men.  The colonial militia lost the battle, but lost only 400-600 men.  The war had begun. 

The memorial obelisk may seem strange where the militia was defeated, but the battler here showed the colonists that they could effectively engage the powerful British army.  It became a rallying point and a symbol of patriotism.

We had a wonderful lunch at Warren's Tavern, a pub Paul Revere enjoyed until his friend Dr. Joseph Warren lost his life on Breed's Hill.

The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the world still afloat.  She was built in Boston's North End in 1797 with a white oak and live oak hull 24 to 36 inches thick.  Paul Revere invented a way to make copper sheathing which was applied to her lower hull.  In the War of 1812 British cannonballs bounced off her, gaining her the nickname "Old Ironsides."  She never lost a battle. 

 

Meandering back to the commuter rail station to get home to the condo-on-wheels, we visited Old South Church where Sam Adams gave the order to dump the tea for the Boston Tea Party.

We also saw Trinity Church near Back Bay.  Breath-taking.