Okay - Now Boston

Since we skipped Boston yesterday, we headed back there again today. It's only about 45 miles from here. We got there about 8:30am and we took our bikes with us. The first thing we did was bike (and walked where it was too congested) the Freedom Trail. Have you ever done the Freedom Trail? If so, then you know about the red bricks or red paint on the sideway to lead the way. It's starts at a visitor's center in Boston Commons, in front of the State House. It goes by several historic locations including the Old North Church where the signal ("One if by Land and Two if by Sea was given") . Here, you see Paul Revere's house with the brick trail in front.

I think this house was painted when it was restored but we learned something interesting later in the day. These dark houses (we have seen several like this) are dark because the wood has been burnt. It's intentional. I don't know why. I'll try to find out more and let you know.

At the end of the trail is the USS Constitution; or, Old Ironsides. This ship is one of the original 4 ships commissioned by President George Washington in 1797. Navy sailors are still stationed on her and they take her out several times each summer. (For lots more pictures, check out my online photo album.)

I love Boston - not so much to live in but to visit. After the Freedom Trail we rode our bikes around Boston in general. I love the city, especially the architecture. The Charleston district is very 1600's with gas lights, narrow brick streets, and boot scrapers built into the stoops. The brownstones are very pretty, on streets with park-like medians. People seem to know how to make great houses here!

In an earlier post (around New York I think) I mentioned the houses being cute. I've tried taking some photos but the they just don't do them justice so I haven't posted them. Well, in Marblehead, MA there are about 200 homes built prior to the revolutionary war and about 800 built in the 1800's. Amazingly, they don't look very much different from the typical houses we see here. I'll put a photo here, but again, check out our photo pages at http://travelingturtles.myphotoalbum.com/.